Day 35- Arca de Pino- SANTIAGO!!!!!!! 0km left! We made it, woo hoo.

Well, we are here, and let me tell you, it is an amazing feeling, to have walked 800km and then get to an amazing Cathedral, though old, it still has its own thing about it. We walked in with Cesar and Kate, and yes, cesar and I were singing "I AM COW HEAR ME MOOOOO!!!" as loud as we could. we found ourselves a nice hostal so we are staying there for the night, and then tomorrow we are going to probably part ways. I just have to say that it feels soo good to be done, but it feels like we are just taking a day off, but no, we are done! no more hiking for a while, maybe do the Portugal route one of these years.
While walking in, we had to stop at a place called Monto Golso, it was the first time that you could see Santiago, and you could just see the towers of the Cathedral. It was probably the best feeling I have felt before, just knowing that we did it, with the pain, but we made it. I was almost in tears but not quite. It still hasnt sunk in that we are done though.
So to all of you that have been faithfully reading everyday, I thank you so much, I would not have done this if you were not reading and leaving comments, so I thank you so much, you comments often made the hard days easier. Mom, we miss you so much and cant wait to see you. And same with all my sisters and brothers and nieces and nephews. We will be there soon.
So to holland we go, that shall be exciting. Going to a great soccer game, so that will be good. But the best thing of the summer, besides doing the hike, will be coming home to all my family and friends, cannot wait.
Well, there is a coke waiting for me at a bar up the road, and a proud and relaxed father, and two great new friends, so I shall leave it at this.
I will enter His gates with thanks giving in my heart.
Thank you
-Jakob

day 34- Arzua-Arca de Pino- 20km left!!!!! Last day tomorrow

wow, we are almost there. We just finished having our probable last dinner with cesar and kate on this trail, was very good, and guess what we had. Yes, thats right, Pasta. Well about today.
today we woke up at around 7:15, dad didn´t hear the alarm. so we left at around quarter to 8. Today was only 18km, but it seemed longer. We hiked for a bit, with cesar kate dad and I, and then all of a sudden, he was there, GONE! Dad must have had smelt the coffee in the town 10km or something, because he was gone, like no where to be seen. he said he just all of a sudden felt really good, and just gave it. he was talking to a young boy from Ireland(sp?), Shammes, he is 15, I met him and his family a few days before. Anyways we got to the first town and had the breaky specials. Cafe con leche with orange juince, bocadillo, and a bucky de bei (sp?), haha. All four of us had it, it was only 3€. so cesar and kate paid right away, but dad didn´t pay right away, but that is normal in bars in spain. So we kept on walking and got to another town 5 km away and stopped there. When we went outside to have our lunch dad said "Oh crap, guess what, I forgot to pay for breakfast this morning!!!. Ah well, free breakfast, and I am not going to go walk back there!" So we got free breakfast, but we did not feel good about it, though, dad is a real dutch man. anyways, we got here after hiking, up and down and up and down again. We found the Albequerque right away, no mrs. Ewald we did not miss it, but thanks for the warning. It is an ok place. Got beds right beside Cesar and Kate again. We made plans for me to Go to Poland in 2012 to watch the European Cup, and then I am going to Fiona´s home town to visit her, and then after that I am taking Cesar and Kate home to Smithers with me, so yeah, thats the plan! anyways, righ now they are all sitting ourside and dad is having Rice Pudding, his favorite, and Cesar Kate and I are going to have icecream kake. Well that is all for today, I thank you all for reading everyday, and I am going to miss writing in here and informing you what is going on, and stuff like that, because we are almost done, but I will post tomorrow, so don´t forget to read it, because it will be the last one. Well that is all for now. Bye bye.
For one of the Camino ers, Jakob Kort
Bye bye, here we come Santiago!

Day 33- Palas de Rei-Arzua- 38km Left! WOW!

So yeah, almost there. Wow. Anyways, about the day.
Well we got up early this morning. Only 6:30 today. Left by 7. Cesar and kate left by 20 to 7. We said we would meet up with them later. So we had a yogurt, and a croissant, dad said he had two, but he was still sleeping, haha. No rain today, nice and cloudy for the morning though. Kind of a boring hike until coffee stop. For brunch, we had a coke and a Kas Limon, and also we both had a HUGE bocadillos, which is a large piece of bread with a large omelette, with either ham or chesse on it. Dad had the ham, I had, yes you guessed it, the cheese. Right when we got there, kate and Cesar were leaving. It seemed like a gathering of Canadians there because Kate and Cesar were there, and us, and this gay(?) vancoverite, and three ladies from Halifax. So we kept on walking, through beautiful trees, and woodland. The cedar and chestnut trees were over taken by large eucaliptus trees, they were very big. After walking around 5km per hour, really fast according to dad, we had to make a stop, after walking 5km. Dad had not had his coffee yet, so he needed it. I had a coke, and we opened up our chocolate bars we had bought the previous afternoon. After that wonderful break, we continued into the woodland. We passed a very raunchy smelling pig farm, had to breath through my mouth the whole time, because I did not want to smell it, I would rather taste it. NOT! After passing that nasty place, we met up with Cesar and Kate. I have taught Cesar the best song in the world. "I am cow" by the Arrogant Worms. Very good, listen to it if you can. After teaching him it, he has started to sing it aloud with me, but while he is alone with Kate, he sings it to real cows. He did that today. Stopped and sang it to the cow. So we met up with them, and we were kinda looking forward to the Albequerque by then. Oh, side note, we have been thinking about doing something special for the last 20km, and I thought of something. Since Cesar just learnt a new song, we should sing I am cow all the way to Santiago, for 20km, but, I don´t think Kate and dad would like that. Dad´s idea was, first one to see Santiago would get carried the rest of the way into it, so I said I would stay at least 500m ahead of them the whole day, just so I could get carried in. Anyways, the terrain was going up and down and up and down, much to the chagrin of dad and kate, who have the sore legs. WE got to the Albequerque, and there was a line up, so we decided to walk another 3 km to Arzua, where we found a very nice albequerque, or I should say, kate and cesar found it. For dinner tonight, we had the best meal yet. Rice with fresh veggies, pork, and scrambled eggs, with again two bottles of wine and a two liter bottle of coke, which is still sitting on the table. AND NO DESSERT!!!!!!! whats with that, we will have to get that later. Anyways, I feel that I have typed in a different style that I usually do today, hopefully it is good. Only 2 days left, tomorrow is 18km and the day into Santiago is 20, nice and easy. Well I miss all my family and I can´t wait to go to holland, bye bye.
Lift your eyes unto the hills......
-Jakob
heres dad
I read psalm 121 at dinner tonight. It got me all choked up, just listen:The LORD watches over you. For more thasn four weeks he has.There has been nothing seriously wrong with Jaokob or me. But also ,The Lord is your shade at your right hand. When you will see us you may notice that we are mostly tanned at the LEFT side!! The sun will not harm you by day. Even though it has been very hot on the meseta, no harm was done to us. The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forever more. We are coming to the end of this hike, and it has become a bit of a metaphor of our lives. We ´walk everyday, knowing that God is walking beside us and watching over us. I will never read that Psalm the same way again.

Klaas

Day 31 and 32. Barbadelo-Portamarin-Palas de Rei- 76km left

So well,don´t really remember much from yesterday, But I will try my best. We woke up at seven at left around 7:30. We have spent the last few days with Cesar and Kate, just walking and cooking with them and stuff. So yesterday was onlu 18km, nice weather. When we got to Portamarin, we were worried about getting a bed, because in dad´s book it said there were only like 140 beds in the whole town, but the town had made a new Albequerque, with 110 beds in one room. But it was very nice, good computers, all kitchen stuff, and a TV!, but none of that fancy stuff really mattered. It was just a nice place. For supper we had Pissgehtti, wich dad and I made,"our secret recipe", oh, and don´t forget the two bottles of wine, one for cesar and dad and one for kate and I. Oh, cesar kate and I stayed up till quarter to 11, and we were able to see a star!!! The first star I have been able to see in 4 weeks, at night that is.
So this morning we were up at 7, and out the door by quarter to 8. Today was 26km, a little bit longer than yesterday. We took a short cut to get going, every other pilgrim took the long way around the city, we just back tracked and got on the same trail, Smart thinking dad. So since we are in Galicia, I thought that it would be good if we actually had some rain. And it looked like we were in for some rain today, but it didn´t start. We were stopped by this albequerque, run by a group of Christian ladies, from all over europe. They gave us a stamp, and free coffee and tea. Very nice of them. For lumch cesar bought bread right from the truck in the street. On it we had Jam, hmmmmmmm, very good. So after that, it started to pour rain, and I mean pour, it was sideways rain. It was pretty cool though, because I haven´t seen any rain for a long time. So we got our ponchos on and put our rain covers on, and started walking. And we walked, and we walked. It was a really long day. We saw some one that we were hiking with, call a cab and take it to the next town! We were all mad at him. CHEATER!!!!!! So now were are here going to eat dinner, with cesar and kate, HAMBURGER!!!!!! Yummy, it is double patty, with cheese, eggs, and all the other stuff on a burger, fries, and a side salad, all for 6€. Well anyways, I am reall hungry, and I want to eat. Thanks for commenting all, and dad´s leg is fine. 3 DAYS LEFT!. Bye Bye
-Jakob

Barbadelo to Portomarin 94.8 km left

Jakob is napping so today it is my turn to keep you informed of what is going on. We had a quiet night, quiet mainly because of the excellent earplugs. We went to bed after a good dinner with our Polish Canadian friends and a Dutch couple, Good times and so so food. The Spanish cuisine really isnt that great, at least when it comes to dinners.
We woke up at 7 and by 7:30 we were ready to go again for another day on the trail. This was going to be an exciting one, since we would be crossing the 100 km marker today. By now there is a marker every 500 m to let you know how much more there is to go.
The landscape was lovely, mostly along paths and through slightly hilly country, not too steep and not too flat. The weather too was perfect, not cold at all today, so we started in our shirts right away. After 2 km it was time for coffee. Jakob was hungry already so he ordered a bacon and cheese sandwich, which ended up to be too big even for him. I just had toast with jam. It is funny how at this stage you meet up with all kinds of people from earlier on. It seems that no matter what pace you have, you all get there at more or less the same time.
So we went on, more paths, quiet roads, ancient trees and beautiful scenery. We must have passed through at least 8 villages. Villages is the wrong word to describe these palces, as they are mostly two or three farms put together. We ran into a herd of cows and felt a bit like being in Pamplona running form the bulls.
I think tendinitis is setting in again, this time in the other leg. Ah well, it is only 100 km to go. Yes we came to the marker that said 100 km!! Of course pictures had to be taken. At 99.5 was a coffeshop, and we all ordered a drink. My coffee came in a bucket size cup, and it was not cafe cone leche but leche con cafe. Terrible, I could not drink it, ordered Fanta in stead.
Eventually we crossed the bridge into Portomarin, a nice looking town at the shores of an artificial lake. we found a brandnew Albergue, and were the first people there. So much for worrying about finding a place to stay. Jakob and I went to town for lunch after the laundry and showers. Bought another postcard for you Trish. On our way we spotted the local pool, we might have to try that yet today.
Then it was nap time for me. read a few pages and promptly fell asleep. And now Jakob is taking his turn. I have bottom bunk today. there are 110 beds in this place, in one room divided only by curtains. But what amazes me is how quiet everyone always is, both at night and in the morning and even in the afternoon as many pilgrims are resting or napping.
So a few more days and this will be all over. We talked about what it would feel like to arrive at the end. Joy,sadness, or a combination of both. it is hard to say. For now we will just relax, make dinner together with Kate and Caesar, and enjoy another evening.
"the foolish man seeks happiness in the distance, the wise man grows it under his feet" (Oppenheimer)

