From Santiago… to Santiago

From Santiago… to Santiago

by | Jun 11, 2025 | interview, places

The final destination of the Camino de Santiago is, of course, Santiago de Compostela, the historic city in Galicia, where the remains of the apostle Saint James were supposedly discovered in the 9th century.

But did you know that Santiago de Compostela is far from the only Santiago in the world?

There are over 140 Santiagos worldwide, and in the podcast we visited the biggest… and possibly the best known together with Santiago de Compostela. We took a trip to Santiago de Chile with a special guide: Marco Fierro, creator of LatinELE, where you can learn Spanish with a Latin American twist.

Not too long ago I joined Marco on his podcast to talk about the Camino de Santiago. On this occasion, he joined me on the Spanish for the Camino podcast to talk about his town.

Marco was born and raised in Santiago de Chile. He studied there, made friends there, and still has a soft spot for the city. He told me that Santiago is home to about 8.5 million people—nearly 45% of Chile’s entire population! That makes it not just the capital but also a bustling urban center full of culture, activity, and diversity.

Why is this city called Santiago?

Before he set out from Peru to Chile, Pedro de Valdivia prayed to the apostle Saint James for protection and a successful expedition. The journey was dangerous and there were many casualties. But Pedro de Valdivia made it, so when he founded a new city in 1541, he named it after Saint James.

What to see in Santiago de Chile

Marco recommends starting with the Plaza de Armas, the city’s historic heart. There you’ll find the oldest post office in Chile, the city hall, and loads of restaurants and shops nearby.

Another must-see is Cerro San Cristóbal, a hill that offers panoramic views of the city and even a funicular ride to the top. And of course, don’t miss La Moneda, the presidential palace and a symbol of Chilean history and politics.

If you’re curious about Santiago’s version of the Camino, Marco also mentioned La Vía de los Andes, a 25-kilometer urban walk that starts from the city’s cathedral and ends in the district of Las Condes. It’s inspired by the Camino de Santiago and gives you a taste of pilgrimage, South American style.

(Get this episode’s transcript for free here)

Chilean foods you should try

You can’t talk about a city without talking about food! Marco recommends:

  • Pastel de choclo: A savory corn pie (don’t be fooled by the word “pastel”!) made with corn and meat (beef or chicken). Choclo is the Chilean word for corn, maíz in Spain.

  • Empanada de pino: A baked empanada filled with a mix of meat, onions, hard-boiled egg and olives. Heads-up—watch out for the olive pit!

One of the best places to try local food is Mercado Central, a lively market near the Plaza de Armas full of restaurants and traditional flavors.

Chilean words you should know

Chilean Spanish has a reputation for being hard to understand, even for native Spanish speakers! Why? Lots of local slang and unique expressions.

Marco gave us a couple of words you’ll hear a lot in Chile and I added a couple more that caught my attention when I visited Chile many years ago:

  • “Po” – Short for “pues,” it’s added for emphasis.
    ¿Te gusta el pastel de choclo? – Sí, po.

  • “Cachar” – To get or understand something.
    El español de Chile es un poco difícil, ¿cachai? = Chilean Spanish is a bit difficult, isn’t it?

  • “Cabro/cabra” – A guy/girl, often young.
    Me voy con los cabros = I’m heading out with my friends.

  • “Harto” – A lot.
    Se usa harto en Chile. = It’s used a lot in Chile.

  • “Al tiro” – Right away or immediately.
    Voy al tiro = I’m going right away.

Final tips for visiting Santiago

If you’re planning a trip, Marco had a few more practical tips:

  • Be aware of your belongings, like in any big city.

  • Use the Santiago Metro, one of the most modern and extensive metro systems in Latin America.

  • If visiting in summer, bring water—it gets hot!

  • If you’re there in winter (June to August), bring warm clothes and maybe hit the slopes in nearby Farellones, a ski area in the Andes.

Muchas gracias a Marco for joining me and giving us this wonderful virtual tour of Santiago de Chile!

If you want to learn more about his work, check his website: https://latinele.com/

or download his free mini ebook Spanish Adventure’s Companion:  https://latinele.com/adventurescompanion/

And if you want to actually see Santiago de Chile, you should watch this video from Marco’s YouTube channel.

