Tag Archives: Spain culture

Camino de Santiago, Spain

Preparing for the Camino de Santiago Primitivo

We are preparing for the Camino de Santiago Primitivo which is listed as World Heritage. This particular way of the camino is the route that Alfonso II King of Asturias followed to make his pilgrimage. He took this route to go to the tomb of the Apostle James in the 9th century.

The Primitivo is considered one of the most difficult routes in part because of the elevations and declines walking through some of the mountains. This is possibly one of the hardest routes of the existing Camino de Santiago. The route begins in Oviedo at the Cathedral of St Saviour. 

The Cathedral of Oviedo Spain. Starting point of the Camino Primitivo.

We have been preparing for the start of our camino by walking nearly every day. We began approximately a month and half prior to our planned camino. At the beginning we walked around 7 kilometres each day and slowly increased our daily distance to approximately 20 kilometres. We then began to carry our pack which was loaded with all our weight for the trip, it was around 5.5 Kilos. This was a challenge at first but was soon easier than expected. We then began walking up a steep incline route with our packs to help condition us for the Primitivo. This has helped to prepare us for the upcoming adventure.

Map of the Camino de Santiago Primitivo route

Packing for the Camino

We have been trying to ensure we bring only the items we will need on the Camino. Our goal is to carry our pack throughout the trip. 

If your interested in a detailed list of our gear and packsack check out this link  Our packing list

So we have our camino credentials,  planned our daily route and booked our rooms for each stage of the Camino.

The route has been broken down into fourteen days.

We will average around 23 kilometres each day, however the reality is some days we will walk almost 40 kms while others are only 15 kms. The terrain will be a challenge with steep inclines and declines over the mountains. We are excited and looking forward to start the adventure.  

¨Buen Camino¨

Spain

Benissa Spain

We took a day trip to Benissa Spain. This small town is located approximately an hour drive from the city of Alicante. It is one of the oldest towns located  on the Costa Blanca. It was originally established in 987 by the Moores. The name Benissa comes from the Arabic tribal name Beni-Hisa or Beni-Eyce, which means (sons of Christ).

Marble monument commemorating the establishment of the town of Benissa

We explored the old medieval town centre and came across some beautiful narrow streets, with decorative tiles, flowers and cast iron railings.

One of the narrow streets in Benissa Spain
Street in the medieval town centre of Benissa

There was a bakery and other cafe shops and pubs in and around the main square of the town . We found a nice pub and enjoyed a refreshment while enjoying the beautiful views.  

It was a great little town with a medieval city centre, that was well worth exploring.

“Disfruta la vida y explora tu mundo.”

Spain

Casa Mediterráneo in Alicante

Casa Mediterráneo in Alicante

We took a tour with a small group to a historic building called the Casa Mediterráneo. It is located in the downtown area of Alicante close to the bus station.

Shelley at the front of the Casa Mediterráneo in Alicante

The top tower of the building has a unique difference, can you spot it?

Top of Casa Mediterráneo in Alicante
Inside the Casa Mediterráneo

Casa Mediterráneo is a public consortium made up of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and other organizations.

It was the former train station of Alicante before it was converted into the Casa Mediterráneo.  Now the building is used to promote mutual interest between Spain and the rest of the countries of the Mediterranean basin. 

roof of the Casa mediterranean in Alicante
Roof area of the Casa Mediterranean in Alicante
View from rear of the Casa Mediterráneo

Some of the general uses of Casa Mediterráneo are to encourage or promote knowledge of the Euro-Mediterranean region. There are free concerts and other public events held in the Casa Mediterráneo.

Shelley and Ray in reflection from mirror in the Casa Mediterráneo

The design of the roof and frame was apparently designed by a student of the famous engineer Gustave Eiffel, the designer of the  Eiffel tower in Paris.

Ornate design of roof beams in Casa Mediterráneo
View of interior beams
Original metal located in the Casa Mediterráneo
Original train tracks located at the Casa Mediterráneo

The city of Alicante along with other agencies salvaged the building which was at one time left in disrepair. It has now become a repurposed building and a beautiful structure along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. 