Day 29- O´cebrero-Tricastela- 143km left

Last night I called laura, was good to hear her voice again, and felicity´s. Umm, had an amazing sleep because of the ear plugs, again. Woke up once, and there were lots of people snoring, so I just stuck my ear plugs in again, yes they fell out, and I could not hear anything. So today was only a 21 km hike, not bad. It was very beautiful again. We had a little bit of a climb, nothing much, but we could see soo much. Dad got a cool picture, and I got a lot of pictures also. I have only 270 left, I can take over 60 a day for the last few days of hiking if I wanted too, but I won´t. Anyways, we were going to stop at the first town, but there were no Bars, so we stopped at the second one, along with our South African friend, Nick, and the English guitar playing dude. took a bit of a break there because it was our first. But after that, we kept on walking, or should I say hiking. There was also one part, where we had a very very steep climb, and I have to say, the person who put that bar right at the very top, was a very smart person, because I think every peregrino that came up that hill stopped there. So only 6km left till Tricastela. We were walking down a rocky hill when I almost, very nearly, sprained my ankle, still is a bit sore, but thats ok, comes with the hike I guess. Even if I had sprained it badly, I would have finished the hike. Anyways, we are here now, in a very nice albequerque, it is a 2 star one, free internet, a TV, nice beds, lots of bathrooms, just over all nice. Ooohhhhhh... I forgot to mention something, while we were hiking along, we were getting really hungry, and we were both talking about it when all of a sudden, BAM!! there was this little old lady with 2 crepes, Creeps, for us. She charges us 2 euros for them, but hey, they were a snack. It was awesome.
So dad is sleeping right now, or reading a book or something. Tonight for supper we are going to have Pankakes, and mom, I decided for our home coming meal, I am not going to cook, I want Creeps, ok?? Well tis all for today folks. Only 6 days of hiking left, scary thought. I want it to be over, kinda, and at the same time I don´t want it to end. WHAT DO I THINK!!!!!! ah well, it will end when it ends. Everyone, have a good day, and you better leave alot of comments, to make up for yesterdays post.
Tut, tut, it looks like rain
-Jakob
Just to add to the story of the lady with the creeps (pancakes)we had just been discussing how we might have to go hungry all the way to Tricastela, since there were no other major towns coming up, and we had just finished talking about that when Jakob said: ¨"i smell food", and POP, there she was. We got a picture of her of course, and she even knew a few words of English. Amamzing.
There was a huge line up at the municipal alberge, but we had already decided we were going to stay at the one we are at now. It´s very peaceful, we are the only two guests. And somehow, it was makerket day again, people selling clothes, watches, fruit and toys on the street, and inevitably at the end the food stands where the women cook up big pots full of squid (pulpa) and everyone else each it with generous helpings of bread, cheese and wine. They actulally cut the squid´s tentacles with scissors into bite size peaces. I haven´t had the guts yet to try soen myself, though it´s supposed to be good.
Anyway, Jakob was a bit depressed: "When we get here so early, I don´t know what to do and I get bored". So I convinced him to fill out some postcards we still needed to mail, and then to go buy some stamps and stuff for tomorrow. I almost hadf to drag him along, but right now he is very happy I did, because when we got to the store we ran into Kate and Cesar, two people Jakob befriended along the way and whom we had kind of lost. He´s gonna hang out with them for a bit tonight, while I go and sit on the bench infront of the albegue and read what is turning out ot be a cool book: The Egyptologist, by Arthur Phillips, 5 time Jeopardy champion.
By the way, the pancakes were okay, not like Trsih´s of course, but what can you expect from a pakkie, add water only! However, the wine was good. Thea, you´re right you either become a catholic or an alcoholic on this hike, and a catholic I ain´t.
Trish, we miss you and love you, hang in there!!!
Klaas.

Day 28- Vega del Valcarce-O´Cebreiro- 155km(?)

Last night was pretty interesting, we met three bikers from belgum(sp?), Oh mom, greetings from the tall Belgin. Also there was a whole pack of girls there, around 20 or so, and they would not shut up, all on their cellphones, and sining and screaming, it was 9:30 when I went to bed, and they were steill yelling and such, and also that english dude was playing his guitar again. So the amazing ear plugs helped me out again and made me fall fast asleep on our comfy beds. Dad and I could actually sleep total in our sleeping bags today, the people in the room didn´t close the window which we had opened, yippy!!! So dad got up at 7 and I didn´t get up till 7:30, so a nice sleep in. Today we only hiked around 10km, because it was the steepest hike on the whole Camino. So we hiked, and got to a town hoping for a bar, but there was none open, so we kept on hiking. We got to another town where dad and I saw this Hostal thing that was for sale and him and I both decided that mom would like it, but it would be too quiet for her. It had the most beautiful view in the world, big mountains right in front of it, on of which we climbed, so pretty cool. Anyways, in that town we stopped for a coffee and a Cola Coa, and a crossant and a boccadios, and a tostata. Yes we splurged, but thats ok, we didn´t eat lunch. After that town we started climbing, and it was steep, but not as steep as I thought it was. Dad and I both thought it was easier than expected. I have to tell you that the views we saw were just awesome. I said to dad "the only word that you can say it ´wow´" It was just awesome. I got a picture of a gecko (sp?), and also a 180 degree video of the view, two of them actually. So we got to O´Cebreiro, and it is a tourist town, like majorly, but it is beautiful. The View we have from the Ablequerque, is awesome, we look down on the valley and we can see for hours and hours on end. After doing the laundry and taking a shower, dad and I walked up town, were we bought a second post card for my mother. Also one of our friends was eating this soup in a barish place, so we wanted to try some. This friend was a guy that we gave our extra cheese to, and a half a bottle of wine, so he bought both dad and I a beer. yes, me too. The soup was so good, it was Spinach, potatoes, meat, and other spiced and stuff. Very good. Dad and I decided to come here for Supper. only 10€ for a meal. We are going to have........Galician Soup, the soup I was just talking about.... second course, Eggs with garlic suasage and french fries or veal stew(dad might have the veal), dessert..........Fresh cheese of cebreireo with honey(dad) Cake of house(Jakob), and bread and wine or water is included. we will go for the wine. So thats our dinner, all for 20€ prett expensive. 6 days of hiking left, not bad. We have booked a hostal room in Santiago for 3 days. In those three days we are going to go to Finesterre, aka the end of the world, and also look at the Cathedral, and lots more. So yeah, looking forward to The netherlands also.. and of course, looking forward to coming home and seeing family and friends and especially Peyton, can´t wait to see her, have heard many good things about her soo far. Well, that is all for now, dad is probably sleeping in bed already, so I shall go do the same maybe, I will see. Agian thank you for the comments.
Every step we are a step closer.
-Jakob

Day 27- Villifranca-Vego de Valcarce- 174km left

Yesterday we called steph, it was good to hear her voice and hear the kids voice. Also, we went up town and guess what we bought!!! Ear plugs. I will tell you, they were amazing. We were looking for them all around town, so we went into the hardware store, but they didn´t sell them there, but they did sell big guns there, like hello!! We found them at the Pharamacia, only 3,00€. We went to the cafe and dad had a beer and I had a coke, and then we went back to the albequerque and we saw a relgioud prosestion. I went to bed while dad stayed up and had another beer and read his book. I can not tell you how amazing those earplugs were, very good, couldn´t hear a thing.
Today we woke up at 6:30, like hello dad, we only have to hike 20km today!!!!! But it turned out a good idea. First of all we took the wrong route, there were three we could have taken, one went through the mountains, one went along the highway, and the other went into the middle of now where where there were no towns of anything. We tried to take the one in the mountain, the first one, but we took a wrong turn, we went on the one that went by the highway, so after hiking to 30mins we realized that. So we turned around. people were looking at us weird and saying ¨Santiago is the other way!!¨ and we just nodded and said yes. So we found the right trail, and it was really really steep, good for the leg muscles. IT kept on going, up and up and up and up. Once at the top we could see forever, really cool, and we could also see the highway that we would have hiked along. Not fun. So we hiked along the mountain, perfect weather too, cloudy and cool. We hiked for around 5km and we took a break, had an amazing view. So now, after all that up, we had to go down, and down we went. It was really steep. Good for the other leg muscle, felt really good, but my legs were right tired by the time we got to the bottom. Like I said we left at 6:30 and we got to the first town at 10:30, only 8km away from our starting point, shows you what uphill and down hill does to you. So we got to the little town and we looked for a bar, but we couldn´t find one, so we just went to a supermarket and bought a yogurt drink, icecream, and peaches. After eat all that, we went to leave the town, and guess what we saw while leaving the town....A bar :( I said "we could stop again" and dad said "NOT!"
So we hiked for a while longer, along the highway, not fun, I think the 8km along the highway was more tiring than the mountain we climbed. We got to another little town where there was a bar, so we stopped there. Took my shoes off and man did they stink, almost knocked me right over when I smelt them. After a sufficient break, we walked the last 3.5km, where we got to the Albequerque. A nice place, but not as upper class as we have been staying in before, but thats ok, as long as we have a bed and a shower and a kitchen. Shower felt really good. our view, to our left we are looking up the mountain that we have to climb tomorrow and a very old castle. Very beautiful. Well, that is all I am going to write. oh for dinner we are going to have Pissgetti again!! Yes, with spicy meat this time, yummy, and I guess we are both making it tonight, not just me. Well ta ta for now.
Everyone has there quiet place, for me, it is the mountains.
-Jakob

