A bit of the Camino de Santiago..
Jan 9th, 2012, 07:28 PM
#103
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Hello,
I've been busy looking into logistics, booking accommodations, and looking into airfare (not done that yet, it's so high!). We've decided to start walking from O'Cebreiro on 6/28(today I booked hotel there for the night of 6/27). As of now we're planning to travel to Piedrafita do Cebreiro by ALSA bus from León.
Would appreciate any comments about the segment between Triacastela and Samos. I'm reading that it's a paved road and that it could be dangerous/ scary for walkers? Is it like a highway? If its not a pleasant walk I would rather take a taxi from Triacastela to Samos, visit the monastery and then keep walking to Sarria.
Looking forward to any comments! Thank you!
I've been busy looking into logistics, booking accommodations, and looking into airfare (not done that yet, it's so high!). We've decided to start walking from O'Cebreiro on 6/28(today I booked hotel there for the night of 6/27). As of now we're planning to travel to Piedrafita do Cebreiro by ALSA bus from León.
Would appreciate any comments about the segment between Triacastela and Samos. I'm reading that it's a paved road and that it could be dangerous/ scary for walkers? Is it like a highway? If its not a pleasant walk I would rather take a taxi from Triacastela to Samos, visit the monastery and then keep walking to Sarria.
Looking forward to any comments! Thank you!
Jan 11th, 2012, 08:46 AM
#104
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Hi, Maria,
The last time I walked this segment was probably 5 or 6 years ago, so my memory may be a bit fuzzy. At that time, there was one short stretch on a shoulder of a not terribly busy road leaving Triacastela. Very quickly, though, you turned off onto old paths (suitable for cart, horse, or pedestrian but nothing larger) going through green tunnels alongside hillsides and on river's edge and through tiny hamlets where several people still live. It was beautiful. There are some scary highway shoulder parts of the Camino Frances, but I don't think anyone would rate the road leaving Triacastela as high on the list.
The other thing is that for me, the most beautiful thing about the Samos monastery is coming upon it from above. Though it's nice to walk through, it's not terribly well preserved and there's lots of relatively modern replacement of the original romanesque. You would miss that view from up high if you took a taxi. There the monastery sits in the valley and you are on top looking down, very pretty. Are you planning to spend the night in Samos? I've stayed there twice in two different places (even for a hard core nut like me, the albergue was just way too off-putting -- cold, clammy, dark, moldy, etc), both of which are fine and I can give you pros and cons if you want. Samos is not much of a town but it does have some commerce.
Buen camino! Looks like you are making great progress with your plans, Laurie
The last time I walked this segment was probably 5 or 6 years ago, so my memory may be a bit fuzzy. At that time, there was one short stretch on a shoulder of a not terribly busy road leaving Triacastela. Very quickly, though, you turned off onto old paths (suitable for cart, horse, or pedestrian but nothing larger) going through green tunnels alongside hillsides and on river's edge and through tiny hamlets where several people still live. It was beautiful. There are some scary highway shoulder parts of the Camino Frances, but I don't think anyone would rate the road leaving Triacastela as high on the list.
The other thing is that for me, the most beautiful thing about the Samos monastery is coming upon it from above. Though it's nice to walk through, it's not terribly well preserved and there's lots of relatively modern replacement of the original romanesque. You would miss that view from up high if you took a taxi. There the monastery sits in the valley and you are on top looking down, very pretty. Are you planning to spend the night in Samos? I've stayed there twice in two different places (even for a hard core nut like me, the albergue was just way too off-putting -- cold, clammy, dark, moldy, etc), both of which are fine and I can give you pros and cons if you want. Samos is not much of a town but it does have some commerce.
Buen camino! Looks like you are making great progress with your plans, Laurie
Jan 11th, 2012, 06:15 PM
#105
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Laurie, thank you for making that point about viewing the monastery from above and for clarifying the "landscape" of the walk between Triacastela and Samos. Actually, the description that gave me concern I read in just one source, others didnt mention it so I'm glad its apparently exagerated.
We're not planning to spend the night in Samos. However, I'm still looking for places in Triacastela. Any recommendations? I'm looking at Casa Pacios, a casa rural in nearby Vilavella, and a pensión called Casa David in Triacastela. Do you know any of these?