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¿Cómo vas a hacer el Camino?

¿Cómo vas a hacer el Camino?

by | May 23, 2025 | Camino de Santiago

How will you do the Camino – updated May 2025

How will you do the Camino?

Once you decide you want to go on the Camino, you need to start making other decisions.

The first one:

¿Cómo vas a hacer el Camino? (How are you going to do the Camino?)

 

Before we go on, let me remind you what I said in the intro post about travel vocabulary guides: I don’t like them because they don’t tell how to pronounce the words. And I don’t want to be like them, so keep reading till the end of this post if you want to learn how to pronounce the Camino vocabulary you’ll find in this article.

 

Going back to the question “how will you do the Camino?”, most people do it a pie (on foot, walking). But that’s not the only way that is allowed if you want to get a Compostela when you reach Santiago.

According to the pilgrim’s office website, you can also do it en bici (cycling), a caballo (on horseback) or you could even sail part of it and walk from the port where you disembark. 

 

What is a Compostela and how to get it

Compostela certificate

A Compostela is a certificate issued by the Santiago cathedral saying that you have completed the pilgrimage to the tomb of St. James on one of the recognized routes.

At the end of 2024, the cathedral announced changes to the requirements to get a Compostela. 

You’ll find all the info on their website, but here’s a summary:

 

(Get this episode’s transcript for free here)

According to the pilgrim’s office website, in order to obtain a Compostela, you must walk “at least 100 continuous kilometers on the same route to Santiago recognized by the International Pilgrim’s Reception Office system. The final stage must include at least, the last one leading into Santiago’s Cathedral”.

“If a pilgrim has already started a route on foot outside Spain along one of the routes recognized by the International Pilgrim’s Reception Office system, the required distance in Spain shall be no less than 70 kilometers”.

There has been some speculation about the meaning of the “last stage”, and whether that last stage must have a specific distance, but it doesn’t seem to be so.

So, you could walk 100 continuous km anywhere along the Camino Francés, or Portugués, or any other route, and  then take a train or bus to the outskirts of Santiago (the airport on the Camino Francés or Milladoiro on the Portugués, for instance) and walk those last couple of kilometres into Santiago.

Same distance applies if you’re horse riding, but if you decide to do the Camino on a bike, then you must cycle at least 200 km in order to qualify for a Compostela. For sailors, the required distance is 100 nautical miles.

 

The credencial

You’ll need proof that you’ve done all of that.

That’s what the credencial is for. A credencial is like a Camino passport, that’s why many people refer to it as the pilgrim’s passport.You’ll need to get sellos (stamps) on it along the way.

You can get stamps from many places such as bars and cafés, accommodations, churches, town halls or post offices.

You’ll also need a credencial if you’re planning to stay in pilgrim-only hostels, to show that you’re on the way to Santiago.

 

Pilgrims passport and stamps

  

Have you decided already? ¿Cómo vas a hacer el Camino?

Write your answer, in Spanish, in the comments: Voy a hacer el Camino…

Basic Spanish Camino vocabulary

¿Cómo vas a hacer el Camino?

A pie

En bici

A caballo

Credencial

Sello

Compostela

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¡Buen Camino!

como vas a hacer el Camino
how to do the Camino
Things that don’t exist in Spain

Things that don’t exist in Spain

by | Apr 16, 2025 | Camino de Santiago, Culture and traditions, food

If you’ve never been to Spain and believe everything you read online (especially in Camino groups) you might end up filling your backpack to the brim. Why? Because apparently, according to some of those posts, Spain doesn’t have anything.

But is that really true? Can you not find ice, peanut butter, electrolytes or even flip flops in Spain?

It’s normal to have lots of questions before traveling to a new country, especially if it’s your first time.

I remember my own first trip to the UK when I was about 15 or 16. I went with a school group and stayed with host families. Some of the questions we got from them were… interesting.

Things like: “Do you have washing machines in Spain?”
And years later, when I moved to Ireland, I heard more of the same. A Spanish friend mentioned her dad was an engineer, and people were genuinely surprised: “Wait, there are engineers in Spain?”
This was from people who had actually been to Spain, and seen our roads, airports, infrastructure…

So, yes, some stereotypes are hard to shake.

