Larry and Jane Kies (retired from GBGM and Africa University)

Sep 26
Yesterday I had hoped to post pictures from our walk, but the 18 miles (30 km) left me a zombie…. I did briefly attend another Mass- a reminder that we have seen so many BEAUTIFUL churches, some built over a millennium ago. The statue early this morning was also a reminder of the centuries of pilgrimages made by peregrinos (pilgrims) as part of their faith. This morning when we set out, the moon supplemented the light from Jane’s headlamp. We were delighted to find a food truck after an hour, since the first village was 17 km (over ten miles) from Carrion, which had nothing open that early. And what a surprise to find a Camino Real (Royal Road) albergue (hostel)- the title of the textbook used by my high school classmates who took Spanish (although I was a Latin student).

Sep 24
After 21 days of walking 376 km (226 miles) on the Camino in Spain, we have 424 km (254 miles) remaining. Most cities and villages do not have streets laid out in grids, so when we left Castrojeriz this very early morning, we were thankful for pavement stones that formed arrows pointing in the correct direction. At a later intersection in what seemed like the middle of nowhere we saw another arrow formed by a heap of stones. Other highlights- another beautiful sunrise; LARGE expanses of rolling bare fields (and little or no shade); an ancient six-arch stone bridge; granadilla flowers given the name ‘passion fruit’ because of the symbolism that Spanish priests saw in the floral and plant structures reminiscent of Jesus Christ and his crucifixion. Another wonderful day- thanks to all who are walking with us vicariously!

Sep 23
We continue walking the Camino in Spain- impressive cathedral in Burgos; a PRIVILEGE to briefly walk the Camino with all four children plus Christine; a fresh- water cray-fisherman catching ingredients for the local paella dish; pre-dawn starts that allowed us to see Orion, a familiar constellation in both northern and southern hemispheres;wind turbines galore (Spain is 7th in the world and 2nd in Europe); church belles (with credit to GW).

Sep 21
On the Camino, now in Burgos, Spain, after an 18-mile (30 km) walk yesterday- where we were treated to yet another HUGE surprise in the evening! While on the Camino path, we came across flowers called ‘naked ladies’ because they appear as blooms in the rocky soil, with no leaves visible. Also known as Meadow Saffron (Colchicum autumnale), they are not related to the plants that yield saffron spice, and are poisonous if confused with wild garlic.

Sep 19
On the Camino in Spain, we stay in a variety of accommodations…private homes, hotels, and (often), albergues, which are dormitories shared with sometimes 20 or 30 other perigrinos (pilgrims). The large rooms are communal, but the toilets and showers are segregated for male and female. On the walk today, with my limited Spanish I called out the name of one of my sisters and the man selling watermelon replied, “Si- monkey!!” (Mona = monkey in Spanish).

Sep 18
On the Camino in Spain- 250 km (150 miles) walked, 550 km (330 miles) to go! A church built into a mountainside, dancing Gangnam style with Koreans we met on the path, LOTS of sunflowers, Ben re-joined us with a HUGE surprise.

Sep 17

On the Camino in Spain…yesterday for the first time we walked in the rain when we set out before dawn, and for short periods during the day. The spectacular scenery, including huge stacks of wheat straw bales, helps energize us. An extraordinary treat to close the day was attending Mass in a cathedral… a special attribute of the Catholic Mass is that, if one is familiar with the liturgy, it is possible to follow along no matter the language used (in this case, Spanish, which we do not understand). Attending Mass was a reminder that for centuries the Camino was a pilgrimage, and for most perigrinos (pilgrims) the long days of walking offer time to reflect on their lives and their relationships, including with the Creator.

Sep 15

The last two days walking the Camino in Spain have seen some beautiful sunrises, since we set off before dawn to avoid the heat of the day. This region the path is lined with grape vineyards- one worker kindly allowed me to video his labor while harvesting. Several times we have been treated to figs from trees along the road, and last night I discovered the delicious local non-alcoholic beer, Estrella Galicia Tostada. If I look a bit floozy in the picture it is from the nearly 13 mile (21.2 km) walk, the last 3 hours in the scorching afternoon- the contents of the bottle were only refreshing!

Sep 13

Day 9 of walking the Camino with 14 miles (24 km), with a pre-dawn start to beat the heat. A GOOD part of the day was spent in Viana, where residents were celebrating a traditional feast with giants parading, and most people were in national dress (including Ben and two new friends). The highlight was a running of the bulls, an event usually associated with Pamplona. We also placed a memorial stone for Angela, my late niece. For the first time on this trip someone recognized my Africa University cap! Rev Paul Fleck is a United Methodist pastor who works with Immigration Justice in the New York conference.

Sep 12.

Yesterday and today on the Camino….new as well as repeated delight…communal meals including with a Palestian theologian, pre-dawn starts with long shadows, vineyards laden with grapes, wheat fields with stubble after harvest but a few stalks remaining, plants with snails attached, a friendly Spanish nun offering directions to Jane, a beautiful beyond description church, a blacksmith’s exquisite creations….we are so thankful!