Category Archives: Europe

June 3: In Lisboa and learning Portuguese customs

For me, part of the fun of visiting other countries is speaking with the people, learning their customs, and eating their food. I prefer this interaction than looking at monuments or visiting old buildings. It’s all about the people. I also like trying to speak the language. In Lisboa, so many people involved with tourism…

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June 2: Being Lisboa tourist

Slow start this morning. After an 11 A.M. brunch we toured the city. First we went to the ancient Se Cathedral. The insides reminded me of my childhood church, Our Lady of Sorrows in Hartford, CT. We stayed a while to listen to the choir. From there we headed towards the shoreline and watched sailboats…

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June 1: Busing to Lisboa

We got to the bus station about an hour before departure time. Two Portugal-bound buses arrived and people speaking a variety of languages descended on them, trying to figure out which bus to take. Each bus driver told me, “Not this bus, other.” We and several others had no idea what to do. Our departure…

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May 31: Preparing for Portugal

When we were on the way to Santiago, we had to transfer trains. While we had a tea at the depot, I spotted a man ordering a clear liquid, which he poured into his coffee. The bartender said it was a local beverage called aguardiente, made by distilling what is left of the fruit after…

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May 30: Santiago

A lot has happened since Sahagún. We left town late, waiting for the shops to open to buy spare tubes after having the three flats. It was a lovely day for a ride, warming up with the sun and easy rolling hills. We decided to stay at Mansilla de las Mulasat the albergue Amigos del…

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May 26: Sahagún

We had three flats today, two before breakfast and leaving the albergue. It wasn’t too cold riding, and I quickly shed one layer and ear warmers. Michele rode the first stage to Carrión de los Condes and waited a half hour for us to catch up to him. We had the last flat (down to…

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May 23 to 25 Burgos to Boadilla

We left San Anton Abad in the cold about 10 A.M. Staying in hotels means we do not have to leave early as we do when we stay in albergues. It was an immediate 6% uphill 7 km ride on narrow shoulders and lots of  truck traffic…not ideal. I pushed the bike for half the…

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May 21 and 22: Logroño to San Anto Abad

W hen we left it was 4 C (34 F) and overcast. We followed the Camino for 12 km (7.5 mi) because it was paved. Once over the dam, we got instructions from locals to ride to the end of the park and take the access road on the left. It didn’t look right, but…

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May 20: Logroño

We left Tudela late, about noon. First we went to a ferretería (hardware store) to buy a screwdriver, flat washers, and combination padlock that we could use to lock our things in at the albergues. Dennis tightened all the screws loosen on the trail by the canal, then he cleaned the chain of sand, oiled…

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May 19: Tudela

This morning was one of those days that makes most people want to stay in bed–rainy and cold. Other pilgrims were taking the train to Logrono and I was tempted. Dennis left  the option to me, since I was the one  thinking that the train fare could not be more than the cost of two…

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