It took only a few weeks after arriving home from Spain for that little travel itch to start acting up again.  I knew the only thing to relieve that itch was to start planning a new trip. My first priority on trip planning is the price of a round trip ticket. I went to Spain... Continue Reading →

After a few days in Seville I headed back to Madrid. I board the train and sit next to a Nicaraguan family, an older son, daughter-in-law and the parents. We are both surprised to meet each other in Seville Spain. They from Nicaragua and I had lived there from 1992-1995 and knew a lot about... Continue Reading →

I have noted while sitting outside enjoying a cup of coffee in the morning or a glass of wine in the evening that people everywhere walk about the streets holding hands or linking arms. It is heartwarming and charming to see older couples, young couples, short and tall couples, fat and thin couples, mother and... Continue Reading →

The last day of walking was energizing, knowing we would enter Santiago in the late afternoon. We walked through farms, forest, paved roads and even a little on the shoulder of a busy highway which was terrifying. We could see the tall steeple of the basilica in the distance and it looked massive and majestic.... Continue Reading →

The albergues (hostels) vary along the route. One was just $7.00 but had no sheets or blankets. We were given a large white plastic sheet to lay on the bed and asked to throw it away in the morning. It is cold this time of year and I did not bring a sleeping bag so... Continue Reading →

We left the albergue (hostel) at 07:00 with no coffee in sight. The town we stayed in had one restaurant and it does no open until 10:00. We had decided the day before to leave early and arranged for our backpacks to be picked up by a local woman who lived in town and agreed... Continue Reading →

I woke up today and realized I am an idiot. Why did I think I could walk this Camino alone in March?  I thought I did my homework-well let’s call it “Tamaras Way” which pretty much means winging it and not paying attention to details. Not making too many plans or thinking it through. I... Continue Reading →

So many little mishaps on my way to the Camino and I even speak the language.  But then what is an adventure without mishaps. I first learned Spanish at age 27 in Central America. Truth be told I never excelled in it. Although Spanish is Spanish, the Spanish spoken in Spain is a bit different... Continue Reading →

I arrived in Madrid on a Sunday afternoon and after checking in at my room strolled around the central park nearby, which is massive. I would soon discover that there are many massive central park areas in Madrid. The main one could give NYC Central park a run for it's money.  I sat and had... Continue Reading →