Oh my aching feet!

Today we were up and at it early in the morning because we have a lot of walking to do.  It's really peaceful walking through the countryside and seeing all the cool things in Spain.  I wish it was a little warmer out but oh, well, we will survive.

Walking the countryside

Fresh scallops

Mint chip ice cream always helps

Hi, kitty.

She's eating healthy so she can make good milk.

Can you believe it?  They made us walk up all these steps at the end of the day.  My little legs hurt so bad.

Oh, hi guys back at school.  Look at us, we're walking the countryside and it's nice and sunny.

Do you know what this is?  It's a cemetery.  They all look like this.  They're actually kind of neat to see and aren't scary at all.

Just walking through the forest.

This is a school bus.  All the parents walk their kids and wait for them to get on it and head to school.

This cow was getting milked.  She said to say "mooooo" to you all.

We stopped for ice cream but look at these!  A finger, a nose, a face, even Darth Vader.  I wish our ice cream was like this at home.  They're so lucky.

Sleepover!  There better not be any snoring or tooting going on tonight!

So tonight we are going to get some good sleep so we can wake up early and do it all over again.  I can't wait to tell you all about it.  Until then...

The start of a new day.

You technically can't get lost walking the Camino de Santiago because you follow these markers that mark the trail.  If you walk the entire thing you could be away from home for months because it has trails all over Europe and beyond.   People have been walking this route for well over 1,000 years during the middle ages, think, Roman times.  You can even take it from say Norway and take a boat over and start it then.    

Camino marker

These are all the routes you can take to get to the Santiago de Compostela

He was sniffing me and I think wanted to nibble on me too.  I liked him though.

There were no trolls under this bridge

We saw a lot of cows.  They make a lot of cheese in Spain

This farmer just finished milking his cows and was putting them out to pasture.

His feet were a little muddy

Here was a herd of sheep and goats just walking down the road.

A little snack.


Do you know what? I had to walk close to 20 miles today.  My little legs are really tired and when you're small you have to walk a lot of little steps.  I'm just so glad there are a lot of things to look at along the round so it makes the day go by fast.  Plus, I got to meet people from all over the world, like South Africa, Canada, Guatemala, China, Russia, Ireland, Germany other people from the United States.  Pretty much people from all over the world are walking along with you.  Old people, little kids, moms and dads, teenagers.  You can even ride your bike, a horse or even a wheelchair too.  I can't wait to tell you more tomorrow.

A Train Ride to Sarria

So today we took the train from Madrid.  It's was six hours long and that was even with the train going really fast.  It was pretty to look out the window and see what Spain actually looks like.

All aboard!  Choo Choo!

This is the view out my window.

We didn't have to take the train over this bridge

I'm just relaxing like a boy should do.  It's hard though to sit still for this long.  Thankfully, there's a
food car so I can go and get something to eat and drink.

Hi Anu.  I miss you but I'm having fun.

This was a little town we passed.

Nate, what's up?  I'm having fun just so you know.  I was kind of scared in the beginning being away
from home but it's really not so bad.

Hadi, look at me!  Miss you buddy.

It's all hilly.

Tomorrow we have to leave in the morning to start our walk.

It looks kind of rainy in the background.

Here's where we are spending the night tonight.  Isn't it cute and cozy? 
The sun is shining in and we opened the windows and doors up.

Check out my bathroom.  I never had a bathroom like this one.  It's awesome!

So now I have to eat and get ready for bed because we have to get up early in the morning to start our hike.  I hope it's nice out and I can't wait to see what's out there along the way.  I think there are going to be some surprises for sure.  I'll see you tomorrow.

Madrid, day two

Today we walked back to the old section of Madrid.  The streets here are not like the ones at home.  everything is round and circular unlike at home where everything is on a grid and straight.  It's not very busy so we kind of feel like this is our own little town.

Anu's friend came along to Spain.  Do you see that big koala in the background?  It's silly.  This area is the Plaza Mayor.  It's a big square and many people hang out here.  There are lots of shops and restaurants here too.

This is one of the entrances into the Plaza.  It's like a really big rectangle that's open in the middle.

Hanging with my buddy in the Plaza

This is the tapas market.  You can get all sorts of food here.  Everyone comes here to eat.

Look at all these sandwiches for sale.

We were so hungry we found FOOD, and fresh lemonade and fruit punch.  It was delish!

All olives.  I love olives, do you?

So we were able to see one of the TV people interviewing participants on Eurovision.  It was really neat seeing all the stars but we didn't know any of them.

My adult chaperone, Rhonda met the band Hatari. They're from Iceland and are famous.  Even though they look scary, they were very nice.  There are actually six people in their band.

Candy!

Knock, knock.  Who's there?  A door knocker, silly, that's who.

Now tomorrow, I have to get up pretty early because we have to take a six-hour train ride from Madrid all the way to Sarria.  I think it will be pretty fun and relaxing to go across the country.  Once we get to Sarria we will rest up because this isn't like a normal vacation, this is a hiking trip.  We have to tighten up our boots so we can cross the country until we end up at Santiago de Compostela.  I will see all of you manana.  That's Spanish for tomorrow morning.

A visit to Madrid

Well, we made it safe and sound to Spain.  The weather is kind of the same as it is back home.  The only hard part is I am seven hours ahead of you.  If you follow a map and trace your finger going to the right, you will find Spain.  By the time half of my day is through, you will just be getting up and ready for school.  I hope you guys learn some good stuff while I am gone so you can tell me all about it.

Spain is an old country and they speak mostly Spanish.  I only know a little bit of Spanish, un poquito.  I think I will be ok though.  We walked to the old area of the City and you know what?  Everyone in Spain loves their dogs, you see them everywhere.  People take them in the stores, into the restaurants, to work, every place you can imagine.  I love them all.

Santa María la Real de La Almudena.  This is one small side of the cathedral.

This is the other side of the Cathedral

Here is Nate's friend with Lydia in front of the Royal Palace.  There are over 3,400 rooms.  That's BIG!

Churros.  Yum!

Churros and chocolate.  Really YUM!

These are some of the things Spain is known for.  Pottery, knights, and Swords.

Tee Shirt anyone?

Do you see all the seafood here?  It's crazy!

The statue of Felipe IV at Plaza de Oriente and the Royal Palace behind me. Hi, Hadi!  I'm having fun.  

Don't try this at home kids, you'll get into a lot of trouble

I feel like we are the only ones here.  It's great

Now we just found out that there are a lot of kind of famous people at our hotel.  They are filming and having tryouts for a show that is like American Idol.  Bands and performers are coming from all over Europe to try to win first place.  It's kind of exciting.  Their soccer team is staying here too but in Europe, they call is Football but it's actually soccer.  I can't wait to see what happens tomorrow.  Gotta go eat...

I'm going to get the BIG burger,