Today on Facebook my Camino friend, Françoise, posted the following photo from last year’s Camino of Olalla and I approaching Ciraqui. Ironically, tonight I happen to be staying in Cirauqui! How’s that for a coincidence?
Author (purple backpack) walking into Cirauqui with Camino friend, Olalla.
I’ve never seen the photo before but love it. This morning I was thinking about how different this year’s Camino is and this photo demonstrates several differences. Last year it was significantly cooler; in fact, where we are currently experiencing a heat wave, last year there was a record cold spell on the Meseta. Another difference was that I walked the traditional stages last year so experienced seeing many more pilgrims during the day than I am this year as I am currently walking intermediary stages. Finally, while last year I walked the first 8 stages with other people, this year I have walked them a alone with the exception of a few minutes here and there.
Many thanks, Francoise, for posting the photo!
Below is a picture I took just outside Ciraqui this morning. 
Beautiful. One gets a sense of calm in this photo and post that was not there earlier.
What is interesting about your comment, Jeremy, is that photo was taken during my 2014 Camino, which definitely had a sense of calm that was generally absent in this year’s Camino. Your comments are providing me with much food for thought and helping me process my journey.
I hiked the Camino last summer. I remember approaching the town of Ciraqui. I am currently writing a book about that hike. In the book I speak about that town as a city on a hill with no urban sprawl. I’m enjoying your blog. I’m really curious how it will differ doing it the second time. I’ve repeated many of my hikes and realize you can never recapture the mystery of the first time. I’m sure you are recalling the good memories from your first Camino. Your photos and blog are bringing back such good memories of the folks I met along the Camino.
Yes, it’s a sweet town and I love the lack of urban sprawl. I am glad you are enjoying my blog and I am sure I will have much to say about the differences between the first and second times. Thanks for following.