This is Klaas´s Input on July 25. read Jakob´s too

Well, it was quite day. After a lousy sleep (a cricket kept me awake all night, so much for sleeping by an open window)we got ready to go. cafe coneleche, a peachand a granola bar were good enough to get us to the first down where we could sit down for a proper breakfast: cafe con leche and a croissant. So much for losing weight on this hike. In good spirits we trodded along paved roads. Nothing too exciting. We stopped in a t a small store for somelunch supplies: a Yop like drink, except ina large bottle and just as cheap, some cookies and dried fruit. Also ate the other peach. After lunch we had a fairly significant climb, and then we were in a beautiful place; vineyard upon vineyard, as far as the aye could see. I envy those hiking when the grapes are ripe. Too early now yet, I can tell from experience. The path went up and down through another dmall village, when I spotted black berries, or bramen. The first of the season, so sweet and so good. There are millions of them, but no ripeones until today. Eventually we arried in Villafranca. After checking in we went to town to buy dinner supplies. Were we in for a surprise. There was a huge open air market in the town. Anyhthing from dresses to bunches of garlic, to brass, to squid prepared right in fron of you, it was all there. Great. It looked like the whole town was there.
After we were back at the refuge it was nap time. After all everything closes down from 2 till 5. Jakob did not even wake up from the alarm at 4;00, but I did, so I had to kick him out of bed. He was the one to make omelettes tonight. When we got to the kitchen there was this sign: only boiling, no frying. So much for omelettes. Boiled eggs instead, with chesse and ham and red peppers, tomatoes bread and the inevitable bottle of white wine (semi dulce) on the side. Thea, I think we´re turning into alcoholics, not catholics. Jaob is joining right in with me.
Anyway, we finally got rid of our postcards, found out at the hardware store, where they also sell guns, that you buy earplugs at the pharmacy, and here we are in an internet cafe. Life is good. Get up eat, walk, eat, walk, sing, walk, eat, do laundry, eat, visit town, blog, sit around, sleep. What a life! And the nicest part is that we have no idea whatsoever what is going on in this world. NO STRESS!!!
And so with 7 minutes left I will leave it at that. Oh, wait a minute, I forgot an imprtant detail. Today we got to use our rain gear for the first time...... for ten minutes. Trish, we miss you and love you, it was good to speak to all of you on the phone, especially Alayna and Austyn. Tomorrow we walk on, and we will look to to North and the South (sorry Danielle).
Klaas

Day 26- Ponderrada-Villafranca- 196km left.

so today was a 23 km hike, nice and easy. Last night was really cool, this english guy from london england played some music on his guitar that he had written, it was not very good. Apperently it is just fine if you smoke weed in a public place, but yeah, what ever. I had an amazing sleep, didnt want to get up in the morning, but hey, what else was I going to do. so we started hiking after eating a granola bar and drinking a hot chocolate, coffee con leche for my dad. today was supposed to be very, but the first part wasn´t. We walked beside the road most of the time, but then we turned off the road into kilometers and kilometers of grapes, lots of vineyards. It was very cool, got a lot of pictures of that, so far 684pictures taken. ummm, nothing really exciting happened today, besides the fact that we got under the 200km mark, we drank to that. so we got to the Albequerque, and went to our beds. The internet was free again, but it was not working, and they didn´t know why, so from the skills that my awesome cousin, rick meima, taught me, I made it work. So I checked all the comments that you guys put on the blog, very good people, Gracias. So tonight was going to be omeletes for supper,hmmm eggs. So we bought all the stuff, first having to walk through an open air market which I am sure my dad will comment about, very cool. We got to the albequerque after shopping and we decided that I would start making supper at 4:00. it was 3:15 so I decided to take a nap, I set the watch alarm for 4. When it was 4 o´clock I was awaken, not by the alarm, but by my dad, I had not heard the alarm at all. So I started making supper. One problem, we were not allowed to fry anything in the kitchen, only boil. Sooooo.... I made hard boiled eggs, which we put on the freshest bread that we have had the whole trip, along with ham and really good cheese(Queso). Also along with it we had a bottle of 1.45€ Rijoa white semi sweet wine, very good. So the day was good, it is currently 7:00 but still 31 degrees. yikes. so, we shall see you in a few weeks, keep on reading the blog. tomorrow is a nice hike, but the day after we climb 1200meters. Shall be good fun. Anyways, have a good one all of you.
And tomorrow night we shall toast to you, all of the you people that are reading the blog, thank you.
-Jakob

Day 24,25/ Astorga/Acebo/Ponferrada, 215km left!

Sorry about no internet, we were in a beautiful town on the mountain side, very nice. All the roofs were slate no red clay. Anyways, about our days.
Yesterday dad and I woke up at around 6 and were out the door by 630. Today was only going to be a 24km hike, nice and easy, to the top of the mountain, yippy!
So we started hiking, and we were over joyed by the sceanery that we got to see. It was very nice, finally we got to see mountains after 7 days of hiking on the plains. So we hiked and we hiked and we hiked, till we got to this little town where we stopped. It was the end of the trail for some people, but not for dad and I, we were feeling just awesome. So we hiked another 5km, we hiked up 300meters in 5km, so a little bit of a steep climb. When we got to the top, the rest of the people that we were hiking with stopped, but again, not dad and I, we just kept on trucking. This spot was going to be our origonal stopping place, 24km, but no, we went farther.
We got to the cross that dad mentioned last time, got a picture of me beside it. There was a whole wack of tourists there also. It was really cool, because this was the place where we were supposed to bring a rock from home and throw it over our shoulder and then all of our troubles would be rid of. But of course, first of all, we don't have any trouble, including blisters Doris, and yes, we forgot to take a rock from home, so we just kept on walking. Next stopm hippy place.
So we hiked for another 4 km and we got to this hippy place. It was in the middle of no where with no electricity and no plumbing. We stopped there and we bought 2 post cards, one for laura and one for danielle,but we were not going to sleep in that place so.....you guessed it....... we kept on walking. We walked for another 7.3km or so, to a place called Acebo. We had to decline 300m in a matter of km, really really steep. So we got to Acebo at around 4, and we had hiked for 10hours, for a total of 38.4km!!!! Talk about a long hike. Dad and I were not even as tired as the day before. So we just walked around the town, and watched Tour de France with a bunch of Belgians, and then had dinner. Dad had Spinach Pissgetti, and I had Normal Pissgetti, dad and I thought, both out of the package, but still really good. After dinner I went straight to bed, I was tired afterall, dad, being the rebel, still stayed up and had another beer, sitting on a bench in front of the pub where we had early seen a raving arguement between to old guys about who knows what. There was one word that the one guy kept on saying Colchones, which mean in Spanish, Kloo.....ak, explicit. dad I and really had a good laugh about that. Anyways, we both had an amazing sleep.
Next day, we woke up at 7,15. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRHTDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR EILKO, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!!!!!!!!!
we were only going to hike 18km today to Ponferrada, nice and easy. It was all down hill, no uphill, kinda hard on the knees. We got here at 11,30, and we had to wait till 2 till the ablequerque would open, so we just sat and talked to people. Once it was open it was like a mad rush to get first inline, me being quick and smart, quickly ran to second place in the line, but... there was a second line forming to my right, where one of our friends, who we had met while he was dancing to an amazing guitar player who played the guitar behind his back. The owner of the place said ther was only one line allowed, so, our friend, budged infront of us. That was fine with dad and I. When it was his turn get his book stamped and pay for the night, he let us go infront of him, what a nice guy. He said a bunch of Spanish that made no sense to dad and I, we just nodded and said Si. Well we are now in our room 2bunk beds in one room and we are going to go to the castle soon, and look for a phonecard so I don't have to waste dads money throwing coins down a credit card slot of the phone machine.....don't ask. well, that is all for today, tomorrow we are hiking to......never mind, you will find out tomorrow.
-On all the peaks lies peace!
Bye
-Jakob, and klaas

Klaas is Tired after a fast hike, July 22

Just want to say that we are both dog tired. I even had a nap this afternoon, and am ready for bed even though it is only 8:37. Must say that Jakob comes up with good dinner ideas. Tonight it was chicken quesedillas (?) complete with garlic and red peppers and onions. Oh and a bottle of delcious white wine. Why can´t they get it like that in Canada? Any way, I think we´re tired because of the fast pace we had today, Wewere both eager to do some climbing and once Jakob starts going up there is no stopping him, and I do my best to keep up. Met two people from Holland yesterday and I told the girl , who is 11 , that she would be a part of our story, so here it is, Madelief (mah de leef) Dutch for Daisy started inb Leon, and was excited about this hike, But when we woke up this morning they wer nowhere to be found.I think they moved to anothr room since we had some snorers, not me of course. Tonight Jakoba and I are sleeping with two women from Hungary :) And then there is tomorrwo, another day. Supposedly it willgo up to 33 degrees, so lots of water will be needed. Now it is way past my bedtime, so good night.
"On a hill far away, stood an old rugged¨cross" (we´ll see the cross tomorrow, except it´s made of iron.
Klaas

Day 23-Villadegos Del Paramo- Astorga 272kmleft

Well, last night was very nice. for supper we had pisgetti(Sphagetti) again, very good. We met this dutch lady and her daughter yesterday, her daughter is the youngest girl we have seen on the trail, 11 years old. We talked to them for a while, and got to know how much they were doing and such. When we told them that we left at 9:30 and we got the albequerque at 2:00, hike 28km, they said "wow, you walk sniel!" We also met this Korean guy who ate the left over food that we had, or couldn´t finish. He had gone to many places, like rome and such, and now he is doing the hike.
The Albequerque was amazing I must say.
Today we woke up at 6:00, and were out the door by 6:15, had couissantes and hotchocolate for breaky. Todays hike was only 25km, but still not bad. The first part of the hike was really boring because it was right beside the road and lots of traffic. After our break for our second breakfast, same thing, we finally got to the nice part of the hike.
MOUNTAINS!!!!!!!!! We did our first hike today, well our first little incline today. It felt so good to use the leg muscles again, finally they had something to do. The views were finally really good and not boring, flat stuff, but hills all over and many mountains around.
Tomorrow is a big incline to start, it is going to be a 28km hike, so pretty long, but like I always say to dad, childs play.
Well, our number of countries met is up to 17 now, we just met a brazilian lady. and no I am not going to name them all. I will another time when dad is not sleeping so he can help me remember them all.
Well, that is all that I can type today because I don´t know what else to say, other than WE NEED MOST COMMENTS PLEASE!!!! hehe, but don´t feel preasured. Well byebye
"WOOO HOOO, MOUNTAINS!!!!!"
-Jakob