And when I scroll through Camino forums, I see similar assumptions.
People ask if they need water purification tablets. Or vaccines. Fortunately, these are not the most frequently asked questions, but they come up every now and them. 
In case there are any doubts, let me clear that up right now: No, you don’t need water purification tablets to walk the Camino in Spain. You don’t need any vaccines to get into the country either.

So, over the last few months, I’ve been compiling a list of the questions I see most often in forums and groups. Some are understandable, others a bit surprising. But what truly baffles me are some of the answers.

Take decaf coffee, for example.

Someone asked if it was available in Spain.
A few people quickly replied there’s no decaf in Spain.

One person even said they had just walked the Camino and hadn’t found decaf anywhere. I was curious, so I asked what they had asked for. Their answer was “decaf”, in English.

Well, that explains it.

Of course they couldn’t find it. No one understood what they were asking for. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist!

 

Someone else asked if it was acceptable to take leftovers home from a restaurant.

The response?
“No, that’s not something people do in Spain. They won’t understand if you ask for a doggy bag.”

Well, if you say “doggy bag” in English in a Spanish restaurant, no, they probably won’t understand.

And if you try Google Translate and ask for “una bolsa para el perro”, they might hand you a bag of scraps for your pet—as they did with another poor pilgrim!

But does that mean you can’t take your leftovers home?
Not at all. It’s actually perfectly normal to do so in Spain. But you need to ask in proper Spanish.

(Get this episodes’s transcript for free here)

So, I compiled a list and ended up with 25+ items that people often worry they won’t be able to find in Spain.

Then, I went to supermarkets, pharmacies, sports stores… and even those catch-all chinos (discount stores run by Chinese families). All the typical places you’d go shopping in Spain. Just to confirm that everything on my list could be easily found.

And guess what?
I found everything. I had to search a bit harder for one of the items… but I found that one eventually, just not in the first shop I checked.

Here’s the thing: sometimes it’s not about what’s available, but how you ask for it and where you’re looking.

For example, in the UK or Ireland, you can often buy over the counter medicine like painkillers or cold remedies at a supermarket.

But in Spain? Nope. You won’t find those in the supermarket.

That doesn’t mean they’re not available. You just need to go to a pharmacy.

I’ve turned all this info into a super practical guide called: “Things That Don’t Exist in Spain”
(Spoiler: They do exist).

Inside, you’ll find:

  • A list of 25+ commonly asked items

  • Where to find them

  • What to say in Spanish so people understand you

  • Cultural tips, like how to find a pharmacy open 24/7—even on Sundays and holidays

  • Photos to prove it all!

Inside pages of the ebook Things that don't exist in Spain

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Travel and language learning with Lindsay

Travel and language learning with Lindsay

by | Feb 19, 2025 | Camino Spanish, interview

What if your travels could inspire you to learn a new language? That’s exactly how Lindsay approaches language learning.

In the latest episode of the Spanish for the Camino podcast, I had the pleasure of chatting with Lindsay Dow, creator of Lindsay Does Languages, about her experience with learning multiple languages and the role travel has played in it.

 

So, how many languages can Lindsay speak?

She doesn’t have an exact answer. It depends, she says! She doesn’t speak all of them at the same level. Some, like Spanish and French, she knows well; others require a bit of refreshing before she can comfortably use them, and some others she only knows the very basics. .But if she must say a figure, she’ll settle for around 15 languages.

Her takeaway: you don’t have to be perfect in a language to enjoy using it!

 

Many language learners feel pressure to reach a high level of fluency, but Lindsay reminded us that this isn’t necessary. She realized this early on, when she  started learning Spanish and French at the same time in school, that she didn’t need to reach perfection in every language—just knowing enough to communicate and connect with people was valuable.

 

We often hear that immersion is the best way to learn a language, but Lindsay challenges that idea. While being surrounded by a language can be helpful, she always tries to learn at least a little of the local language before she travels. For her, it’s easier to learn a bit of a language before arriving in a country rather than trying to pick it up while traveling. So, for example, before a trip to Turkey, Lindsay took some online classes in Turkish, which helped her navigate her visit.

But everyone learns differently, and there’s no single best method, so it could work for you.

Her recent trip to India made her realize how difficult it can be to keep up when a country has multiple languages spoken in different regions and it confirmed her preference for learning at least the basics before travel.