We are planning to arrive Santiago on July 5th and have reservations at the Altair.
We're not planning to spend the night in Samos. However, I'm still looking for places in Triacastela. Any recommendations? I'm looking at Casa Pacios, a casa rural in nearby Vilavella, and a pensión called Casa David in Triacastela. Do you know any of these?
We are planning to arrive Santiago on July 5th and have reservations at the Altair.
Jan 12th, 2012, 05:14 PM
#106
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Well, I am a real sucker for old stone houses, and the Casa Pacios looks lovely. I haven't stayed there or seen it, but mundicamino says it's right on the Camino, about 2.5 km before Triacastela.
Triacastela is not much of a town, I remember a couple of pretty bad meals in not so great places. I have stayed in the albergue a couple of times and once in a pension but I don't think it was Casa David. So you wouldn't be giving up a great meal or anything by staying out of town in the Casa Rural.
One thing that is kind of special about Triacastela is the priest -- I remember going to a late afternoon mass there, I confess it was more than anything to see the inside of the church, and the priest dispensed with most of the mass and spent the time talking with us about spirituality, life, meaning -- some of those topics that come up with great regularity on the camino. He gave us the standard pilgrim's blessing, which is beautiful. I don't know if he's still there, but it was a special experience.
I may actually be in Santiago on July 5! I'm going to see what I can do to arrange my trip so we coincide. Buen camino, Laurie
oh and p.s. I just checked in my old journals and I wrote in 2002 that the walk from Triacastela to Sarria was for the first 3 km on the shoulder of the road, then off onto paths along the river and up and down the hillsides.
Triacastela is not much of a town, I remember a couple of pretty bad meals in not so great places. I have stayed in the albergue a couple of times and once in a pension but I don't think it was Casa David. So you wouldn't be giving up a great meal or anything by staying out of town in the Casa Rural.
One thing that is kind of special about Triacastela is the priest -- I remember going to a late afternoon mass there, I confess it was more than anything to see the inside of the church, and the priest dispensed with most of the mass and spent the time talking with us about spirituality, life, meaning -- some of those topics that come up with great regularity on the camino. He gave us the standard pilgrim's blessing, which is beautiful. I don't know if he's still there, but it was a special experience.
I may actually be in Santiago on July 5! I'm going to see what I can do to arrange my trip so we coincide. Buen camino, Laurie
oh and p.s. I just checked in my old journals and I wrote in 2002 that the walk from Triacastela to Sarria was for the first 3 km on the shoulder of the road, then off onto paths along the river and up and down the hillsides.
Jan 12th, 2012, 08:33 PM
#108
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Laurie, that's the best news! I do hope we coincide (breakfast at the Costa Vella garden maybe!!). We now need to rope in Lincasanova.
Yes, I'm also a sucker for old stone houses (maybe that's one of the reasons I'm so in love with Santiago). I've had some communication problems with Casa Pacios. I'll probably have to call.
Your meeting with the Triacastela priest sounds very moving. At least I'll peek into the church.
Thanks for checking your journal and confirming your experience on that segment, much appreciated.
And also thanks for the recommendation about the cheeses, I will not forget!
Yes, I'm also a sucker for old stone houses (maybe that's one of the reasons I'm so in love with Santiago). I've had some communication problems with Casa Pacios. I'll probably have to call.
Your meeting with the Triacastela priest sounds very moving. At least I'll peek into the church.
Thanks for checking your journal and confirming your experience on that segment, much appreciated.
And also thanks for the recommendation about the cheeses, I will not forget!
Jan 21st, 2012, 01:21 PM
#111
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Hi, cruiseluv,
I am having a lot of fun planning this summer, and my camino is going to join the Camino Frances at Melide. I saw this casa rural that looked nice and wondered whether you had seen it. http://oacivro.com/
Its website says it's on km 19, which puts it pretty close to Santiago, maybe a good last night stop.
BTW, I sent you an email to the account you suggested and I am not sure if you saw it. Laurie
I am having a lot of fun planning this summer, and my camino is going to join the Camino Frances at Melide. I saw this casa rural that looked nice and wondered whether you had seen it. http://oacivro.com/
Its website says it's on km 19, which puts it pretty close to Santiago, maybe a good last night stop.