Day 22- Leon-Villadangos Del Paramo- 303km left

Not much of a rest dad!
Dad and I both decided that we may as well just got hike a few kilometers, like 10 or so, but today we ended up hiking a whole 23 km. Needless to say I am happy about that, because that means we are closer to the Destination. We didn´t leave till around 9:30, but by the time we got our bearings straight and knew where we were going, it was probably 10:15am.
But before I tell you about our travelling, I shall tell you about Leon. Leon Cathedral is definetly not as nice as the Burgos Cathedral, but the stain glass windows in there are amazing, hard to get pictures of them to show the amazingness of them.Oh, and we bought a Post Card for Steph. Laura if you give me your address I will send you one too. and I need Danielle´s. Sorry other folks, Imediate family members only!! hehe.
For Supper or Dinner, dad and I went to a subway like place, but instead of subs it served Kabab Hamburgers, or Chicken and mushroom and Bree Cheese and a Bagette. We met these people from the States and they said the exact same thing we did. "Kinda like a subway"
So after Supper dad and I went for Icecream, Dad had Strawberry Cheese cake and I had Three Chocolates. Bery Bery good. (When the spanish talk english the can´t say the V, they say it as B, so it is Bery) Dad wanted a beer so we went to a bar and bought a beer and a coke, it cost 4,60€!!!!!!!! Dad also wants me to tell you guys that he ate a whole plate of olives with beer, so he is pretty proud of himself. there were alot of Street Performers, 2 Accordian players and a Puttetier.Dad and I decided to give laura a call to say congratulations for the Baptism and the birth of Peyton(hope I spelt it right), laura you sounded very surprised to see us, and Jason had no idea who I was, come on Jason! just kiddin. Yes Laura I got a picture of the Square where we were talking to you. Again another boring day, just hiked along the road, and saw many big trucks go by, and got honked at by a few people, but other than that, not much to see. We got here at around 3:00. Dad and I were just walking along and I saw this beautiful building, and I mean really nice. Chairs in the front of the building in the shade of some really nice trees on Green grass, just very nice. I said to dad "could you imagine if that was our Albequerque" and dad said "doesn´t it say Alberquerque Municipal on the front?" and it did, so we are now in this beautiful place with free internet, and wonderful single beds and good cooking facilities and good bathrooms and just everything is nice.
Well, I don´t know how many days left of hiking it is, but who cares, it will end when it wants to, well I guess when we finish the hike it will end.
A random thought, I just have to say that European coke is way better than North American coke. Just had to say that. Sorry for the randomness there.
Well, that is all I am going to write because I have nothing else to write about. Oh tomorrow is another flat day but then we get mountain, wooh hoo, and if tomorrow is boring, I will name al the different countries that people are from that we have met on the trail and tell you something about them.
Bye bye.
"I lift my eyes up, to the mountains....." which I cannot see yet but am looking forward to seeing them.!!
Bye
-Jakob

Day 21 El Burgo Ranero-Mansilla De Las Mullas-Leon 326.1km left!!

today we do 2 days in one day. We woke up at around 6:00am. Nice and late. The night before dad had bought stuff for breakfast and such because there were no towns in between.So out the door we went, and wouldn´t you know it, the bar down the road was open. So we walked in and we ordered a coffee and a Cola Coa, and we also got a free package of Oreo cookies!!!!!! What a great start to the day, but we knew we had a long day ahead of us. So we started walking. The first part wasn´t bad because it was nice and cool. Again today we walked by moon light, but while walking, we saw the most beautiful Sun rise I have ever seen, got 6 pictures of it. it was amazing. The sun was a perfect circle, very cool. The moon was still up while the sun was up. So the heat began. As you know, today was only a 18.9km day, but it was all beside the road and there were no little towns in between, so it made for a very long day. We stopped three times. I have to say that dad was just givin´ it today, he was going faster than I was going. I looked up and he was way ahead of me. So we got to Mansilla De Las Mullas as around 10:45am! Quick hiking dad! We started to look for the bus station, because last night I had a brain wave.... it is a short day today so we may as well take the bus to LEon right away today! what a good idea! So dad and I started looking and gues who we met?!?!?!?! Fiona, she had left us a few days back to go pick up a parcel that her hubby had sent, but it wasn´t there, so yesterday she hike in the evening, she said it was really long. But yes, we met up with her while she was walking to the bus station to go to Leon. So we have just spent the last 2 and a half hours sitting and talking and drinking coke and coffee. Dad went for a little walk, and fiona and I talked. So tomorrow we rest...YESSS!!!!!!!!!!! Can´t wait. only 13 days of hiking left!! hehehehe, here we come mountains. heres dad.
There really is not much to add about today, so heres just a bit about yesterday. i fianally managed to figure out how to use the public phone to make an international call, so it was the first time in almost 3 weeks that I got to talk to Trish. Hi Trish, it was great to hear your voice. Everyone else, make sure you give her a call once in a while, but not too often.
The other thing was the wonderful dinner we had yesterday (not). Weiners in the microwave with ketchup and, yes Laura, Kraft singles!. Yuk, so we washed it down with a whole bottle of Rioja wine, and we both agreed that I have the wifest nicest in the whole Canada. Slee pwas good, except for the annoying American lady (sorry Gloria) who spent about 45 minutes putting stuff in her pack, and it seemed it was all in plastic bags.
There is another mystery. We both go to bed with two earplugs in our ears, but Jakob usually wakes up with only one left, and the other is nowhere to be found, no matter how hard we look (mostly in the dark). TTFN

Day 19-20 Hondillas- Los Templarios- El Burgo- 365km left

Again sorry for not posting yesterday, didn´t have internet, had to search to find this computer also. So what happened these last few days? Well let me tell you.
Yesterday was LOOOOONNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!! like really long. It was 27km and 17 of that was in the middle of no where with no places to stop, just hot flat ground. After hiking for 7km there was a bar in the middle of no where, but after that, nothing. Dad and I were both done, it felt like we wouldn´t be able to go on. We stayed in a nice little albequerque, with comfy beds, and good supper and such. Watched Tour de France at 5, but first the ladies had to watch their Spanish Soap Operas. I beat dad at Crazy eights yesterday, score is 7-3.
Today we got up at 5:15am, yes, really early. We were making today longer so tomorrow would be shorter. Today was 28km, but there were alot of little towns along the way, so it was nice. It was about 34 degrees in the sun today, really hot while walking. But once we got here, we found an albequerque, but the thing is, the one we are staying in is not the one that we wanted to stay in, it isn´t as nice. all we have to cooking is a microwave, so we are having good ol´hot dogs tonight. Tomorrow is only a 18km hike, and then the day after that we are going to take the bus into Leon. I know you are saying, well that is cheating, but if you want to walk right beside a main highway, and into the slums and stuff like that, we don´t really want to do that, and it is actually suggested in our book to take the bus, so that is what we are going to do. Then we are going to take a break in LEon, and look around and stuff, and the day after we are going to hike around 10km. But anyways, that is all that is really knew, we just met an Americain who is living in Greece, and has camped in the Sahara, and stuff like that, she is really interesting. Last night we had dinner with two Germans, a Korean and an Americain. It was fun. I shall hopefully write again tomorrow. Thanks for the comments.
The Number behind is getting bigger than the number in front!!!!!!!!!
Ps, thanks eilko for finding out the prices for the shirt, would that be the dutch jersey, or just a shirt.!!
Bye bye
So now I am grumpy! checked into the wrong albergue of all things. and this is such a neat place, completely made of adobe, a clay and straw mixture. Oh well, its hotdogs int hte microwave tonight. at least we have ketchup and cheese slices and real hotdigs buns. I was a bit worried about getting stuff for tomorrwo, because on Saturday the town basically shuts down, but I found a little corner store, so we have dinner, breakfast and lunch.
And now I am cheered up because I have figured otu how to make a call to Canada, so were going tpo try that tonight.
The hik ewas hot, not too exciting, but at least there were a few towns in between, which made it seem a bit shorter. Leg feels good, I am not too tired and tomorrow will be only 19 km, so a short one. were both looking forward to a day of in Leon. Till tomorrow.
klaas. "I see a cloud like a mans hand"

Day 18- Fromista-Corrion del Condor- 422.9km left

Well, that sleep was a little better. I had a comfy bed, and dad had to sleep on the top bunk last night because I made him, no he offered. but I woke up twice, once because it was too warm and the other time because it was too cold. We were out of the door by 6:30. and eating breakfast by 7:30. I had a jamon and queso Bocadillos, and dad had a tortilla. He had a coffee con leche, and I had a cola coa. There was this dog there ,that the guy said in spainish that we couldn´t quite understand, came to his shop every morning and he gave him a huge chunk of meat. those of you that know my dog roo, this dog was kinda like her in a way, he didn´t chew his food, just glupped it down. After that very large sandwich, we carried on hiking. Kind of a boring hike today because we hiked beside the highway all day, not very fun. We came to a little town and took our first break after 2.5 hours. There was this large church there...but it was closed of course, but my dad´s Hungarian lady friend said that it would be open at 10:30, so we waited. At 10:30 we all made our way to the church, beautiful. But before I let my words get away from me, dad is going to talk about this in his post, so I will shut up about that.
In the whole town that we were in, there was not a place to go to the washroom. No where, so dad and I both decided that we would wait till we were out of town for a bit, and then find a little bush and go to the washroom. I had spotted a perfect place, but dad stole it, so I had to climb into bushes and prickels all for going to the bathroom, well worth it I might add.
only 6 km left till desination. I asked dad how many steps there were in a kilometer. Dad said that today we were going to do about 21,000 steps! that alot. I started counting when we had 3km left to the 2km left sign and I got 1264 steps, not bad.
when we were almost in the town, there was this big flock of sheep on the trail, with a shepherd. Yes, that right, you read it right, a flock of sheep with a shepherd. They were just waking on the trail infront of us, dad and I both wondered how we would get past them, but with just one little wistle, the sheepdog made all the sheep move over so we could get past, pretty amazing.
So tonight we are staying in a Monostary, 13th century. A very nice place, with single beds, no bunks!!!!! Tonight dad and I are going to go to a concerto, hopefully, that is going to happen in the church there. Should be interesting.
Well, to mr. Alles, you would love to do this hike, it is amazing!!!!!
And to everyone else, thanks for the comments, and see you in a month.
Ta Ta
-Jakob
No i´ll just add my 20 cents worth. I am not going to talk about the hike. it was basically not that exciting today. there was this trail beside the road for most of the way and that´s it. they do thta to attract >Spanish tourists, they are called sendas.
So instead you need to start looking for other interesting things and here it is. we entered the church Jakob was talking about. Imagine this; built in the 13th centurey by the knights Templar, protecotrs of the pilgrimm roads. it was very high, and neat to see. and tucked away in a corner stood this wee little organ, kind of like a cupboard. Jakob, braver than his dad, asked the guy if I could play on it,and I was. So the guy, plugged in the pump, no manual pumping this time, opened up the cupboard doors to reveal the pipes and took off the cover of the key board. Then i got to play, lovely sound, you have no idea. Soft little flutes. i just played for a bit and ended with playing psalm 98. When the last chord was played it reverberated throughout the building for about 4 seconds. And what was also cool was that the audience included Felipe, son of King ferdinand III and his wife who have been patiently lying there for hundreds of years, waiting for just this moment. that was the highlight of the day. Keep thos comments coming, as we go back on the trail tomorrow, sometimes in silence, sometimes siinging songs, from Les Mis to Swing Low.
"Sing to the Lord a new song".

