To Colmenar Viejo

I have absolutely NO idea why there is this huge blank space up above.

Arriving in Madrid was nice.  I had been to the Atocha Rail Station several times, but Joe hadn't seen it. They've put in a nice arboretum with lots of beautiful plants - I almost lost my walking partner in the jungle!

Next morning, we walked to the Santiago Church to pick up our Credentials for the walk to Sahagun.  We began early in the morning, so there weren't a lot of people on the sidewalks.  It was quiet and cool. I loved it.

I laughed when I saw this sculpture of a crashed angel!

Look closely!

Poor old angel!

The Church is easy to find.
Just look for Calle de Santiago!
It was early and the door was locked.

The Church was getting a facelift.

The priest was having his coffee - 

but he opened the door and gave us our Credentials. 

Hooray!

My first sello this Camino!

Today we caught the train to Tres Cantos and walked to Colmenar Viejo.  The walk was about 13 kilometers and if this is a preview of what is to come on this route, all I can say is, "Wow!' What a beautiful walk it was. We went through farmland, cottonwood meadows, saw sheep, cows, friendly horses, red tail hawks, kestrels, and dozens of storks. 

I love seeing the storks!

We are now very happily resting in our 60 Euro double room in El Gran Hostal Chiscon. To find this place at the opposite end of the town, I suggest you ask directions for the bull ring. Then instead of turning right to go to the bullring, turn left. You can't miss it. It's large and beautiful. A luxury for a pilgrim but for now the only bed in town we've been able to find. 

From the entrance to town, just follow the flechas amarillas up and to your left, past the Cathedral, up the street. At the far end of town you will turn left at the second rotunda. 

The address is Frailes, 91, Colmenar Viejo, 28770 and you can book via booking.com

Here is a photo of our room. 

As far as ease goes, the way was very well marked except for one place.

ATTENTION:  Here are a couple if notes you may want to keep.

We took the Corcanius from Atocha station to Tres Cantos to begin our walk. That same train stopped at Chamartin station in case you stay closer to that station. The ticket was only 2,55 Euros and you are looking for Line C4. Take the one that ends in Colmenar Viejo. 

• When you arrive in Tres Cantos, to find the Camino, exit the train station. 
• Turn LEFT. 
• Walk to the corner past a nice hotel. 
• Turn LEFT again. 
• Walk to the corner, past a supermarket and go under the highway. 
• Turn LEFT again. 
• Walk Up a short hill, then turn RIGHT to cross over the freeway on a bridge. 
• The first yellow arrow is at the beginning of that bridge. 
• Go over the bridge then cross over to the left, following the arrows. 
• Cross again immediately to the right and you go up into a dirt parking lot across from a small water plant. 
• WATCH Carefully to your right. 
• The Camino goes to the RIGHT alongside the freeway for a bit but very soon turns scenic.
• If you are walking from Madrid or Golosco and need food and water, cross that bridge to go back into town to a very nice and convenient market. It's at most a 5 minute detour. 
• 
  
• Take care - few kilometers past Tres Cantos there was a milario that had been knocked down. It was on the right hand side. There were arrows pointing back toward town and also UP a steep hill to a farm. IGNORE this and continue straight on the dirt track. 
• 
  
• This walk goes uphill gradually but if you are not in shape (like me) it won't be easy. Once you reach the cemetery there is a break, but then it's uphill again into town

We saw only one fountain about half way. It did have a shell on it but we were too tired to go see if it was potable. If nothing else you could cool off there. 

The cool, cool fountain

The next fountain is at the town entrance. The water is cold and sweet !  It is right past a tony chapel next to the rotunda leading into town. 

If you have any questions , just ask. I'm trying to make these notes while it is fresh on my mind. 

Joe is happy to be near town. See the waymark above his head ?

OMG!!!I just cut my photos out!  I'm gonna cry. It's hard blogging on a phone. Let me go see if I can find them. 

They are gone. Oh noooo!  

Plenty of places to eat and buy supplies here. I picked up a nice sturdy umbrella at the China Store here. Paid 6 euros. 

Tomorrow we walk to Manzanares and I promise photos. 

