Finding one's way on the Camino

There are several good guidebooks for walking the Camino - Lonely Planet's "Walking in Spain," for example, and there is a wonderful map of each stage of the walk that has been published by John Brierley, "Camino Pilgrim Guides." Our friends Alberto and Carmen, whom we met on the Camino last year, had his great map, and we were able to find one in Sarria. It shows the elevation gains and location of refugios and hotels, bars. It's nice to know how far you have to walk to find a place to sleep or get a cup of coffee and a meal.

The other way you know you are going in the right direction is to look for markers with either a yellow arrow or a scallop shell - the shell is a symbol of St. James.

Pictured is an arrow made of yellow scallop shells that has been embedded in the wall of a house.

I just got permission from Rick Steves' office to use a copy of the map of the Camino from his book on Spain. I like the drawing. So I will be scanning that tomorrow and uploading it!

Hasta manana! (imagine a tilda - can't make it take!)