BTW, I sent you an email to the account you suggested and I am not sure if you saw it. Laurie
Jan 21st, 2012, 02:52 PM
#112
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Hola Laurie,
So sorry about my delay in answering your e-mail, I just did!
I had seen Oacivro and considered it. In the end I made a reservation at O Muiño de Pena since I had several recommendations on it. I think its a couple of kms from the Camino but supposedly the hotel will pick me up at Rua.
So sorry about my delay in answering your e-mail, I just did!
I had seen Oacivro and considered it. In the end I made a reservation at O Muiño de Pena since I had several recommendations on it. I think its a couple of kms from the Camino but supposedly the hotel will pick me up at Rua.
Jun 3rd, 2014, 04:36 PM
#113
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On the road again! I have just booked my flights from Valencia to Santiago and will be there the last days walking with your group as planned! I hope nothing pressing comes up between now and then!
Aug 4th, 2014, 03:08 PM
#115
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Back from a great experience.. meeting cruiseluv, her great friends and enjoying my time on the camino. TR will follow soon, I hope! I can say now that cruiseluv planned out great accommodations.
I am still encouraging anyone to do some of this as a productive, simple vacation. There's nothing like it.
I am still encouraging anyone to do some of this as a productive, simple vacation. There's nothing like it.
Aug 5th, 2014, 09:51 AM
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I missed this earlier - probably because walking the Camino or even part of it hadn't entered my consciousness.
However in the past couple of years I have become much more aware of it, and a little voice keeps whispering to me to try...
But up until today I have dismisses it, told the little voice to go away.
I am not a walker at all. I work long days on my feet standing and walking, and it makes my feet, ankles, knees and hips hurt. But reading this has given me hope, that perhaps I could attempt it, taking my time, walking maybe 5-10-15km a day. You have reassured me there is no pressure, that it would be MY Camino.
Thank you.
However in the past couple of years I have become much more aware of it, and a little voice keeps whispering to me to try...
But up until today I have dismisses it, told the little voice to go away.
I am not a walker at all. I work long days on my feet standing and walking, and it makes my feet, ankles, knees and hips hurt. But reading this has given me hope, that perhaps I could attempt it, taking my time, walking maybe 5-10-15km a day. You have reassured me there is no pressure, that it would be MY Camino.
Thank you.
Aug 5th, 2014, 03:40 PM
#118
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julia-t. I am so thrilled I may have taken the fear out of you for doing a part of the camino. I think you will be surprised at how simple and refreshing it is to do nothing but walk.. leave the heavy knapsack or case to the transport company.. stop as often as you like. just enjoy the journey.
I was at a dinner the other night and a friend, who actually now and has always taken long hikes near her house, but for some reason was intimidated by doing the "Camino", is making plans to do so. She didn´t say it in these words.. but a group has decided.. "well. if SHE did i and had fun.. I can do it , too".
Makes me feel great because I know how rewarding it will be for them.
I was at a dinner the other night and a friend, who actually now and has always taken long hikes near her house, but for some reason was intimidated by doing the "Camino", is making plans to do so. She didn´t say it in these words.. but a group has decided.. "well. if SHE did i and had fun.. I can do it , too".
Makes me feel great because I know how rewarding it will be for them.
Aug 6th, 2014, 06:50 AM
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Hi Linda,
It was so great to meet you and share the experience. My friends are now ready for another Camino and eventhough I'm not sure I have another one in me I have a feeling I can be easily convinced!
. I'm looking forward to your report, I'll also try to write one.
I would also like to encourage anybody that has an interest to give it a try. If I may offer a couple of observations: try not to do it in July or August. We had very hot days which really affected our stamina and enjoyment. Also, if you're concerned about your ability to walk long distances, keep your days to about 15 kms and you should be fine.
Buen Camino!
It was so great to meet you and share the experience. My friends are now ready for another Camino and eventhough I'm not sure I have another one in me I have a feeling I can be easily convinced!
. I'm looking forward to your report, I'll also try to write one.I would also like to encourage anybody that has an interest to give it a try. If I may offer a couple of observations: try not to do it in July or August. We had very hot days which really affected our stamina and enjoyment. Also, if you're concerned about your ability to walk long distances, keep your days to about 15 kms and you should be fine.
Buen Camino!
