El Camino - more or less

Hola amigos del grupo. We have survived the first 3 days of the Camino with many blisters (Mr. Hayford is getting a workout making doughnuts and lancing some huge blisters) and many more aches and pains. We had our first change of plans when we had to walk 4 kilometros after leaving the bus to reach O Cebreiro where we lodged for the first night. It looks like a village made by Disney but in real life. We hiked with high spirits the first day and ate some wonderful food.
Everyone was very sore on the second day from Tricastela to Barbadela, but continued on bravely. We keep seeing some of the same people in the albergues, or hostels and are making friends along the way. The students are using their Spanish now to set up the meals at the restaurants, and take care of asking for anything that we need.
The third day was a killer as we did almost 30 kilometers. Imagine the bottom of Ray Hill Road, but it continues for at least half a mile. That was just one of the hills that we hiked straight up.
On Wednesday Sarah twisted her knee and after about a quarter of kilometer today (Thursday) we decided she shouldn't continue. Sra. and Sara continued on ahead in taxi to Melide where we all are now. The group arrived at about 4:00 and we happily are all together as they had met up with Desiree and Dr. Dunn in Palas del Rei, about half-way through the 30 kilometers they hiked today.
We're off to dinner now. Can't figure out how to upload the photos. We´ll work on that tomorrow. Besos a todos.

Quick Update

We're leaving the house in about a half an hour to get the bus to Galicia. Unfortunately Desi won't be going with us just yet. She had a sore throat and a slight fever on Friday and the fever went up a bit on Saturday. Sat. evening her host mom took her to the doctor who gave her some antibiotics and demanded bed rest. She will stay in Madrid with her host family and Dr. Dunn until she is able to meet us on the Camino later this week. We'll miss her for a few days but just want her to be healthy. Thank goodness for Dr. Dunn.

Getting ready for Sarkozy's visit

The Palacio Real (Royal Palace) and us.

Sra. Molina meets up with her ex-student Mary Mihuta, now living in Madrid.

Our 3 course meal served at La Buena Fe in downtown Madrid.

Mr. Hayford writes about Friday, April 24

"Hola! Once again we all gathered at the Colegio Logos school and walked a short distance to the bus stop. We caught the 10:15 bus into Madrid and then hopped on the metro to Callao which is one stop short of Puerta Del Sol in the heart of the city. Sarah did a fabulous job of navigating the metro and getting us up to street level. At this point, Dom led us to the Palacio Real where we met up with one of Sra. Molina's former students, Mary Mihuta who has been a resident of Spain for the past four years. The line into the Royal Palace was very long as this is a must see sight when visiting Madrid. The Palace is no longer the official residence of the King & Queen of Spain, rather a place for official functions on an international scale. For instance, this Monday, French PM Sarkozy will be making a visit to the Palace. He will be greeted by King Juan Carlos & Queen Sofia as well as other dignitaries. We saw the dining room where they will eat at a table set for 144 guests! It was the longest table any of us have ever seen.

Continuing on our tour, we walked through many rooms that served as bedrooms, dining rooms changing rooms, etc. We saw incredibly detailed furniture, carpets, tapestries, paintings, fireplaces, and clocks from around the world. This palace is not your typical living quarters. As Desi noted, it was very excessive!

After the tour we visited the Farmacia (Royal Pharmacy) where the Royals were able to get any pharmaceuticals they needed. The drugs were put together right there on the spot. We also walked through the Royal Armery which housed all kinds of armor for soldiers and horses when fighting in battle.

We then began our search for a place to sit down and eat. Along the way, the students and I purchased a few souvenirs. I'm very thankful for the students who are assisting me with the language when attempting to make a purchase. They are all fantastic translators for this non-speaking chaperone!

We ate lunch at La Buena Fe and had a three course meal. Pasta with shrimp, fish, pork and paella were all popular options. Muy bien! Our waiter was very entertaining as well - a great sense of humor with the students. From there we found a locutorio where several of the students called home to say hello. A very inexpensive way of calling overseas at $.20 per minute!

We then had to call it a day and headed back to Sol and the metro for the ride back to the bus station and on to the school for pickup with host students. We bid farewell to Sylvia, our main contact at the school and thanked her for all she had done for us. Sra. Molina and I also bid farewell to the students until Sunday when we head to Galicia for Part II: The Camino! We will pick up Dr. Dunn tomorrow and prepare for our departure on Sunday."

It is likely that we will have some difficulty in posting new blogs during our time on the Camino. If so, we will definitely update when we get to Santiago on Saturday, May 2.

The Camino group in the Imperial city

The Prado Museum with Velazquez statue

Our celebrity sighting at the Prado - Know who it is?

Ready to board the high speed train to Toledo

The walled city of Toledo with the Alcazar to the left

The Puerta del sol - an ancient doorway into the walled city

Desi reads the map and finds our way as others eat ice cream - Magnums?