 

Languages aren’t just about words—they reflect culture too. We can’t separate language and culture. Lindsay shared an example from Korean, where even a simple greeting involves different levels of formality depending on who you’re speaking to. This cultural aspect of language learning makes the process even more fascinating and rewarding.

 

One of the funniest stories Lindsay shared was from a trip to Morocco. She and a friend found themselves switching between multiple languages—French, Arabic, Italian, Polish, and even Chinese—in one day as they navigated different situations. It was a great example of how being flexible with languages can help you connect with people wherever you go.

 

Lindsay’s top language learning tip

 

To wrap up our conversation, Lindsay shared her three key principles for language learning, which she calls the “Three Fs”:

 

  • Flexible – Find ways to integrate language learning into your daily routine without making it a huge disruption.
  • Functional – Focus on learning the language in a way that helps you use it in real-life situations.
  • Fun – Enjoy the process! Whether it’s music, movies, or something else that excites you, find a way to make learning enjoyable.

She also encouraged learners to “find their Shakira”—something they love that keeps them motivated to keep learning. For her, it was Shakira’s music that first connected her with Spanish.

 

If you want to hear the full conversation, check out the episode in the Spanish for the Camino podcast. 

(Get this episode’s transcript for free here)

Lindsay’s journey shows that learning a language isn’t about reaching perfection—it’s about making connections, having fun, and embracing the process. Whether you’re preparing for a trip on the Camino de Santiago or just curious about a new language, her advice is a great reminder to enjoy the adventure of language learning.

Where to find Lindsay

Lindsay’s website: https://lindsaydoeslanguages.com/
Language Life, Lindsay’s program to learn languages your way: https://lindsaydoeslanguages.com/ll

 

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Buen Camino

Cycling the Camino with Yolanda

Cycling the Camino with Yolanda

by | Feb 7, 2025 | Camino de Santiago, interview, places

Today, I’m sharing highlights from my recent chat on the podcast with Yolanda, a Spanish teacher from Valencia. Yolanda told me about her experience cycling the Camino de Santiago way back in 1993. 

Yolandas’s Camino

Yolanda completed the Camino Francés in 1993!

Back then, the Camino was far less crowded than it is today, though it still felt lively since it was a Holy Year (Año Jacobeo). She cycled the Camino Francés from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in France to Santiago de Compostela with a group of coworkers in just 17 days.

In 1993 there were not as many accommodation options as today, and it was a busy year on the Camino. The existing albergues were not enough, so Yolanda recalls camping along the way in special tents set up just for cyclists. These campsites were well-equipped with comfortable mattresses, proper showers, and even laundry facilities. 

Yolanda described her journey as “privileged.” They had fantastic weather for most of the trip, with no rain until they reached Galicia.

Even more surprising? They didn’t get a single flat tyre over 800 kilometres! That said, the journey wasn’t without its challenges. On one particularly tough day, they had to ride 90 kilometres to find a place to sleep, leaving Yolanda completely exhausted by the time they arrived.

Still, the experience of cycling through different landscapes, meeting pilgrims from around the world, and feeling connected to nature made it unforgettable. As Yolanda puts it, “It was magical – the skies, the air, the feeling of moving at your own pace.”

(Get this episode’s transcript for free here)

Valencia

Yolanda and I also talked about her hometown: Valencia, starting point of the Camino de Levante and a city she highly recommends visiting. She suggests renting a bike to explore the Jardín del Turia, a 12-kilometre park from which you can go into different parts of the city, like the old town or the stunning Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias.

And, of course, you can’t leave Valencia without trying its famous rice dishes. Yolanda explained that while paella is the most well-known, there are countless other varieties, including arroz al horno (baked rice), arroz a banda (seafood rice), and arroz del senyoret (rice with peeled seafood – perfect for the “rich gentleman” who doesn’t want to get his fingers dirty).

Final Thoughts

Yolanda’s story is a reminder of how unique every Camino experience can be—whether you’re walking, cycling, or simply dreaming of your journey. Her 1993 pilgrimage might seem worlds apart from today’s Camino, but the magic of connecting with others, enjoying the journey, and embracing life at a slower pace is timeless.

 

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Buen Camino