travels from June and July Part 1- Spain!

The Africa Mercy was in shipyard during most of June and July, making it the most convenient time to take vacation since the hospital is not open. As I write this I am floating to Congo, and very ready to get back to being a nurse, but here is a look at the adventures of the past weeks.

The first stop on this summer's adventures was a trek through western Spain with 6 fellow mercy shippers! The AFM was docked in the Canary Islands, so before heading back to the states I stopped in mainland Spain and we hiked from Santiago out to Fisterra on the coast. The route we followed is an ancient path called the Camino (we did the very last section of the trail, the trail begins on southern France and takes around two months to complete)

We hiked a total of 100 kilometers, and had lots of adventures on the way:

(Hikers on day one of the trek, ready to go)

The countryside in western Spain is beautiful!

The camino shell trail markers we followed the whole way (be sure to pay attention to the direction it is pointing)

Interesting facts about this trip:

-We only lost one person- just for the day though :)

-We only lost one passport- but it was recovered later. Don't keep it in your pillowcase in the hostel.

-One parastic worm travelled via big toe (not my toe) all the way from guinea...and decided to exit about half way through the trip. I think it was tired of all the walking. :)


-You don't have to speak Spanish to successfully hitchhike

-traveling with friends is always a good idea!

This sign either means A- don't drive here, there are stairs..... or B- feel free to drive down the stairs but it will be bumpy

The "lighthouse at the end of the world" in Fisterra!