To Vitoria and a few more pics of Caceres

There was a demonstration in Caceres today. People here are suffering the economy as we are in the US. The Spanish are serious demonstrators !

Also, a couple if very nice sculptures.

What I saw from the bus:

I can't wait to walk these sections next year!

And finally,

after a looooooooong bus ride,

I reached Vitoria!

In May, 2014, I will walk the section 

of the VDLP

from Caceres to Salamanca.

Stay tuned...

VDLP 2013: Just a taste of Caceres

Just a taste of Caceres. Tomorrow I will take lots of photos. It is a beautiful old town!

Inside the Tower 

Spiral Staircase, looking down...

Beautiful stump work

Penitants

Cistern under the museum

VDLP 2013 - Day 8 - Caceres and Alberge Veletas

Albergue Veletas charged me 15 euros per night for a wee cell of my own. 

It's not the brightest place on the Camino 

but it is affordable, clean, and I have my own space

 and that makes me happy.

Walking out to find the tienda,

 I ran into Patsy from England and Elizabeth from Australia. 

They both are on the same Camino Santiago forum we all frequent.

They recognized me by my Macabi Skirt (which I have grown to love, by the way). 

It was like meeting old friends. 

I love that forum!

They paid 15 euro and were put into a 4-bed dorm 

which made me wonder if I had misunderstood my tariff. 

But I checked and 'todos son mismos' so all is well.

Being in old Caceres is like stepping back into a medieval town. 

A five minute walk from my Albergue and I'm lost in a time warp. 

 And to make it even better, for some reason unknown to me, 

everything (almost) is free today!

I paid a euro to see each church. 

But more on those later. 

 Here are some photos of the Albergue and of my lunch! 

 There are so many good things to eat, 

my pack keeps getting heavier and heavier! 

 Hopefully, carrying this weight will make me lighter and lighter! Lol.

The black paste is black olive pâté. 

This was 2,55 euros and it can be carried in the mochilla in cool weather. 

It's a great option for a vegetarian. 

A little goes a long way. 

It has olives, oregano, salt. 

 Pâté Aceituna Negra. Yum!

I also picked up a 3-pack of olives stuffed with sardines. 

These are tiny cans and they have pop tops. 

They are good on a sandwich. (Bocadillo)

Lastly, I needed something sweet in the mornings 

so I got these tiny packets of marmalade.

Two naranjas y una tomate and now all I need is a donkey !

VDLP 2013: Aldea del Cano Albergue

There is one room with bunk beds here. Then another side room with bunks. Then a larger room with a single bed and two sets of bunks, for a total of 9 beds. There appear to be 3-4 mats available as well.

The walls do show evidence, indeed, of prior chincha (bedbug) residence, so pilgrim be aware. However, the hospitalero at Alcuescar assured me it is still too cold for the little buggers. I hope like hell he is right!!

There is a nicely stocked kitchen, a good hot shower, a washing machine (but no clothesline), and thank God, a heater!

I'm happy, at least for tonight. :)

A nice kitchen

And HEATERS to help dry the clothes!

VDLP 2013: Living on the Camino

I met a lady and her dog this morning soon after leaving Alcuescar.
She was tucked into her tent
which she had erected inside a tiny stone building along the Camino.

This afternoon, she appeared at the Albergue, dog in tow.
When I asked her how she got the dog to Spain (she is German)
she said he is a Spanish dog.
When I asked how she will get him home,
she said 'The Camino is my home!'

She has been living on the Camino for three years!
 She just travels,
making the circuit of the various Camino routes.
She is a victim of the economy
and I guess, for her, this is a viable option.

She let me take her photo.
Her name is Petra and her pooch is Mambo.
 She is very nice and a good source of information.

I have to wonder how many others claim the Camino as their home?

Meanwhile, here are some photos of the albergue:

VDLP 2013 Day 7 - Alcuescar to Aldea del Cano

The trail today was interesting. 

There were times I was walking 

through fields of wildflowers, literally. 

It is a beautiful Camino in the Spring!

If you are following Melanie's app, 

there were again some differences.

 I got to a place out of Alcuescar where the MAIN road 

curved around to the left 

and there was a small dirt path (with a flecha) off to the right (as her app states). 

She says stay on the main road. 

So I did. And guess what? 

 The road made a circular turn, 

passed a hito pointing back to a different trail toward the Camino

 and began heading back to Alcuescar. 

In fact, I met pilgrims coming toward me.

Oooookay! 

 So I turned around and followed the new path by the hito, 

which appeared to be in the correct direction.

 Soon I saw Casas ahead.

But then, 

I decided to stay on the main trail and not turn off to Casas. 

It worked out great. 

At the big highway I turned right and walked about 1/4 mile to the trailhead,

 missing the climb into and out of Casas.

I arrived in Aldea before noon

 and was surprised to find 5 of the 9 best beds 

being saved by a Spanish pilgrim who had bussed here early this morning.

 SAVED!

A few folks who had planned on staying moved on. 

I grabbed a bed.

Then while I was in the bar, 

an official looking dude came in 

to discuss booking the Albergue for workers on the rail and road.

 I understand the are already booking beds up ahead. 

That sucks. 

Several walkers from the forum are having trouble up ahead.

So I'm thinking I may stop at Caceres this year and bus to Pamplona. 

Maybe I will just do the VDLP in stages; 

a little section each year. 

But we will see. 

I tend to change direction with the wind.

I do know I don't have the stamina nor the will to race for beds. 

I'm here to walk. 

 I will decide after the rain stops

VDLP 2013: Alcuescar Albergue

They used to serve poor children here.

Beautiful entrance to the Albergue.

The Chapel