Klaas

Day 17-Castrojeriz- Fromista-443km left

Well, I have to say, that was the worst sleep I have ever had. Last night we stayed in a albequerque that was fly infested. Well, there was jut alot of flies. While on the computer or reading a book, you could barely stand still because there was so many flies. As I went to bed, I had to dance while brushing my teeth. while in bed, I just could not get comfy, and the flies were annoying. I finally got smart enough and put my long sleeve shirt on, though it was hot, it stoped the flies from getting to me.
So today, we didn´t start hiking till around 6:34 because I was slow to get up and such. our first part of the hike ws a very large up hill. It was the first climb in a long time, felt really good, I could have run up it. Once on top we had the most beautiful view ever. Lots of windmill and lots of farming land. So the day was really flat, like really flat, but still really nice. It our guide book, it says that people say this is a really boring part of the trip, but I find it really nice, and easy. At around 10:30 it started getting hot, around 32 degrees, too hot while hiking, but we were almost there. So we finished hiking the 26km hike for the day and crossed one of the many water gates for a canal. The canal has 40 gates, pretty big canal too. We got to the Albequerque, and the guy told us where our beds were. My turn for the bottom bunk. I right away took a shower. After that, I went to a bar and watch the tour de france and drank a beeeeeeee..... coke. Then I went back to the Albequerque and dad and I played some Crazy eights. I WON!!!!!!! hehehe, the score is 5-2 for dad. Not good.
Out for dinner tonight. Fiona felt bad for not being able to cook for us tonight, so she said she would buy us dinner. Dad and I both had a serving of Macaroni and Fiona had a large salad, that was one large salad, could have fed a whole family. Second course, dad and I had fried eggs and french fries and bacon, and Fiona had Sausages and French Fries. After finishing the bottle of wine and most of the bread, the waiter dude brought us a cold cake, hmmmmm very good. So now dad and I are here in a bar updating my blog. I hope all of you are not mad at me for not updating my blog earlier, but guess what.... LIVE WITH IT!!! I AM ON VAKANTIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mom, you shopping list better not be tooooo long, because I still have to fit my stuff in the suit case.
Well, that is all for today. Dad and I have to go for a foot rub.. hehehehe.
bye
Hup Holland

Day 15-16, Burgos-Hornillos Del Camino-Castrojeriz. 468.5km Left

Sorry for not posting yesterday, we were in a tiny little town in between two huge mesetas with no internet. But I shall tell you about the days events.
Before I tell you about the days happenings, I shall tell you what happened in Burgos. Dad and I stayed in that Albequerque out of town. I had walked into town to see if there was a bakery open or not, but because it was ciesta, there was none open, so back to the Albequerque. At around 6:30, after dad had kicked my butt in a few games of Crazy eights, we have started a crazy eights tournament, person with the most wins in Santiago, wins, we went to town for Supper. We went straight to the Kabob place that we had gone the day before. After supper we went for and Ice cream , I bought, and then we went to the Square. While walking to the square, you will never guess who we met. Yes thats right, Ceaser and Kate. They were just sitting there looking at the marvelous Cathedral. Kate had a cast on the left foot, dad and I wondered what happened. Kate told us this long story, but the outcome of the story was that she had tendinitis and she had to stay off her foot for 2 days so she was not able to hike so they would be taking the bus to maybe catch up to a few people. wow, that was alot. So after talking to them for a while we said good bye.
Back at the Ablequerque dad sat and talked to a dutch guy, and I went and sat in line for the internet, but never got on, and talked to these two german boys.
So yesterday we woke up and were out the door bye 6:30. Not bad. todays hike was only 19km. nice and easy, it was really flat. I finally figured out how to make black and white pictures on my camera, and I got a really nice one. So we walked into the town, and the first thing we saw was a store, so we went in the store and bought some food. For supper it was Spagehtti with some really good meat. hmmmm, very good. After a few more games of crazy eights, I went to bed. 8:00pm wow.
I had an amazing sleep, but still tired.
Todays hike was 21.2 km long, not that bad. We were hiking on Mesetas today. After hiking five kilometers we ran into fiona who had just woken up and was begining her day. Hiked another 5 km and then got to a town called Hontanas. It really didn´t look like there was going to be a town for another 20 km, but then all of a sudden a big drop and there was a town, with a store. Dad had 2 coffees and a piece of eggs stuff and a piece of cake, I had a coke and a cola coa, and 2 pieces of that egg thing. Very good. It was 5.7 km till our next stop. Very nice piece of hiking. Threw fields and more fields and trees. Along the way I got a very nice picture of a fludderbye (Butterfly). Out stop was at the ruins of the Convento de San Anton. Very nice place. Dad met 4 dutch bikers who had biked all the way from The Netherlands and we hoping to be in Santiago in two days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! thats 400km in two days!!!! Well, we kept on hiking and here we are, in a town that has a wonderful view, and a castle on top of a mountain, but it is in Ruins, but still wonderful. The Albequerque we are staying in is very nice, really old. Tonight we are going to have supper with Fiona. We are making it, she is taking the wine and bread. Bread in Manditory.
Well, that is alot of writing for 2 days, but thats ok. I thank you all for the wonderful comments. Hope you are all having a wonderful summer. Miss you all, well my family, hehe. Bye bye
B-E-A-UTIFUL!
-Jakob

I did no tread everyting Jakob wrote. but mine will be brief this time. Whoever said that this part of the trip would be boring was completely wrong. It is great. we have walked through grain field after grainfield, seen a beautiful sunrise, had delicious cafe con leche, visited a wonderful ancient ruin of a convent, observed the ruin of a castle on a hill, and right now we are in the most charming refuge. It is very old but again we have a bed by the window, and it is very quiet. The guidebook says that this town seems to be on a permanent siesta, and it really is true.
The leg is much better. Really took it easy yesteday and most of today, and I will rest again now. The swelling and soreness are going away, so I shoul dbe able to keept up with Jakob pretty soon again. Trish, we both miss your voice, but we have not yet been able to figure out how to phone with a phone card. Don´t be surprised when we do call though. And all you guys talking about us? What´s that all about.
Life is simple: sleep, eat, wash clothes, take care of your feet, and that´s all. Tonight we have a dinner guest, Fiona from Cornwall England. Hope we manage to put soemthing decent together. She´s bringing the bread and wine.
"How beautiful are the feet...."

Day 14, Burgos, 1.7km, 504km left

So here we are again. 1 km closer to our goal. It felt good to take a break, especially with my leg the way it felt. Slept well in our little hotel, till about 8:30. which is amazing considering we are used to getting up at about 5:30. Took thwe opportuinty to repck my pack. The swelling on my ankle had gone done a bit, but stiil tender. Fortunately no hijking today, a day of rest, appropriately on a Sundat too. Thea and Betty left at about 6:00 this morning, we will miss them. After we checked out we went to our main goal of the day, the cathedral. Ill let Jakobt alk about that some more. Let it suffice to say that we sopent about an hour and a half in there and never saw anything twice. And how many organs: 3, 4, no six organs. six in one building. When we were done we looked for a place to eat, since we had not had any breakfast, We got lucky they had birds in a nest on the menu.
Jakob wanted to take soem pics from the castle on the hill, so I just stayed by the cathedral and had a nother coffee with wat erbij. So cool to see all those people walking by having a grand old time. Many families too, just spending time togther. We culd learn something from the Spanish when it comes to that.
We ran into one of Jakobs friends from Spain, Salva the pharmacist who is learning English fast. I showed him my leg and he confirmed it is tendonitis. He gave me the cure too, rest, cream and a brace. So when we saw a pharmacy not too far from there we got the stuff we needed and Iam good to go tomorrow. It is a short stretch, only 19 km so all should be well. Now if I can only get along with Jakob since we have nonone else with us anymore. Should be fin though, hes already running into new pilgrims from Canada, Switzerland and Germany. See you tomorrow.
Foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests¨but the Son of Mam has no place to lay his head .quote from the guide book stage 13.
Klaas.
Alright, now it is my turn.
Well after saying good bye to Mrs. Ewald and Betty dad and I watched some tv, Womens water polo Spain vs Russia, but after 10 mins we said good night and fell asleep. I had an amazing sleep, on a nice bed with good blankets. Woke up at about 9. Today dad and I wanted to visit the Cathedral. I had already gotten some good pictures yesterday, but they were from outside, today was the insides turn for a photo shoot. So the first thing we did was make our way to the Cathedral. The first thing I said when I walked in was "wow" The first room we went in was the Relics room, it was very large, and the celing was amazing. So much detail. Dad and I both decided that nothing in the church was made the same, besides the patterns of things, but all the engraving in the walls, and on the wood of the chairs and such, nothing was the same. Yesterday we had gone in a chapel that we were not allowed in, but lots of peopel we doing it, and we had seen an organ. Today we saw 5 more organs, like wow. And they were all fairly large also. FIVE organs, thats crazy. The stain glass that is in that place is just unbelievable. But I have to say, the thing was just to big to get one good picture of the whole thing, so I took a whole lot of little ones, but it is still not as good as seeing it in person.
As my dad has said I went up to the castle to get a good picture of the cathedral. That was alot of steps to get up there, probably a few hundred steps. But once I was up there, it was beautiful, the size of the cathedral compared to the whole city is crazy. It is sooooooooo big. I got some nice pictures, but it made me mad because there was a crane, machine crane, right infront of the cathedral, but I took pictures anyways.
So after going down the stairs and meeting up with dad, we were about to leave when Salva came and said hi to dad and I. Dad asked him what he could do about his shin and ankle, and Salva told him, in very good english I might add. Salva has had only one year of lessons in english and the rest he has learned on the trail. Very good.
So we are here now, 1.7 km away from the cathedral and we are only doing 19 km hike tomorrow. Probably good thing for dad. My body is just feeling perfect and there is only 20 stages. to go, hehehe. I have met a few english speaking people. One Swiss, who is from switzerland, no duh, and a French Canadian, from Quebec, who is in the Army as an infantry soldier, and a german boy is the same age as I am.
Well, that is all I am going to write today. I am going to say hi to ceaser and Kate, if you guys read this, hope you are having a good time. Also Mrs. Ewald and Betty, hope you had a good bus ride to where ever you were going, and have a good rest of the hike.
Again I thank all of you for the comments. We will keep you updated on dads ankle and shin.
"When in doubt, follow the perigrinos" My quote.
Jakob

