It's impossible to live in Burgos for any length of time without knowing about the Camino de Santiago. Sometimes translated as the Way of St. James it is more often referred to by its shortened Spanish name, el Camino. At this time of the year hundreds of pilgrims pass through the city of Burgos with their rucksacks and walking sticks.

The legend goes that the bones of the apostle James were brought to Santiago de Compostela and buried there. Santiago de Compostela, located in the north-western province of Galicia, is the final destination for many pilgrims as all the routes funnel to an end here. Where you start the pilgramage is up to you. Many people take the Camino frances which starts in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in France, although you can start anywhere you like on the route. While many people do the Camino for religious reasons there are increasing number of secular people who do it to meet new people, for the love of backpacking or to disconnect from the world. I had a Spanish student who does it every year in order to practise his English, which is the unofficial language for foreigners. If you plan on doing the Camino a good pair of walking boots are a must. The same student, began his first Camino in a pair of trainers and after a couple of days had to retire because of severe blisters.

The pilgrims typically stay at cheap hostels provided exclusively for them. Only just yesterday, I got stopped by a South Korean woman looking for the pilgrims refuge in Burgos. She had heard about the Camino through another South Korean friend who did the route last year and decided to do it herself. She told me that she set out two months ago from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port and is continuing on to Santiago de Compostela, a journey of 780km. When you arrive in Santiago de Compestela you receive your Compostela, which is a certificate that you completed at least 100km of the route. During the Middle Ages the Compostela counted as an indulgence and meant half-off the time spent in purgatory or a complete indulgence if you completed the route during a Holy Year. Finally, if you see a Pilgrim pass you by be sure to wish them a "buen Camino!"

Tags: Camino, backpacking, Spain, france

I enjoyed my few days away in the south of France with my brother Fintan, his wife Michelle, my niece Emma and nephew Adam. One of the days I decided to visit Perpignon city. I had forgotten how difficult the easiest of tasks can be when you don't speak the local lingo. I tried ordering myself a steak and lemon flavoured coke at one restaurant and ended up with a burger and a coke with quarter of a lemon it in. While rambling around the city I managed to get lost and ended up in the Arabian quarter of the town –– a quite rundown neighbourhood but at the same time full of character with lively streets. While I was still trying to find my bearings a young lad asked me something in French, which of course I didn't understand whatsoever. Of course, he could clearly see that I was a tourist and asked me if I was Spanish. Since a no answer invariably requires a followup explanation of "why not?" I decided to lie and say oui hoping that would be the end of the conversation. No sooner had I affirmed that I was Spanish than he started to speak to me in perfect Spanish. That was all fine and good, that is, until he yelled at his family to come outside to observe the spectacle. With his mother, sister and brother now outside he proceeded to translate from Spanish to French for their benefit. As bizarre a situation as it was, I actually enjoyed able to communicate with someone, anyone . . . even if it was some French (or Spanish? or Arabian?) kid. Oh, the joys of travelling! Check out the photos in the France link.

Tags: france, holidays, French