The Camino de Santiago 2016

In April/May 2016 I walked a 800 km pilgrimage – the Camino Frances. It is a five-week trek from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port on the French side of the Pyrenees to Santiago de Compostela in Galicia in northwestern Spain.

In a small chapel in Agés I thought, back in Austria it will be strange to reconcile the guy I was with the guy I am. Here are some impressions from a great journey.

Flight to Paris, by train to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port

Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port

The first night in an albergue (hostel)

Let’s go!

Start in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port

On the way to the monastery in Roncesvalles

Snow in Roncesvalles

The unexpected challenge

Sascha and Nina, my mates for the first few days.

Nina led the pack

Winterwonderland

Phoebe, an actress and musical performer from Australia who currently lives and works in London.

Typical hostel for the pilgrims.

My favorite picture

The famous “Casa Paderborn”, a wonderful hostel with German hosts in Pamplona.

Start before sunrise.

A long walk just for a beer!?

Sascha from Berlin – he had a lot of injuries. But he’s a tough guy and finished the Camino within 5 weeks too.

If you want to walk alone leave the hostel before sunrise.

One of my favorite sunrises – In the forest

Olá, Phoebe!

Daily breakfast

My companion

George from Switzerland/Canada – Tired after a long march.

Nina – a smart lady from Germany. A great inspiration for me.

Sascha

Phoebe and her Yoga sessions in the hostel

Albergue life

YNWA

Agés – a special place for me

Early in the morning

Burgos

Angels

Burgos

Some of us enjoyed a foot massage by a Hungarian host

Alexander from Salzburg – a new friend in my life.

The Meseta – a tough trip

Recover in Elvis’ Bar

León – The first overnight stay in a hotel for weeks. No bunk bed 😉

Walk on!

Storks everywhere!

Unexpected offer along the road

Minna from Finland and the multicultural Paul from Canada

So nice people: Minna, Alex from Munich, Pia from Germany, Paul from England, Katja from Germany and John from Ireland (red shirt) – a great lad, ZHX for the birthday gift

Sunrise at the Cruz de ferro – probably the most emotional moment in these five weeks. The tradition is to throw a stone here, brought from the place of origin of the pilgrim, symbolizing what the pilgrim want to leave behind and get ready for rebirth on the last part of the Camino.