Author Archives: Jaime Carrollo

Are you a believer in signs? Do you think there are messages in your dreams? Do you look to the zodiac for guidance? Or is this all superstition and nonsense? Consider this: As I left my hotel in Oviedo this morning, I walked by some golden beads lying on the sidewalk. Reminded me of MardiContinue reading “Day 20. First day of the Primitivo”

Today I made it to Oviedo, or Uvieu in the Asturian language, the capital of the Principality of Asturias and the “official” starting point of the Camino Primitivo. The Umayyad invasion of the Iberian peninsula began in 711 and by the end of the decade, they controlled most of the peninsula. Pelagius (Pelayo) was aContinue reading “Day 19.”

I slept good last night and took my time setting off on the trail. Just outside of Villaviciosa, the Camino bifurcates, with the North fork heading to Gijon, the other to Oviedo and the Primitivo. Early during the planning for this trip I read about the monastery of San Salvador de Valdedios about 5 milesContinue reading “Day 18. The Tree”

Last night I was faced with a major decision. The coastal trek with its ups and downs, and trying to keep pace with Steve from Montana and Collette from New Zealand, had left me too tired to consider the options: a short walk to Colunga or a much longer trek to Villaviciosa. So I decidedContinue reading “Day 17. A little help from my friends”

You should have received your notice about Day 15. It got stuck in the ether. Lo siento! There was no breakfast at The Old Seaman Bed and Breakfast this morning, at least not before 0900, so I guess I should be thankful for the bed. I left Celorio a bit later than I expected butContinue reading “Day 16. A rather coastal day”

I left La Franca early this morning and took the E-9 trail as an alternative to the “official” Camino which runs along the country roads. Instead, the E-9 took me along the coast through farmland and cow pastures. Last night’s rain did not make the trail any worse for wear. I walked for about 5Continue reading “Day 15. Week 3 begins”

I am sitting in my little casita, a rural cabin in the tiny crossroad of La Franca, but I might as well be in Thailand or Singapore during a tropical downpour kicked off with lightning and thunder. I am glad I am not out hiking in the deluge, but it is a good sign. ThisContinue reading “Day 14. Changing Gears”

I am sitting in my little casita, a rural cabin in the tiny crossroad of La Franca, but I might as well be in Thailand or Singapore during a tropical downpour kicked off with lightning and thunder. I am glad I am not out hiking in the deluge, but it is a good sign. ThisContinue reading “Day 14. Changing Gears”

When Paula and I lived in Madrid we were privileged to visit the cave of Altamira near Santillana del Mar. I believe it was Kamal Osman who was able to get the tickets which even back then were very difficult to come by; today the cave is closed to the public for reasons of conservationContinue reading “Day 13. Double scallop day”

The skies and the weather forecasts were threatening rain so we geared up with our rain kit for our 10 mile hike to Santander. We started off from Guemes on country roads which led back to the coast. The skies were gray but still no rain. We walked along the cliff’s edge, stopping now andContinue reading “Day 12. Gray Day”