Not everything should be seen as a bad omen, even if the check-in in Zurich is anything but optimal. Let's start our adventure with the flight to Spain.
It's quite a shame to leave the still green meadows and forests - even if the coming fall is slowly making itself felt - and set off on a hike that essentially leads through scorched wasteland.
A good hour later, the green meadows have disappeared and have made way for a gray-brown, forbidding desert - there's no other way to put it. Well, it doesn't look particularly encouraging.
But then we land, I collect the luggage, take the bus to town and walk to the hotel. But where do I find the entrance? It takes a while to find the "Nuevo Suizo" hotel, which gives an indication of my outstanding orientation skills.
But I've arrived, I'm sitting in the heart of Seville, life is booming and I'm happy.
The Via de la Plata
Sometimes you know for years that one day you are going to do something particular. And that's exactly the case with the Via de la Plata, the longest and most arduous of all the Way of St. James in Spain. I had already checked the route years ago, the endless sun-baked paths towards the horizon, and each time my legs itched to set off immediately.
But the realization of dreams sometimes takes a little longer than expected. The two long-distance hiking trails in the past two years – the Alpine Panorama Trail: and the The Trans Swiss Trail – have contributed to the conviction that I might manage the 1000 kilometers.
Et voilà – the time has come.
But whether I will make it, despite the two times 1000 km of preparation, is up in the air and admittedly makes me a little nervous.
A thousand kilometers is a lot of meters and a lot of steps, probably between 1000 and 1 million. The number is so incredibly high that it's better not to think about it.
Anyway, everything is ready, the hiking guide has been purchased and thoroughly read, there's really nothing to stop me. We'll see ...
Sevilla
But for now I'm in Seville, the heat is high, but not as high as I originally expected. The decision to wait until the beginning of September seems to have been the right one.
I love the Spanish cities. I love the people, their culture, their music, their language. Many years ago, at the Universidad Complutense in Madrid, I spent some of the best months of my life. That leaves its mark.
And now I'm back in Seville, not a single memento remains from my first visit over 40 years ago, so I'm discovering a new city.
And the newly discovered city is vibrant. It is this special feeling in southern cities which immediately sets in. This feeling of vitality, of blissful freedom. Perhaps quite simply of something that we have lost, or perhaps never had.
Slowly strolling through the streets and alleyways at night, surrounded by cheerful people enjoying the warm late summer evening. I might stop every few meters to admire the wonderful stores with sugary works of art on display in their windows.
But then I have to pay tribute to the long day and retreat to my room.
Discovery tour
Breakfast in a nearby café. The waiter nods approvingly when I ask him for Churros. You might say that a visit to Spain really starts with breakfast. With café con leche y Churros.
What I particularly enjoy about city tours is strolling through the city without a plan. No need to look at Google Maps, just follow the inner compass guiding me here and there. This will be easy, as the city offers a wide range of attractions.
And then I stand in front of a tower, take a deep breath and climb to the top floor or ...
... I admire the skyline with the famous cathedral...
... being surprised by all sorts of unexpected things...
... and finally - like all tourists - I end up at Plaza Espana and I am surprised by the beauty of the square and of course by the magic of Flamenco...
And here The Camino de Santiago begins… with the first stages from Seville to Almadén de la Plata