Today We Walk "The Way"

 

Today Bill and I will walk a couple of miles of The Way aka Camino de Santiago.

Yesterday we walked around Luarca and in the streets and park of Oviedo where we stayed the night. 

Oviedo, the capital city of the principality of Asturius, is a beautiful and clean city is in Northern Spain. 

https://cityofoviedo.net/

Annie stayed in Oviedo last year before embarking on the Camino Primivito, a 220-plus mile walk through the rugged but beautiful mountains of the region. 

So, it was nice for her to return to the city and show us around.  We enjoyed walking the hilly streets, admiring store-window displays, and getting another stamp on our  honorary Camino passports at the Cathedral. 

We also had a fabulous meal near our hotel.  During that time, we wished that we knew Spanish better, as the couple at the table next to us were unhappy with their meal.  They were so unhappy that while she penned out at least a three-page complaint, he complained vociferously and at length to the staff.

The drama lasted at least half an hour, allowing him enough time to take a short smoke break before verbally accosting the next employee he could find. 

Ironically, when they finally left, we saw him shaking hands with the manager and giving him hugs. Maybe that's the Spanish way of getting your point across. 

We also visiting Luarco yesterday, fulfilling the wishes of a person who could easily take on the job as Luarca's Chamber of Commerce director. 

My brother Mike and his wife Mary fell in love with Luarca when they visited last year.  They will visit again next year, spending the month of August in the adorable and scenic little town on the Bay of Biscay.

We knew Mike would be extremely happy that we visited the place, and it turned out that we were very happy indeed as we walked the streets and spotted big lunker fish in the crystal clear stream that runs through the city.

It's, indeed, a lovely place, and we can understand their passion to return and spend more time. 

All of the country through which we traveled yesterday was lovely---lots of tree-covered mountainsides, dotted with red tile roofs and a host of impressive viaducts--all named. 

Of course, we didn't mind seeing the horses and cattle grazing in the hills and valleys all along our way. 

As noted earlier, we shall walk today. Annie has plotted out a little area along the Camino that she just completed.  She try to select a stretch between small towns so we can get some real Camino flavor.  

Thanks to orthopedic and physical therapy helpers who have tended to our respective knee problems, we should do okay for a couple of Camino miles. 

For me, it's a dream come true.  Ever since Annie walked her first 500-mile Camino Francais a few years ago, I have secretly dreamed of having the experience.  

Today's walk may not be the long haul that she just completed, but it will give us a sense of the pilgrim experience that has captured her heart. 

And, that means so much to both Bill and me.

Stay tuned and enjoy the photos. 

Mafalda is an Argentine comic strip  written and drawn by cartoonist Quino.   

The strip features a six-year-old girl named Mafalda, who reflects the Argentine middle class and progressive youth, is concerned about humanity and world peace, and has an innocent but serious attitude toward problems.

 The comic strip ran from 1964 to 1973 and was very popular in Latin America, Europe, Quebec and Asia. 

Its popularity led to books and two animated cartoon series. Mafalda has been praised as masterful satire.

from Wikipedia

Not a lot of these in the parts of Spain where we are traveling.  Bill said this one would not have won the "tidiest toilet" contest. 

Border Collies everywhere.  We always like to do a Border Collie count in Ireland.  

We had no idea we would see SO many in Spain.  It does our hearts good because every time we travel, we miss our own beloveds so much.