The huge cathedral in Toledo

Dom - our photographer for the day

John Mark writes about Thursday, April 23 -

"Today we had planned to wake up early and go to Toledo, but plans change, and for the Camino group there is no exception. Once we arrived at the train station in the center of Madrid we found out that the next 2 trains to Toledo were full and we had a few hours to kill. Luckily we were near the Prado Museum and we took advantage of our time in Spain's most important museum.  We saw many Spanish masters like El Greco, Goya, and Velazquez. My favorite painting was one done by Bosch, a Flemish painter.  It was a triptic, divided into three pieces showing Paradise in the Garden of Eden, Life with all it's pleasures and sins, and then Hell in the third part.  There was much going on in the painting, with hundreds of people and symbols.

At noon we boarded the train and headed to Toledo, a beautiful city surrounded by medieval walls and a river.  It was once the capital of the country, evidenced by its great walls and cathedral.  I was especially impressed by the cathedral because of its beauty and the fact that it took over 200 years to make.  The streets in the old section were so tiny that it made it dangerous for driving and walking.  We also visited a Jewish synogogue and a church where El Greco's masterpiece, the Burial of the Count of Orgaz, is on display.

All together today was a great sunny day in Spain and I'm excited to go to sleep and dream about tomorrow."

Old plazas and modern art

The group in the Plaza Mayor

Dominic writes - "Today we met up at the host school Logos and took a bus to Madrid and then the subway to the center of town, Puerta de Sol. At the Friends of the Camino office we got our credentials after listening to a rather boring but necessary orientation.

We then admired the Plaza Mayor before heading to the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia. and spent a good amount of time looking at La Guernica by Picasso. We also saw some works by Joan Miro and Salvador Dali which I found very interesting.

We ate lunch at an outdoor cafe and tried Patatas Bravas and Calamares Fritos, which were good.

We then headed back to the school where we met up with our host brothers and sisters and each went our separate ways."

PS - Sorry that we haven't called home. We have been very rushed. Everyone is great.

Segovia - city in the mountains

Today´s writer Desi with the acueduct behind her.

The group under one of the shorter arches of the aqueduct.

Columns on a Romanic church in Segovia.

The gothic cathedral in Segovia.

We went to Segovia today and it is very pretty. It is a rather large ancient city. Our first monument was the aqueduct, built by the Romans to transport water from the neighboring mountain to the city. It is enormous and very impressive. It is very high and long, and was constructed of massive stones using no mortar.

We explored the old part of the city, located high on a hill. The architecture of Segovia is very beautiful, with many influences from the arabs who lived here for many years.

In the cathedral of Segovia, just beside the Plaza Mayor, we were impressed with the incredible size. I also thought that the cathedral itself and the cloister patio were beautiful.

We continued the visit in the city with a tour of the Alcazar or Moorish style castle. At one time it was the residence of Isabella, the queen who facilitated the funding for Columbus' voyages.

Lunch was at a restaurant in a hotel, where I had a vegetable soup and a delicious fish. We all loved the 1000 layer cake that was dessert. I had a great time today.

Today we spent the entire day at Colegio Logos, our host school. Comments:

Brittany- We presented a Powerpoint about Vermont to a group of 70-75 students ages 16-17. Afterwards, we did a question and answer session. I enjoyed hearing about their lives and sharing about mine with them.

EMMA - I was asked to sing for 3 different groups today. After our Vermont presentation I was kissed on the cheek at least 30 times by students who congratulated me. I blushed!

Dom - I enjoyed meeting so many nice people, especially because everyone seemed so genuinely interested in us and our lives.

Ryan- I attended Chemistry class. The teacher asked us to read aloud from Spanish textbooks. Everyone was very nice and I was treated like royalty. I made quite a few friends today.

John Mark- I loved Colegio Logos. They treated us like rock stars.

Alicia - We visited the 6th grade English class. I loved the students. They were so nice and friendly. I will never forget the kindness of the students who attend Colegio Logos.

Sarah - I have enjoyed observing the students´ lives here in their homes and at school. We have learned so much about each other.

Desi - The teens at Colegio Logos were so excited to talk to us and were extremely welcoming. I love all the kisses. It´s probably going to be my favorite day. I miss them all already!

Mr. Hayford - I spent the day with 9 and 10 year old students participating in the Olympic competition with schools from all over the area. It was impressive and a lot of fun.

Ms. Molina - The special presentation by the musicians, dancers, and students reading poetry was outstanding. We can´t thank the school, the teachers and the students enough for their wonderful hospitality today.

Ya estamos en España

There were smiles all the way: waiting in Boston, on the flight and meeting up with the host families. What wonderful hosts we have here in Madrid!

Pre-trip

Brittany, Jean Mark, and Alicia selling raffle tickets for Red Sox game.

We're going to Spain!  April 18-May 4.  

We've been raising funds for the trip all year.  Fundraisers included sales of fudge, baked goods, holiday wreaths, and 50/50 raffle tickets as well as Red sox raffle tickets.  We held 2 Bingo Nights, worked at the Maplefest and parked cars at the fair.  Additionally, we received generous donations from community organizations and individuals.  Thanks to all who supported us.