Day 13- Ages- Burgos- 505km left

Break Time
Today we didn´t leave until around 20 to 7 because we had breakfast in a bar, and I went on the internet for 6 mins and talked to friends for a few mins. After breakfast we started to make our way to Burgos. Around 3 km later, Cesear and Kate joined us. I talked to them for most of the trip. We talked about different religions. They are Catholic, so we talked about the differences between catholic and protestant. It was really interesting actually. We stopped another time fora croissant and coke and coffee. After that we walked all the way to burgos. I had a bleeding nose halfway there so we stopped until it stopped. Dads ankle is really swollen, but it isn´t sore, it is his shin that is sore. We are going to look for a pharmacy tomorrow and see if we can find something for his shin. We visited the Burgos Cathedral. IT IS HUGE!!!!!!!!!! it is so big I had to be like 100 meters away to beable to take a picture of it. But dad and I are going to get the tour tomorrow. Today there were a few wedding going on, and also a painting exhibition. After each wedding they would light off fire crackers, and I have to say, in that big square by the cathedral, it is loud! Like really loud. The detail and stuff that is in every little piece of that church is amazing, so cool. After looking at that for a while, dad and I walked back to the hotel room, yes a hotel, we are staying in a one star hotel tonight and then tomorrow night we are going to the albequerque. I have to say it is nice to beable to sleep on a nice bed and use a real towel and have you own shower and all that good stuff. We started watching the Tour de France but then I fell asleep until now, and now we are in the internet cafe. Well, I guess dad will write some now.

we had a late start becasuse of th ebreakfast in Ages. What AJkob did not say was that the lady was super friendly, something we don´t see all the time. She even taught me how to say croissants in Spanish. The hike itself was disappointing, except for the first ten km or so. After that it wasmostly through industrial territory, untile we finally got to the real city. Like Jakob said, beautiful. I have never seen a cathedral like that.There must be at least 6 different chapels in the cathedral alone, some which could house the Smithers Canref. Church. I have seen three organs so far, and too much sculpture to write about. Jakob is oding a good job taking pictures, though it is not the same as being there. Burgos is a very lively city, though things are settling down now. Most stores close for teh Saturdya afternoon. Hopefully we will be able to find a pharmacy tomorrow, my leg is kinda swollen and hurts sinificantly. we´ll see what they say. Forutnately only a few km´s tomorrw, like about 3 and than we´ll just rest for another day. After that it is off to the Meseta, where it is always supposed to be very hot and very flat. But that is a story for another day.

".. and step by step you´ll lead me, and I will follow you all of my days."

Well, we will talk to all of you tomorrow, I might not post tomorrow, I will see, I might just tell you all about our wanderings in the city, and looking at the cathedral and stuff like that. Make sure you leave a comment, hehe.
"We will break Dividing walls"
Oh and about that mom, the day before you left that comment, I was singing that song, like all day. Interesting.
Bye bye

A few comments from klaas

Hi all, It is always so much fun to read your encouraging comments. I almost get emotilanl reading some of them. Seriously. And we don´t have any touble topick out the best one of them all. Yes that´s you Trish. Today we did more than what we were supposed to do. It was a glorious day for hiking and we went through fabulous territory. Reminded me so much of Zuidlaren where I grew up. pine and oak and heather. God sure made his creation wonderful. It´s like walking inone huge church is what Iwas thinking. Made me wonder why we keep putting up so many walls. We sure didn´t come across any. What does that tell you. We also saw some pics of the camping thta is happening in BC. James looks cool with his big 15 horse. Must have been fun.
We got lucky today. First a private shower. You have no ideawhta a luxury that is after showering with 30 other men and women (not at the same time). Secondly, there is no store in this town, so Betty and Thea are treating us to dinner. Tomorrow our ways will part. I am hoping for a bit of a break in Burgos, hopefully find a cheap little motel.

The heavens declare... (ps 19?)
Klaas

Day 12- Belorado-Ages-532.2km left

Interesting
I will start with last night dinner. We were treated with Fish soup, Fried Chicken, and Caramel Custard. Well, I absolutely hated the soup, and I didn´t mind the chicken, and I dispise Custard. But all in all, it was good.
Today we started out by 6:10. Really hot night. I know, I complain about hot and cold offten. Today was supposed to be alot of climbing, but it really didn´t seem like it. We got to walk through a little forest. Dad said it reminded him of his home town, pretty cool. I walked with the Polish/English couple, we call them Pinglish, but their names are Ceaser and Kate. It was cool, talked about life, and what they were going to do after they were done the hike, and stuff like that. Dads shin was feeling a little bit better today, but it still hurt. I felt really good today, no sore muscles at all. We have done like 260km already. Not quite half way, but close enough.
Tomorrow is going to be a glorious day, taking a break, and sleeping in and all that good stuff. I am excited.
I am really enjoying myself so far. I have got a lot of beautiful pictures. Ceaser has the camera that I want, kinda like Jason´s(the brother in law jason)
I have decided that my next investment is going to be a road bike and when I done school I am going to go to either europe or australia and bike.
My dad just told me to mention the beautiful sceanery today, which there was. And....Betty is walking up town in her long underwear, NASTY!!, hehe. It is supposed to rain tomorrow, and it was nice and cool today. Well, that is all I really have to type. We are staying in a really nice alberquerque today. And yeah, thats it.
Again, I thank all for the comments.
Walking one step at a time
-Jakob

Day 11, Thursday-Santo Domingo De Calzada- Belorado-559.9km left.

The hike started at 802km
Well, today was around 24 km, not bad right, wrong. It started off all good, nice and cool. we got to the first town and had breakfast. Today we went into a new province, we were in La Rioja now we are in Castilla y Leon. So like usual betty was way ahead of us, not even in sight. mrs. Ewald, my dad and I stayed together today. 11 km of the 24 today were beside the highway, so it was not that nice. But the parts that were not beside the highway were beautiful. Today we also saw these little kittens and dogs, they were really cute. So we are here, and it is around 35 degrees, verz little humidity, and the pool that we just went swimming in, yes pool I will explain, is only 25 degrees.
While walking today we saw these posters for a alberquerque, and it had a pool on it. Right away mrs. Ewald and I said "we are staying there" So after a long day we got here and we found out that it was only donation, dad and I payed 5€ each. So, we have our own showers, pool, supper, and breakfast. No talk about nice albequerque.
Now I am going to tell you about my crappy sleep. Dad and I both thought that it was going to be to hot to have the sleeping bags, so we didnt both taking them out. After half way through night I woke up because it was so cold. The guz beside me did use the blanket that was on his bed so I stole his. I was still cold though. After that I did not have that much more sleep.
Well, I hope the weather gets better for you people in Smithers, and in Holland, it is only going to get hotter here. In two days we will be in Burgos and then dad and I are going to take a one day break, and that is where Betty and Mrs. Ewald are going to leave us.
Well I am out of time. We miss all of you, and reallz appreciate the comments. Sorry for the late post last night.
Bueno Dias
-Jakob

Day 10- Najera to Santa Domingo- 583 km left

Wow, that was easy
Today we woke up at around 6 and were out of the door by 6:20. Today was only at 21 km hike, nice and short. Dad and I both thought we should leave later because then we would get there to early, but no the ladies insisted that we left as usual. So we were off. It was supposed to be around 34 degrees and it was. We only made to stops. There were lots of nice flowers and stuff along the trail. Lots of different crops such as Potatoes, sugar beets, and grapes. Dad shin hurt today, so we took it easy today. It is alot nicer to go slow then to just think about getting there because you can actually see what you are hiking through. Basically we just hiked through alot of fields today. We got here at around 11:45, lots of time. The Albequerque did not open until 12 so dad and I just sat there. Betty and Mrs. Ewald had gone up ahead of us but we did not see them, so we just sat there. At 12 o´clock we got let into our room, a nice room with about 6 beds in it. It turned out that Betty and Mrs.Ewald checked into a different hostel than we did, so we are not sleeping in the same hostel tonight, ah well. After taking showers and doing laundry we played a game of cards. The game is called smear, we have been playing it for the last few days and today was the last game, so mrs, Ewald and I had to win. After around 20 mintues we lost :( Dad and Betty were the Champions, not good. We let Betty and Mrs. Ewald go and do their internet thing while dad and I made dinner. HAMBURGERS!!!!! We also had a salad beside and a Melon for dessert. It was very good. Well, that is all that had happened today so I am going to say thank you all for posting comments, again it is great to see that people are actually reading. Only 583 km left until we get to go to holland!! See you all in more than a month.!
Bon appetit!!!!!!!!!!
-Jakob

Day 9- Tuesday-Logroño-Najera 604km left

Wow, a 29.4 km hike today!!!! Seems impossible
I woke up at around 5:40. We were not allowed to leave until 6 am! I just layed in bed, because I did not feel that well. The night before I have drunk 9 cokes, probably not smart. I sat by the toilet just in case I had to puke, but I didn´t, so I packed up all my stuff and we were off by 6:10!! The earliest so far. After yesterdays 27 km hike today seemed impossible, we were so wiped after yesterday. I was really regreating today, but once we got on the trail it wasn´t that bad. Todays hike was kinda boring though, most of it was beside the highway, so we had to put up with all the loud noises. One cool thing was all the big truck drivers were honking and waving at us, one yelled "Buen Caminooooooooooo!!!!" We only made 3 stops today, one for breakfast, one just for the heck of it, and one because dad and I needed something to eat for lunch. The weather was getting hotter and still is. It is around 30 degrees right now, not that bad, but tomorrow will be hotter. Mrs. Ewalds heel is still not doing good, she is moaning and groaning all the time, i´m going to start calling her Moana. So, my Spanish lessons have not really started yet, haven´t really talked to my Spanish friend. The Norwegian guy has a blister on his toe. And that is about it.
Most of you probably don´t know about the Love/Hate relationship towards a city. You love the city because it either means a rest or breakfast or a Alberquerque. But after walking on nice soft gravel you absolutely hate the pavement, it is like walking on coals. If you ever walk the Camino, you will understand.
There is this guy on the Camino who reminds my dad and I of My brother in-law Jason. Same shape, same legs, same face, same camera, same speed, and same hat. I have a picture of him, I will post it when I get the chance. Laura you will laugh at how similar he looks. Well anyways, I am going to let dad post for a few minutes, and then you can all read this. Thanks for reading
It is amazing how your mental state can change within a few hours. The first two hours today were miserable. my knee bothered me, even though I had put a brace on it. Then we had breakfast. A good cup of coffee and what they call A Spanish omelet, eggs with potatoes mixed in on a baguette and thig just got better fromm there. The pain was gone, the worldlooked bright and suddenly it was no longer a long hike, but a stroll in the park. Before we knew it we arrived in Najera. And there was no pain today. Admission to the hostel was by donation today. One room with 70 pilgrims, but who cares, we have earplugs. They are an absolute necessity. After we got our bed, numbers 42 and 44 Jakob and I wanted to have some ice cream, but the stores were closed so we had to settle for a beer and a coke. Too bad :).
It is a lazy day for Jakob and me, we don´t have to cook ord do shopping(s) it is the ladies´ turn, all we have to do is dishes.
As we aer on the trail for a longer time we get to know the routine better. There is no point in rushing to the showers, you´re better off waiting for an hour or so that way you can avaoid the crowds. So my shower is coming up soon.
Tomoorow should be a breeze, only 21 km. I am beginning to enjoy this daily walk in God´s creation. It is beautiful and mostly peaceful. and we take it one step at a time. Until tomorrow