I'm sad about today's photo fiasco. But trust me when I say the walk was lovely. By the way, we have not seen another pilgrim today!!

Love, Annie

Getting from Madrid to Pamplona and more on Pickpockets

Getting to Pamplona From Madrid

FROM MADRID, you can fly, take the train, or take a bus.

Arriving in Madrid is a treat! 

The airport is very modern and beautiful! 

Madrid Airport

Flying is nice, but Spain really is a bus country. Many bus companies offer good, clean and safe service across the country, and most of the buses are beautiful Mercedes Benz buses! Nothing like the old broken down Greyhounds you find in the USA!

An ALSA Bus

There are both regional bus companies and a few national ones. Alsa is one of the national companies, and one way to get from the airport to Pamplona when you first arrive.

A CONDA Bus.

 Conda is another bus company that takes people from the Madrid airport to Pamplona.

If you fly into Madrid, there are buses that leave directly from Terminal 4 at Barajas. There is a machine where you can buy a ticket at the exit near the taxi parking  The machine takes credit cards or cash (euros). 

On ALSA, you have change buses, usually in Burgos or Zaragoza, which makes the trip a bit longer. However, it is not a difficult change, especially if you speak a bit of Spanish. 

The Conda buses go direction from Madrid to Pamplona with no change. This option is the also cheapest, coming in around 23-35€.

Arrivals from North America, Asia, South America or Australia are better served from Madrid. Catch a bus directly from the airport to Pamplona or take the metro (or Circanius train) from Madrid airport to Atocha metro station where you can connect with the high-speed train (AVE) to Pamplona in 3 hours.

Arrivals from Europe, fly directly to Bilbao, Biarritz or Zaragoza then travel by bus or rental car to Pamplona in less than 2 hour drive.

CATCHING THE BUS

There are ALSA buses to Pamplona several times a day.

You must change buses once.Check schedules at www.alsa.es 

There are CONDA buses going directly to Pamplona. 

No stops, no changes.
Check schedules at www.movelia.es

The prices between ALSA and CONDA buses differ by 10-30 euros. You can purchase your ticket online or at the airport. 

GETTING TO T4 in MADRID

Your ticket should tell you which terminal you are flying into.
If you are purchasing online, be sure to give yourself enough time to get off the plane, go through customs, pick up your baggage (not suggested to check bags), and get to the T4 terminal.
It will say T1, T2, etc.

There is a bus going from terminal to terminal in Madrid. It costs less than 2 euros and can be caught downstairs and out front of your arrival terminal. Last time I took it, it was a blue/green bus and to the RIGHT after you walked out of the terminal.

ASK FOR HELP.

Find someone wearing a GREEN jacket and ask if they can help you. Or find the Information desk. They will speak English there. You will recognize it because there is a large yellow "i" above it.

Information Desk

Tell them you are looking for the ticket office for the CONDA or ALSA bus to Pamplona. (whichever you decide on) They will direct you. 

Most of the signs in the Madrid airport are in English as well as Spanish. So it's really easy to find your way around - it's just LARGE!  They also give you the time it will take you to walk to the gate which is helpful.

Getting to Other Terminals

I find the bus the easiest and safest. To get a shuttle bus, the boarding platform is just outside the exit. They often allow you to purchase tickets right there next to the bus – so watch for that. This bus also goes into downtown Madrid. ASK. Sometimes the line is long, but it goes fast. 

The bus from T1 to T4 takes about 20 minutes. 

Going in direction T1 to T4, you want to be on the 1st Floor at the departures level.

(Going direction T4 to T1, you have to be on the Arrivals level, which is the Planta Baja, Lower level)

The terminal to terminal bus runs every 5 minutes between 6:30 a.m. and 23:30. From 23:30 - 1:50 a.m. it runs every 20 minutes; from 1:50 -6:30, every 40 minutes

Getting to your gate at T4 could be a long haul. But it's very well marked, with lots of indication about how much time it will take (though the times posted are very generous and you usually arrive in much less time than they indicate).

A tip -- The elevators in T4 are usually much quicker than the escalators because of the distances between upper and lower levels. 

