Monday, April 10, 2023
Walking from Seville to Guillena
22 kilometers, 33,700 steps

Today is our first day walking the Via de la Plata route of the family of Camino de Santiago pilgrimage routes. Southern Spain is having slightly warmer than normal temperatures, with the high in Seville expected to be 33-34 C or about 90-92 F. We decided to get a fairly early start, and met at the cathedral at about 8:30 AM. Here is my last picture of the Seville cathedral:

Here is a picture from Samsung Health app on my phone showing the route we walked today. I am still experimenting with the map, and also trying Google Fit. Unfortunately, I’m not getting very clear maps from Goodle Fit. More to come as I experiment.

From the cathedral, we crossed the river, and after negotiating fairly heavy Monday commuter traffic, we got out to the Via de la Plata path. We were confident that we were on the path when we saw the first yellow arrow, a very unofficial-looking hastily-painted arrow on a post:

One of the most international symbols of the Camino de Santiago is the yellow arrow, painted on roads, houses, fences and trees. It is of recent origin as it was conceived in 1984 on the initiative of a priest of O’ Cebreiro, Elías Valiña. It is said that he was able to get yellow paint from the highway department, and then signposted the French Way from France to Santiago de Compostela. Besides the yellow arrow, another identifying sign of the Camino de Santiago is the scallop shell, which is now historical and we can see it sculpted on many churches and monuments. The scallop shell has many myths associated with its connection to the Camino, and one idea is that the lines represent the various routes, all converging at Santiago de Compostela.

Much of the first two or more hours were in semi-industrial area on the outskirts of Seville. Very uninspiring views and much noise from very busy motorways near the pathway on which we were walking. Soon we came to a roundabout with a very official sign.

We continued walking, and soon found another official waymarker:

And soon we saw a very official-looking way marker.

So we knew we were still on the right path. Today was hot, and being our first day, we are not in what could be thought of as “Camino shape.” Being out of shape, carrying a backpack, walking continually, and in the relative heat was very taxing, tiring, exhausting. We did stop a couple of times to take off our backpacks, change socks (dry socks help avoid blisters), and drink water or a hydration drink.

Wheat fields

We are in the wheat fields. Long walking and hot, but the wheat makes for a nice view.

Soon, as I am getting very tired, we come upon another Camino waymarker, essentially urging us to continue. Far in the distance, we can see Guillena.

And we come to a sign telling us that we are now in Guillena:

Tom and I found the alburgue (very similar to what we call a hostal in the U.S. with rooms with many bunk beds and shared showers & bathrooms), checked in, and headed out to have lunch.

After lunch the typical routine starts:

• Get a shower, put on clean clothes.
• Wash clothes used for today’s walk.
• Nap while clothes are drying.
• Repack everything for tomorrow.
• Find and eat dinner.
• Sleep

Then repeat it all the next day.

I’m tired. It is time to rest for tomorrow.

Next: Walk from Guillena 18 kilometers to Castilblanco de los Arroyos.