Author Archives: Jaminmama

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About Jaminmama

The Camino experience has inspired and enticed me for many years. The thought of hiking, exploring, and meeting people from all over the world finally took form in 2009. My husband Vern and I made plans and set off for Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, France, the popular start of The Camino Frances. We met Lisa, from Germany and have stayed in touch by visiting each other's homes and occasional video calls. This year, 2022, we will once again walk: this time the Camino del Norte and the Camino Primitivo.

Orio to Zauratz

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Day 3.

4.7 Miles, 7.6 K.

Written On April 25, 2022

Pilgrim Tribute On The Way To Zauratz
A Camino WayMarker
A Golf Course On The Way to Zauratz

It was a beautiful day for walking. We chose a short distance for today, actually it was shorter than planned. We are just getting to know how to read the various apps and tools we are using.

Vern and I decided to use the Correos (Post Office) Backpack shipping service. We lightened our load, helping us to feel better and walk better due to injuries which we had before we entered Spain.

When we arrived at our Hotel in Zauratz our bags were not there. After a call to the Correos I realized that they did their best to reach me but my phone ringer was off. They no longer had drivers to deliver our bags. Vern and I were prepared to take a round trip taxi to Orio to get our bags. When I contacted the owner at Hostal Xaloa in Orio she insisted she would bring the bags to us!!!! Another example of Camino kindness!

Las Doce Tribus to Orio

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Day 2

12.6 Miles, 20.2 K

Written on April 24, 2022

Note: All locations in this blog, at this time are in Spain.

All distances are approximate.

David of Las Doce Tribus, Lisa, Antoni, Vern, Rhonda, Not Pictured-Nancy
First View Of San Sebastián

We left Las Doce Tribus after breakfast. Antoni from Poland joined us. We had a great time walking along the coastline. After awhile some of us struggled with discomfort. We stopped at a Bar after approximately 9.5 miles of walking and called for a taxi for travel of the last 3.1 miles. we are actively discussing options for relieving some of the extra weight of the backpack, etc.

Pasajes (Pasaia) To Las Doce Tribus – Day 1.

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Written on April 23, 2022

4.6 Miles, 7.4 k

A fishermen’s village. The house of Victor Hugo where the French writer lived in 1843. We started our walk directly from the Ferry.

Rhonda, Nancy, Vern and Lisa on first of many many stairs!

We walked uphill until we came to a rest area. The views as we walked were beautiful. We finally came to a Hostal: Las Doce Tribus. This Hostal is just what we needed: smiling faces, wonderful healthy food, comfortable beds and surrounded by beauty! Buen Camino!

Camino Team 2022

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Rhonda, Lisa, Vern and Nancy

Written on April 22, 2022.

Welcome Rhonda! Today we were exploring Irun, taking care of business: Nancy’s European SIM card needed help again, Rhonda needed a Pilgrim Passport, and we all mailed everything we didn’t want to carry to Santiago de Compostela. Along the way we met a Pilgrim from California who just needed a little support. Buen Camino!

La Sagrada Familia Basilica

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Written on April 21, 2022.

La Sagrada Familia Basilica- Barcelona, Spain
A Stained Glass Portal inside the Basilica.

We visited the Basilica on April, 18, 2022.

On March, 19, 1882 construction of the Sagrada Familia began under Architect, Francisco de Paula Del Villar. In 1843 when Villar resigned, Gaudí took over as Chief Architect, combining Gothic & Curvilinear Art Nouveau forms. Gaudí devoted the remainder of his life to the project and is buried in the crypt. At the time of his death in 1926, less than a quarter of the project was complete.

Some Angels Were Wearing United Airlines Uniforms On Saturday

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Written on April 19, 2022

On Saturday, April 16th Vern and I had flown into Denver, waiting for our flight to Frankfurt, Germany. While waiting I decided to check on our seats for the flight. Our flight had changed at least twice. The first Agent I spoke to, Anthony, (I apologize if this is not your name), directed me where to get information and asked me to come back and let him know what they said. I checked back with him. He then did some research and helped Vern & I get seats together….thank you! We had a great flight! On the flight to Frankfurt we met and spoke with a stewardess during take off and landing. She was fun to talk with and we hope to see her on our return flight back to the U.S. The best flying experience ever….no, I’m not getting paid😀

Casa Battló

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Written on April 18, 2022

Casa Battló, Barcelona, Spain,

Mr. Joseph Battló granted full creative freedom to Antoni Gaudí between 1904 – 1906 to demolish the above property or restore. Gaudí completely changed the façade and converted the inside into a true work of art. This property is now a World Heritage Site.

A Small World?

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Nancy, Vern & Helen

Photo taken April 14, 2022

Vern and I drove two hours from our home to Medford, Oregon. We were going to stay in a motel and take an early morning flight to Barcelona, Spain. As we were coming out of the R.E.I. store we saw our good friend, Helen! Helen lives two and a half hours from the store. It was fun to see each other and a good way to start our trip.

Intention, Set, Go!

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Walking In Spain is Possible, Flying to Spain is Optimal

Vern, I and Lisa had set the intention years ago to walk the Camino del Norte. We had originally talked about walking from Germany, starting point to Santiago de Compostela would be approximately 1,700 miles. Vern and I decided that the four months required would be too much time from Charlie and Rosie, our Cocker Spaniels. We then agreed that Irun, Spain (on the French/Spanish border) would be a great place to meet and start.

Setting the intention was the easy part. Now we would take care of whatever is needed to get to Irun, sometime in 2022. The list of events and practical steps to prepare for an approximately 580 mile walk is ever-changing, not to mention world events, personal, physical events, known and unknown. It has been a strange path. Every time something had to be dealt with like Vern’s knee replacements, we never gave up our intention. We knew it would be ok and we would carry on. In March 2020 during the initial Shelter In Place orders it was unclear what the future would hold but I never doubted that everything would be sorted by 2022. We had chosen 2022 years ago because 2021 was a scheduled Holy Year in Spain. (The July 25th birth of St. James on a Sunday initiates Holy Year). Due to the Lock Down in 2020, 2022 is now also a Holy Year. I have heard many times that when the intention is set, the Camino has begun. Another belief is: Life Is What Happens When You Are Making Plans!!