Jakob and Klaas

It was a long hike today

Hi everyone. it was a long hike today. We woke up at 5:40 and were on the road by 6:15. Even had coffee in between. Why are we actually punishing ourselves like this? I don´t know, maybe it is becasue of all the good things that happen at the end of the trail. It is just such a good feeling to be able to put your back pack on your bunk, take out your sleeping bag and know that you can rest your weary bones. What is even better is the shower that is waiting. First hot than cold and colder until you can´t stand it anymore. The hike today started out great, we made good progress. But we knew it wold be a long one today. Thea had a hard time keeping up, she only wants to do 5 km tomorrow. Betty is cruising. She walked by herslf for quite a while, and in that time she solved all the world´s problems. Today is our turn tomake dinner. I think we´re due for a good old fashioned Dutch meal, you know, the meat and potatoes kind of food. But that comes later, stores don´t open until about five in the afternoon.
The weather is getting hotter. It is about 25 right now and mostly sunny. Too bad for you guys in Smithers:) For the rest it was a rather uneventful day. jakob has made some new friends again. He is now taking Spanish lessons, and teaches them English. We also saw pictures on Jason´s website. Peyton looks wonderful. Can´t wait to see her.
Well, that is about all for me today. Keep those comments coming.

Klaas

Day 8 Monday- Los Arcos-Logroño 620km left

Yes, there is a new format to my title.
Ok, I have to get something strait. I am not chasin any girls around, I just said they looked better, and Nadia is a 50 year old woman from Liechtenstein. Not really my type. For those who don´t know, the hike is a total of 802 kilometers long. I am so happy to see all the people commenting, thank you all so much.
Well today started off at 5:30 am. We all woke up then. I slowly got up, and packed my stuff. After a coffee, and a coke for me, we were off at 6:20. Today was the longest hike so far, 27.8 kilometers. We were not expecting to be done till around 2:30 or so. We had a beautiful sun rise again today. Oh I forgot to say. One of my goals for the trip was to get the sunrise/sunset in my hands. And on the 2nd morning of the hike, I got it. I will show pictures when home. It was a really cold morning, and we got to the first town and went to a bar for a coffee and a ColaCoa. I was pretty bummed out for not being able to stay in Pamplona for the running of the bulls, which happened today, but...... in the bar we stopped at they had TV coverage, so I got to watch it, pretty brutal sport. Also really funny to watch the idiots get squashed. After what seemed to be a very long time, we took a break and ate lunch. It consisted of really thick ham and some old cheese on a baguette. It was very good.
We got here around 1:30. We made good time, but the last 10 km were the hardest. not that hot today. When we got to the Alberqueque there was a huge line up of people, it did not open until 2:30. So we took a number and waited. I saw a guy from Norway who I had met the day before. I got to talking to him and he introduced me to his friend who is Spainish. His friend had english lessons for one year and then just this week they have been learning together. The Spanish guy and I have a deal, I teach him english and he teaches me Spainish, so it shall work out well I hope.
(I just see the people in Smithers are going to have more rain, hahahahahah)
Well, dad and I have to make supper tonight, last nights supper was, not quite done rice with mushroom soup and red wine and bread. We are going to make a good old dutch farmer meal, meat potatoes and veggies.
Well I am running out of time, I thank you all again for the comments, and I am going to go up town and chase some girls, hehe. Have a great day all.
These boots were made for walking!!
-Jakob

Day 7- Sunday

Well last night we had a thunder and lightning storm, or so mrs. ewald and betty say, I slept right through it. I sleep pretty good, my sleeping bag almost fell off my bed again, but thats ok.
We had to wake up at 5:30 because breakfast was at 6. It consisted of some dry crunch wrapped up bread things with jam, and cola coa for me, and coke. After Break fast we started to hike. Ever since about the third day I have become pretty good friends with this couple from poland, they live in toronto now. I talked to them for a bit while starting off the hike. After that, dad and I set a good pace and started hiking. It was pretty much flat today, only one climb. We were expecting a really hot day but to was a perfect day. Today we were all looking forward to getting a a fountain that gave both wine and water. We got there and guess what.... THE WINE WAS DRY!!!! Like talk about a rip off, betty was pretty depressed, took her a while to get back into the grove. After our second break, this group of Aussies met us on the trail. Dad went ahead and I talked to them for 40 minutes. Talk about alot of things, which I will spare you the details of. One of the group had to stop for a second so the others waited and I just kept on walking, I caught up to the other finally at our lunch break place. It was a little patch of grass with a few trees; we had been hiking in bare groud all day, farms and such. We looked in our book to see how far it was till our destination, Las Arcos, it was supposedly 5 km on the map, but it only turned out to be 3 or so. After searching around the town for a hostel, I call them Albequerques, we found one run by a belgian couple. Since we are a group of four we got treated to a private room with only 4 beds. Dad said "at least we won´t have to worry about snoring tonight" and I said "you should have heard youself last night" He didn´t say anything else after that.
I was immensely tired, so once we got settled in, I hit my pillow and was out like a light. I slept for 3 hours!!!! can you believe that, but I feel much better now.
Tonight we do not have to make supper, it is the ladies turn, we are going to have some kind of rice with veggies, it will not be near as good as our last night. At around 7 we are going to go to church again for a pilgims blessing. Supposed to be a beautiful church, the pictures we saw are just awesome.
Well that is all I can write today because I am almost out of time. We are really enjoying ourself, big hike ahead of us tomorrow 27.8 km. Thank you all for the comments and keep on spreading the news about this blog to others, thank you.
-Jakob

Klaas´s Adventures in Estella

So. where to start. There are so many things to tell and so little time. Let me just go back to yesterday a minute. We arrived safely at Puenta La Reina, a small but nic town. Jakob an dI soon wen to out ot explore. You know me, I just can´t stay away froma ll these old buildings, churches mostly. So we ended up on th eother side of town by the church of San Pedro. Two old ladies were basking in the sun on a bench outside. We just went in. We were lucky, mist of th etime the doors of churches here are locked. It was a nice looking church, very old, but what got my attention was the organ inside. The two old ladies ahd followed us and gave us another stamp in our book. In my now fluent Spanish (Hand signals mostly and the word organo) I asked if I could play the organ, and to my surprises they said it was okay!! So we all trudged upstairs and there it was, the oldest instrument I have ever seen. Jakob soon was pumping at the bellows, and I played. It was a highlight. Th eorgan was so old it did not even have real pedals, but in that church Genevan tunes (Psalm 25) sounded great. We asked the ladies how ol d the organ was and found out it was built in 1696!.
SO now we are in Estella. I t was a hard walk today for some reason. My tendons on my heels hurt, and my left knee is bothering me a bit. But there were plenty of good things too. Jakob is good company. He doesnt talk a mile a minute. Lots of times the only sound that can be heard is the ticking of my walking stick on hte ground.
Talking about walking stick. Yesterday I forgot it at a place where we had a break. Oh well, Right? Not so. Our friend Nadia who we keep running into picked up the stick and took it with her the last three km or so. She checked into the hostel and found out we were stying there. She just wanted to make sure I got my stick back. That´s kind of how it goes here. The kitchen is another place like that. People gladly share of the extra they do not need. By the way, Jakob and I are cooking tonight. We don´t know yetr what it is going to be but our goal is to outdo the other two.
Stores are closed until five. I am slowly beginning to get into the SPanish rhythm. After our shower today it was naptime. Everything shuts down for the afternoon, so there is no point in getting too excited.
Today Jakob ran into Lars from Denmark. I may have mentioned him before. They flapped for about 45 minutes before he moved on.
The pilgrim from Argentina gets the most cheerful pilgrim award. Every time he sees us he call out with a loud voice: ¨Hellooo, Canada, How are YOu!¨. He was sure Jakob had had too much to drink, when he saw him sitting on the sidewalk today.
We also met two guys from Australia. On of them had the same kind of shoes as me, so that.s what got us talking.
And that is how it goes. Meeting so many people froma all over the word, all on their way to one place. As we have completed stage number five it is starting to sink in how big of an undertaking this really is. I have learned one thing already. Ther is no point in looking at your watch or planning too far ahead. You just need to put one foot in front of the other and realize that every step is bringing you closer to the goal.
We do miss you in Canada, but we are enjoying ourselves immensely. Please pass on the site of this blog to as many people as you can, because reading your comments is one of the highlights of the day for me and even more for Jakob.
Someone is singing happy brithday to a friend right now, on the phone.
By the way, I got the worst bed in the hostel today: right by the bathroom. Oh, well that´s why we bring ear plugs.
Until next time, Buen Camino.
KLaas

