Author: HeatherGailey

I will start off by saying that it is a good thing that I am not a fussy eater.

Taking time to learn the language and research the customs and foods of a country before you visit, is a good plan, yet, they were things I did not do. Silly me!

I could say “give your head a shake, Heather!”, but what’s done is done. that was 2015, and this is now.

Most of my experience with food on the Camino was good. The food was always hearty, healthy, and made with LOVE. A word of warning though…don’t go travelling the Camino if you are in to fancy food, because unless you are staying in the most expensive hotels along “The Way”, you will not be happy.

On the Camino food is FUEL. The food you eat is meant to provide fuel for a tired body and comfort for a battered spirit. It is time to break bread with pilgrims from all over the world. Some meals I ate like a person who had never seen food before, and I made sure to eat every spoon full with gratitude. I attempted to take pictures of all that I ate to showcase the fact that it was so different from what I would eat at home. I tried everything…well…almost everything (I never had the chance to try the octopus which I hear is very good). The most important thing for me was that I learned very quickly what my body needed to survive the daily treks and be comfortable while walking. This is the information I will share with you.

I will start with my food experiences in France LOL

France Yikes! Better drown my sorrows with a chocolate croissant…First time having a “French” croissant in France.

Then it was on to Barcelona and my free stay in that Shi Shi poo poo (posh) hotel. The buffet was delicious for dinner and breakfast! When things are free…don’t they ALWAYS taste better?

But…those weren’t onion rings and they weren’t calamari…so I am not sure what I actually ate. If you know, send me a message. Welcome to Spain LOL.

I arrived in Leon and had to have a crash course in what siesta meant. Trip advisor states that:

“Siesta” happens between 1:30 and 4:00, which is actually when most people slow down for lunch. A lot of stores close at this time. Such a period of sleep is a common tradition in some countries, particularly those where the weather is warm.”

I wondered why all the restaurants were closed tighter than a drum! When in Spain! Do as the Spanish do! I had a nap and waited until 6pm and then ventured out again. This meal was so good, I might have to risk being a bit edgy and say the chicken tasted better than…sex. We all have had food like that at one time or another…right? It may have been my best meal of the whole Camino even though it does not look like much at face value. You will have to rust me that it tasted fabulous.

I am not sure what the equivalent here in Canada is to a Cafe con leche in Spain. If you know please let me know because I have not found anything that comes close. I am going to have to go back to Spain just for the coffee…wink. At the end of my trip I rated my cafe con leche and determined that I drank the best coffee just outside of Leon in a little roadside cafe. Of course the Chocolate filled bun was not too shabby either.

Astorga was one of my favourite places to visit on my journey, however, I can’t undo what I ate there. Note to self…learn the language so you know if you are ordering something with big, fat, slimy, slithery, anchovies on it!!

One of my favourite meals ended up being Tortilla Pie which is a mixture of egg, onion, potato and a sausage meat of some sort. I pretty much had it every day mid morning for lunch (you get up so early that 10 am is lunch time). I am such a creature of repetition. I will have to look in my journal because this little place was run by this fabulous woman who may have been german – not sure. She made her own voodoo homemade juice and this food was to die for. It truly was food infused with love and intention. It made my tummy happy, that’s for sure.

I am going to stop this post here. Oh no! you say? Why? There are many more days and many interesting eats to share with you and I think it would be best to make a “you gotta eat here” – post #2.

You will just have to stick around or pop back to see what other culinary delights I ingested and where.

Ok see you soon!