Christendom had three primary pilgrimage sites in the middle ages; Jerusalem, Rome and Santiago de Compostela. Hiking the numerous trails to the latter has become a challenging and inspirational journey for the modern pilgrim. You can call me lazy, but this modern girl made the trek by auto through Asturias and Galicia Spain.
After exiting from the main highway, I was following the directions carefully. They clearly read to turn right at the pig. A Pig! Although I should not have been surprised, I most certainly was when a very handsome pig presented itself before my eyes. He was perched upon a pedestal at a fork in the road and he became my landmark for arriving and departing from Caldevilla. This is a small village in Asturias where you will find the home of Luis and Maria Louisa, who were the gracious hosts for my introduction to this part of northern Spain. Asturias is also known as the Costa Verde, or green coast, due to the abundance of mountain valleys and lush woodlands. The region is speckled with towns and villages well known for their distinctive red tiled roofs. Asturias has a rich history, but the locals are most proud of the fact that this was the only region to hold out against the invading Moors in 718.