There is an excellent blog on taking the shuttle into the city at this link:

Madridman's Blog

Taking the Train from Madrid to Pamplona 

FINDING THE RENFRE CIRCANIUS

When I was there last year, the Circanius RENFRE office was downstairs right next to where you go through the stiles to catch the train. It was very tiny and could have been a temporary office. Honestly, I'm not sure. But you can ask at the info desk in the airport and they will direct you.

In the airport, at the RENFRE Circanius station you can purchase a Tarjeta Dorada card for 5 euros. Then you can just show it to bus or train agents and possibly get nice discounts. Here is a link to more information about that card: 

http://www.renfe.com/EN/viajeros/tarifas/tarjeta_dorada.html

This card is mainly for train travel, but I even got a discount at the museum in Merida with my card. It never hurts to ask! 

When you arrive in Madrid, you will arrive at either terminal T2 or T4.  You can take the METRO to Atocha Metro Station and walk to the Renfre Station. Or you can take the Circanius to Atocha Station. It takes you right into the train station.

Atocha is the main train station in Madrid. There, you will find trains to destinations all over Europe. It's a big place and is beautiful inside. 

Atocha Station

The Circanius is a train that goes from the airport to Atocha and back all day long. You catch it on the lower floor of T4. Get your ticket from the tiny Renfre office right at the entrance to the train, or from the kiosks. 

There are signs in the airport that will lead you to both the Metro and the Circanius. 

If you are traveling by train, BE AWARE OF WHERE YOU ARE. They do not announce the stops. This is not such a problem during the daytime. You can watch for signs out your window.  But at night, the signs are difficult to see. Don't be afraid to ASK people sitting near you. They are used to tourists and are generally very helpful.

If you do decide to take the train, here are a few videos that will help you become familiar with the territory. Sorry, they're in Spanish, but you can stop them and study the screens on the ticket machine. 

(Often if there is a local, they will help you. Look for young people who may speak English.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4Lu8Y9e-qU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pz7ZAlIcigQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkTMY679M7k

You want to choose ADULTO IDA  (Adult one way) and then your destination.

IF YOU TAKE THE METRO ... WATCH YOUR BELONGINGS!
It is like being in a sardine can and the pickpockets are working!
Be sure your money, cards, cameras are really secure.
If you have zippers, I close them with a safety pin or even wire until I get to my destination. Hold your hand over your purse or pocket.  Be AWARE. 

I know I harp on this, but it can save you some grief. 
Last year in Barcelona, Joe and I got slimed with the "bird poop" scam. We knew what was going on and as soon as the guy approached, we yelled at him. He ran. If we had not know about it, we would have thought he was just a nice man in a business suit wanting to help us.  And we could have lost a lot.

Read my blog on pickpockets.  Know their schemes.

I'm going to post photos at the bottom of this blog to remind you.

Getting to Pamplona From Other Cities:

From Bilbao (169km)

Train No trains available to Pamplona.
Car (1.5 hours) Direction Bilbao-San Sebastian-Pamplona. Take tha A15 from San Sebastian direct to Pamplona. You can also go via Bilbao-Vitoria-Pamplona, 2.2 hrs. We don t́ recommend this route as it has lots of curves and it’s not free either!
Bus (1.5 hours) Arrive to Bilbao ś Central Bus Station and take La Burundesa autobuseslaunion.com Tel: +34 944 271111.

From Biarritz (128km)

Train No train available to Pamplona.
Car (1.5 hours) Take the A63/E70 & cross the border into Spain. Stay on the E70/A8 direction Biarritz- Irún-San Sebastian-Pamplona.
Bus (1 hours) Bus from Biarritz to San Sebastian 12 noon and 6 pm pesa.net then change for a 2nd bus to Pamplona with La Conda condasa.com there are 7 daily buses starting at 7:15am and last bus at 8:30 pm. Telephone +34 943 461064

From San Sebastian (85km)

Train (1 hour 45) Train services from San Sebastian take about 1
hour 45 min to the Pamplona station, which is about 2km north of the old town. Tickets can be booked online in advance (strongly recommended) at Renfe.com.
Car (1 hour) Take the A15 direct to Pamplona and enjoy the scenery. Bus (1 hour) La Conda condasa.com there are 7 daily buses starting at 7:15am & last bus at 8:30 pm. Telephone +34 943 461064.

