Camino Primitivo - On The Way!

Day One - I am flying from Seattle to Madrid on August 1st 2021 and will start walking from Oviedo probably a few days later, will need to adjust to European time zone. I am planning to complete the route to Santiago de Compostela in about 15 days, there are 15 stages... I am not planning to rush it, but rather enjoy and learn. Then, if I will still have a courage, I am planning to continue Camino Finisterre-Muxia to the Atlantic Ocean (End of the World) for another 5-6 days.

MADRID I slept most of the day today at the hotel (jet lag) and walked about 9 miles in the evening. I walked from Chamartin to the city center Calle Gran Via and back to the hotel where I’m staying overnight because the train to Oviedo leaves tomorrow early morning.

A few highlights today:

• Everyone smokes cigarets here, everyone… even young teenagers. Everywhere. Walk in a street with a cigarette, in a cafe or restaurant. But I didn’t smell weeds, unlike in Seattle.

• Streets are clean and not so many graffiti, not obsessed with advertising, unlike New York or Moscow.

• No traffic! And it’s Monday… many motorcycles and bicycles, very convenient to park on streets.

• People are dressed nicely, women AND men. Dresses, heels, shirts and breeches are very bright and colorful, unlike mostly black and gray we see in Seattle.

• Food - tapas are awesome! Small dishes like appetizers size, you can try and share many different. Beer and wine (sangria mmm😋) you can buy even at ice cream shop. Many people just seat at a street cafe, sip coffee or beer and smoke cigarettes. Not many people are actually eat, just maybe tourists.

• Beautiful architecture. I didn’t had a chance to see a lot today, but I’m planning to come back for a couple days on my way back home to explore this beautiful city, I’m flying back home from Madrid and will need to do a test 48 hrs before leaving (&$% # COVID-19)

OVIEDO

The capital of Asturias. Not so small, very cute medieval historical town, the site of the Gothic Oviedo Cathedral with its 9th-century Holy Chamber. Narrow pavement streets, old buildings, lots of churches and street cafes where people just seating and watching life passing by…

Spanish Gothic architecture

two monks, Máximo and Fromestano, founded the city in 761.

Reminds me of French Strasbourg.

This is what happen when you don’t speak Spanish. Asked for one sangria. The waitress brought one pitcher instead of one glass… I guess I’ll seat here for a while lol glad it’s a nice square with the cathedral and quiet street.

some sculptures just puzzle me ….

from the other side looks just the same.

When they say “Camino will provide” is a magical. Whatever I needed I was able to find very easily today, I just walk into it.

I was able to obtain my credentials and Asturias map at the one of infiltration centers. Starting my Way tomorrow morning. First stage 27 km. Hope I can make it!

P/S. I’m not sure what is a WiFi situation at Albergues, so I might not post daily as I’m going to walk in a rural area. But I’ll update as much as I can. Stay tuned!