Day 6

Wow.... that was a long day. But first I will start with last night.
Last night dad and I went to go walk around the town. We went into different churches and such. One church there was these two little old ladies sitting outside, and when we went in they came in to. Dad was in th mood to play an organ from one of these churches. He asked, with a series of various hand signs, if he could play the organ. The ladies said yes. So we went up stairs of this very large cathedral. We could not figure out how to start playing the organ, I looked in the back and you had to pump it. Dad started playing it, and he asked how old it was. It turned out to be made in 1696!!!!!! Dad had to play it one more time, he played psalm 25 while I was in the back pumping. Mrs. Ewald and betty made us supper which consister of pasta with some really nasty dense bread. It was good. At 9:45 we went to bed.
I did not sleep very well at all, had a bleeding nose and all. at 6:00 we woke up and left by 6:30. We hiked through many different towns. The temperature today probably got up to 34 degrees. Pretty hot, and it is going to get hotter. We got here at around 12:30 and got all the chores done by 1:30. I am now sitting here in shorts and a tee-shirt sweating my butt off.
To gloria, yes, mrs. Ewald does make us do the good thing bad thing. It is quite funny.
To dave and Threasa; it is kind of an organised hike, but you do it at your own speed. Yes we stay in hostels along the way, the price ranges from 5-8 euros a night per person.
So all in all, today was not a really fun day, but it was a good day. The weather is only going to get hotter from here on.
Hope you all enjoyed reading this, I will try to get either my dad or mrs. Ewald to post later tonight.
Buen Camino
-Jakob

day 5

Ok, this is getting me very depressed. You guy comment on my dad´s posts way more than mine!! whats with that???? Anyways, day 5..
Today we were not allowed out of the abergue till 6:30, so we got to sleep in. We all woke up at 6. At 6:30 we were out the door and on our way. We walked for 10 mintues and then noticed we were walking the wrong way, so we turned around and started walking the right way. Pamplona is a very big city you know. Anyways, we walked until we got to a town, which I forget the name of, and we looked for some where to eat. We did find some place and for 4:50€ we had 3 coffee and one colacoa (hot chocolate), and mini bagettes. After eating that we continued on our way. We had to hike 24 km today. The weather about 29 degrees, very nice and sunny. After about 2 hours of hiking I decided that it was time for us to take a break, and of course, I found the perfect spot, hehe, dad helped me. We got to sit on a bench in the nice shade of a tree. B-e-a-u-tiful. we all had an apple and a piece of toblerone, hmmmmmm. On we went. We had to climb allitle bit today, nice and steep, mrs. ewald was wanting to stop every 15 minutes to take a break, dad and I just kept on truckin´. We stopped at another little town at around 11:15 and had lunch. This consisted of, coke for me, Fanta pop for the others, bagette with gouda and some meat thing. Very good. So in the heat of the day we went on hiking to our destination. 2.4km to our destination we stopped at a little park and we met some one that we had met in the first stop we made, her name is nadia.
Ok this is really bad, I cannot remember any names of any towns today, and remember what our destination is where Nadia is from, ah well doesn´t matter.
Her name is Nadia, we talked to her for a bit, and watched some young guys play this game that we think is a national sport, kinda like squash. For the last 2.4km I just went as fast as I could and passed many people. I have to say I did not hike as fast as I have the last few days, my feet have been a little bit sore. we got here at around 1:30, took showers and now we are waiting for Mrs. Ewald to rest up before we go and look at the town for a bit and buy some ice cream.
I have to say we have been treated very well so far, the beds have been amazing the food, it is just awesome, I was not expecting it to be like this. I have having an absolute blast!! Only 29 days to go.....oh wow.
I just want to say congrats to Laura and Jason on the birth of their new baby girl, she is beautiful. Hope you are feeling good laura. Also it is nice to see that mom finally found out how to comment on here, good, don´t forget to look everyday mom, is roo ok? does she miss me? To mrs. alles, thank you for commenting and I am also looking forward to giving you the power point presentation, so far I have 170 pictures.
And to all the others who have commented, thank you very much, and this time I am expecting more comments on mine than my dads.
Have a great day everyone.
Bye bye
-Jakob

Klaas blogs in again

Hello all. Thanks for sending your comments. It has been quite a day again. This time we made record time, we were on th eroad at 6;20. All the rain fell overnight, so it was dry again and it promised to be a great day once more. Th first part of our hike was throug wet forests, water dripping on our heads constantly. What was even more challengin g was that nothing was open for our morning cupof coffee. We just kept on walking and walking, until we arrived in the suburbs of Pamplona, and behold there was a place where we could sit and have our cafe con leche, coffee with steamed milk.
Pamplopna turned out ot be a lovely city. After we got settled in our refugio (only 5 euors tonight) we took a shower and checked out the facilities. There was a fully stocked kitchen, so we´re cooking dinner tonight.
Jakob an dI decided to check out the city and buy some groceries. We saw a real life bull fighting ring. The famous running of the bulls is this weekend, and the whole town is gearing up for it. We were surprised how quiet it was on the streets, but more about that later. We found a store and bought port and beans, weiners, yogurt and wine of course, and a baguette.
Whe we got back we had our devotions. We were joined by Frederice, a handicapped young man form Italy who is doing the hike with his ever so patient dad. he can´t talk but he sure likes his sweets.
Anyway, after devotions we cooked our dinner. It was great! >While we were cooking we listened to one of the pilgrims singing and playing his guitar.
Afte dinner it was time for a snooze. i found a Dutch book in the library here, which I can take with me. A very interesting story. At about 7, Jakob, Betty and I went back up town. It had undergone a complete transformation, the streets were crowded wtih thousands of people, all having a good time, walking, talking and shopping. On the main plaza there was a traditional Navarra band playing traditional muisc. All around us people started dancing, especially the women. it was soooo cool. WE watched for a while from a patio on the side, enjoying a beer, before we started back for the refugio. We don´t want to be too late, after all, tomorrow is another 25 km. Things are going well though. No blisters, no rain, no extreme heat. Today was only 20 degrees, so great for hiking. Thea is usually tired at the end, so she needs her nap while we go around and do other things. All in all another wonderful day. Don´t forget to post your comments. Hearing from you is really great. Excsue the typos, there are oonly 20 minutes available. Shalom!
Klaas and Jakob.

Day 4

Wow, maybe I should let my dad write more often, I get more comments then. I thank you all for putting those comments on, it is real encouraging to know that you are all watching, well reading, what we are doing.
Today we started out BEFORE 6:30!!!! Whoes crazy idea was that!!! I think it might have been mine, I am not sure. Last night was great, we sat and listen to a Spainish guy play the guitar while another lady sang, I think dad was crying, well almost. The guy that was playing the guitar was also giving massages to people, for a price, but it looked fantastic. I didn´t have the guts to ask! But like I said, we started early, we were going to eat in Larassoña, but all the restaurants we closed, so we just kept on hiking. This seems like a similar trend on this hike, we either leave to early and none of the restaurants are open, or the Spainish people don´t get up till 10 in the morning. Anyways, we just keep on hiking. Today our destination was Pamplona, the place of the running of the bulls. While hiking todayI was kinda grumpy, wasn´t really awake yet. We were walking on a trail that had lots of bushes that were constantly hitting you and they were also wet. I had finally had enough, so I kicked it into high gear and just gave it for about 5 kilmeters. While I was just givin´it as fast as I could, there was this little bird that kept on following me, it would fly from branch to branch as I walked past it. One time the bird got to close to me with out noticing and it got scared and flew off, but it came back. He was getting braver so he tried to land right on a branch that was beside me, I stopped, he landed, I grabbed my camera, and took a picture. It is a beautiful picture, I will show people who want to see it when I get back, and I will post it when I get back. I finally decided to stop and take a breather, I was finally awake and not grumpy, so I just sat on this bridge, made in the 1500´s, and waited for the others. They caught up and we still didn´t have coffee. We did not get coffee or breakfast till we got to Pamplona, that is 20 kimometers later!!! talk about late, well only 12:30. In Pamplona we stopped at a coffee shop and ordered coffee and snacks, after that we continued on our way. We got lost!!, actually we took a wrong turn. I had to go to the bathroom and as soon as that happened a person ran up to the others and said to them in really fast spainish something like this ¨pilgim, santiago, wrong way¨and then a polica came and showed the others on a map that I had borrowed from a new friend of mine, where we had to go. Eventually we got into Old Pamplona, Beautiful place, and found our place to stay for the night. We got here and had showers and did the laundry. At 2 O´clock dad and I went up town. To Be Continued!!! (no time left)
Where was I... right going up town. It is a weird thing about spain, the town is dead from 12-5, but once 5 comes along, the whole town is alive and thriving with excitement. After strolling the town dad and I made some supper; some stewish stuff, and glorified weiners, wine for dad, coke for me, and yogurt, and a bagette. Another thing about spain, in every meal you will eat at least one bagette. After dinner we all read for a bit. At 6:50, Betty, dad and I went to go paint the town. We were amazed at how many people there where. The streets were packed with people. I was very cool. We made our way to the city square and we noticed there was going to be a band playing. So we went there and they started playing. We think it was some kind of folk music because the people were dancing and singing. It was very cool. After another coke and two more beers, we went back to the Refugio. One thing I will probably regret saying is, the girls in europe are alot better looking than the ones in Canada, except for my sisters of course. Well, to my sister Laura, I hope you have a safe delivery and if it is a boy, my name better be in there some where, and if it is a girl, then.. I don´t know, but what ever it is, I am sure it will be a a beautiful baby. To my uncle eilko, my dad and I will have the higher up seats for the soccer game, thank you, to bad you couldn´t come with us. ummm, to Jason, make sure you say high to the girls for me, and tell them that I miss them so much. To Danielle, tell mom and steph and james and garrett that we miss them tonnes and we can´t wait to see everyone again. To Gloria, thank you for reading this, I will try get Mrs. Ewald to make a post one of these days. To Rob and Truus, that glass of wine with be greatly appreciated. And to all, again thank you for all you comments, it is nice to know you are all reading. We only have 748.8 kilmeters left!!! Yippy, that is a crap load! I guess these boots were made for walking.
God Bless!!
-Jakob

Post from dad

Finally it is my turn to write. Everything Jakob said is true. I am just having a great time. Today we again saw many of the pilgrims thta we met earlier on on the trail. Weeven got a reputation already: The fast HIKERS;they see us in the morning and that´s it until we arrive. We wxplored the town a little bit today, Jakob treated me to ice cream and we visited a medieval bridge at the edge of town. After that we went fo a walk with Betty and Thea, who like usual were intereted in snacking again. We found a place to eat for the night. There is a standard three course dinner known as a pilgrim´s menu, so far it has been good. We have had trout, macaroni, bread and more bread and soup and bread. Today´s hike went fabulous, the knees did not even hurt. But it is always good to arrive at the end of the journey. I am still workingon my Spanish, but it is coming along, I can order food and drink and ask how much things cost. Today I also had to do the laundry, the socks smelled pretty raunchy, and I am out of underwear right now. The best part of the day is taking a shower, first warm them cold.
After our walkabout we did the foot rub. It´s a daily routine and feels wonderful. Jakob does mine, and I do his. Thea, always looking for ways to make a buck, is offering services to foreigners.
Tonight we are sleeping with about 50 othe pilgims, so it will be much quieter than yesterday, whne we had 120 in one room. We also went to a mass for the pilgrims last night. We did not understand a word of it, except for the word CANADA, when they listed all the countries present. At least wwe all got blessed by the priest.
Tomorrowit isoff to Pamplona, it is about 20 km, and no big climbs or descends. Should be a breeze.
The pilgrims are really friendlytowards each other. For example, right now one of them offered Jakob and me some warm broccoli soup, and that is how it goes. Hopefully that will continue as we hike on. At first it seemed like an impossible thing to do, but now that we are actually doing it, it is obvious that it is possible. We are thinking of all the people at home and we hope you all have a wonderful summer as well. Don´t forget to post your comments, we love that.

BUEN CAMINO,

KLAAS AND JAKOB