From Zaragoza (181km)

Train (2 hours) When you arrive at Zaragoza Train Station to connect to the High Speed Train (AVE). Tickets can be booked online in advance (strongly recommended) at Renfe.com.
Car (2 hours) Take the A2/E90 AP68 (toll roads) A68 direction Zaragoza-Tudela-Pamplona.

Bus (2 hours) La Conda condasa.com there are 7 daily buses starting at 7.15am & last bus at 8.30 pm. Tel: (0034) 976 333 372

AVENIDA DE AMERICA STATION.
Sometimes buses to Pamplona will leave from the Avenida de America bus station in Madrid.  Here is their address:

Intercambiador de Avda. de AméricaDirección: Avda de America, 9. Planta -1 C.P: 28028 Andén: 27 (Salidas y Llegadas) Planta -1
Horario: 5:30 h. a 01:30 h. (Largo recorrido) 

There are buses going regularly all day long from Madrid T4 to this station. You catch the bus outside the T4 terminal and it costs between 2-3 euros. The bus station is usually the last stop, but ASK the bus driver to please tell you when you arrive. 


How to Read an Horario (schedule)

If you are over 60, look for a box that says “Edad Dorada” which means “Golden Age.” This will get you a nice discount from 30 euros down to about 23 euros, depending on the day of the week.

IDA means "One-Way." 

IDA y VUELTA means “there and return.” 
SALIDA = Departure Time 

LLEGADA = Arrival Time 

ORIGEN = Origen 

DESTINO = Destination 

DURACION = Duration of Trip 

PRECIO = Price 

PRECIO PROMO – Promotional Price* 

Sometimes there is a special price war going on

PLAZAS – LIBRE = This means places are not assigned. You can sit anywhere. Some have assigned seats, so check your ticket when you get it.

LMXJVSD – These are the days of the week this bus/train runs: Lunes (Monday), Martes (Tuesday), Miercoles (Wednesay), etc.Learn the days of the weeks in Spanish. It will make your trip much simpler. 

Be aware that unlike USA calendars, calendars in Spain begin on MONDAY and end on SUNDAY, so it can be confusing.

If you have updated information or questions, please post them in the comment section.

Buen Camino, Peregrinos!

******************

A few photos to enlighten you!

The above photo shows a common scam along the Camino as well as in the large cities of Europe. Bright eyed, beautiful teenagers will approach you with a folder, or a clipboard, wanting to tell you about deaf people or some political issue. As soon as you see them approaching, WAVE THEM OFF AND SHOUT "NO!"  And be very aware of your pockets. See the girl picking the pocket of the man listening to the other pretty lady?

A girl watching for your pin number. She has the pad positions memorized.

If someone is standing too closely when you are at the ATM, wave them back and even yell at them if they don't move!  It's best to do banking in the larger cities with a partner who can stand back to back with you and watch your surroundings. Be aware of quick handed money grabbers. Keep your hand over the slot that distributes the cash and the card.  Don't be paranoid, but don't let your guard down. They watch for distracted tourists.  If someone wants to talk to you while you're at the ATM, shout them away!  No need to be polite. They count on that!

Haha! 

I have seen this scam in action on stairs and escalators.

Someone in front of you will drop a bunch of change, 

or a package, and items will scatter.

They count on your help picking things up.

While you are helping, their partner is helping themselves to your goods.

I know it's tough, but walk on by.

Yes, they DO!

I"m just reading the paper… and making some money!

This is not the Madrid Metro, but this is how crowded it can be.

Don't trust anyone. Even nice old grandpa types, and ESPECIALLY if they're holding a sweater or jacket over their arm!  Move away from them! Put your back against the wall if you can.

Distracted by a Street Performer while the pickpocket's partner gets the goods.

How they work with a jacket over their arm.

It's not just men. It's women like your sister, mom, or child.

So sorry to have to post these photos, but you need to be aware.

Please read my blog on pickpockets.

These folks don't think like you do.

They are proud of what they do and have no shame in getting caught.

Know what to expect.

Stay alert.

Then relax and have a Buen Camino.