Rear view of the Casa Mediterráneo

One of the many unique and beautiful buildings in Alicante.

“Deseamos que tenga un buen dia”

Spain

2020 Christmas in Alicante

The Christmas season is certainly different this year in Alicante. There are no major gatherings and all the fiestas are cancelled. Curfews are imposed and people are only able to gather in small groups. No more than two families with a total of 10 people can gather at Christmas. So it is just the two of us having a quiet Christmas at home. However the city has done a great job lighting up the city in a festive way.  We put on our mask and decided to take a walk around some of the areas of the city to check out the Christmas lights.

Shelley and Ray at the Esplanada d’Espanya in Alicante

Along our walk through the different barrios we would find different lights strung across the road. It was beautiful to see the array of lights and styles of decorations.

Lights across one of the main roads in Alicante

Some of the narrow streets had some intricate and interesting lights. The photo below  does not truly capture the ambiance of what it was like walking under the “stars” of that street.

Strings of lights along a narrow street in Alicante

Some of the plazas had displays of lights or even Christmas Nativity scenes. The plaza de la montañeta had both. There was a large ball decorated all in lights and people could go inside and walk through it.

Shelley and Ray in front of the Christmas ball in the plaza de la Montañeta.

There was also a display of a nativity scene and a village scape in the plaza. 

If you look closely you may see a familiar face.

Nativity scene at the Plaza de la montañeta

Several streets had basic lights across them, while others had more intricate lights. 

Shelley and Ray in front of gift box of lights

We walked down to the Ayutamiento (City Hall) and checked out the Plaça de l’Ajuntament. There was a large display of Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus. 

Large display with Baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph

Overall the Christmas decorations were beautiful although the atmosphere this year is one draped in uncertainty.  We wish everyone a safe, healthy Merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

“Feliz Navidad y un Feliz Año Nuevo”

Camino de Santiago, Spain

On the Camino de Sanitago

We began walking early every day at around 8 am or earlier.

Mark and Ray on the Camino de Santiago

Heading out early to beat the heat and enjoy the peaceful walk on the camino. The trails are well marked and easy to follow.

Typical marker along the camino trail.

We began our camino journey by walking along the streets of the camino leading through the town of Sarria and then along country paths.

Walking through the streets of Sarria on the Camino

Church in Sarria

We soon reached the countryside and began walking into some fields and walking upwards on some hills. The vistas were beautiful all along our way.

View of the roaming hills on the trail of the camino.

One of the many trails along the camino.

During the eight days we walked the camino, we came across some unique and interesting people and buildings. We walked through old Spanish hamlets and towns admiring some of the buildings and churches.

Old buildings along the camino de Santiago

One of the many churches along the camino

Old ruins of a building on the camino

There were religious crosses and other symbols along with some interesting animals.

One of the crosses along the camino.

Ray with a donkey along the camino

We would walk along with other pilgrims on the trail and chat with them about different aspects of the camino. Finally saying good  bye with the common phrase of “Buen Camino”.

Some of the many people we encountered on the Camino.

All along the camino we came across areas which had makeshift shrines. These shrines small stones, images of people and notes written to loved ones who had passed away.

One of the many shrines along the camino de Santiago.

We stopped to look at the shrines and read some of the notes left there by loved ones. It was a very moving experience to see so many along the camino trail.  Below are just a few of the camino memorials or shrines along the way.

One of the ad hoc shrines along the camino

One of the many signs along the camino.

We walked a total of 115 kilometres on the Camino from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela. Over that distance we saw many beautiful vistas and towns. Here are just some of the interesting things and vistas along our 8 day trek on the camino.

We arrived at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela around noon on the eight day.

Ray and Mark at the Cathedral of Santiago

It was a very rewarding and emotional adventure. The Camino de Santiago is an emotional, spiritual and physical adventure. You have to experience the camino to truly understand and appreciate the adventure.

Buen Camino!

“La vida es una aventura, vive tu aventura”