Alicante to Orito

 Day One

Many pilgrims choose to begin at the Basilica de Santa Maria in Alicante and obtain their first "sello" there. However we started out at 7.30 am during a Spanish heatwave and well before the Basilica was open. The Cafe opposite didn't have a stamp so we just moved onwards following the guide - which is good on this opening section, we passed through the famous "Mushroom Street" and having tried cafes, shops and a bank seeking a sello, all without sucess, the Camino provided! A  Valencian Government building was open, the IVAJ, an Albergue of the Instituto Valenciano  de la Juventad. The front desk staff were delighted to provide us with a stamp, even more so when I said it was "El Primero Sello". We were relieved as the stage beyond Alicante has no real opportunities for a stamp before Orito - our destination later in the day 25 km down the track.

We stopped for water just before passing the Cimentario de Nuestra Senora del Remedio. The poet Miguel Hernandez is buried here. If you have ever flown into the Alicante/Elche airport you will recognise the name. A few minutes later as we headed into the countryside we were greeted by gunfire. Maybe this is why so few walk this camino we wondered as the sound got louder. Perhaps theres an above average risk on this route... Rifle shots were followed by semi-automatic fire... eventually we spotted red flags in the distance. There was an unsigned military range away to the west in an old quarry. 

As we walked on over a hill we came to a railway bridge over a high speed rail line. A photo is beow, this was not in our guidebook and the instructions now made no sense. Fortunately as we discovered the Camino was very well signed after this all the way to the foothills of the Santuario San Pascual on the edge of Orito. 

Around a km from the railway bridge on the right hand side was a yard with some vehicles parked inside. it was well defended...

Eventually, several km later we came to a well signed road labelled "Camino de la Altura" at this point the guidebook was spot on once more. The scenery was amazing and the ascent to the Santuario / Cueva San Pascual worth the effort. The day was very warm touching 33 degrees celsius so a rest in the cool ermita with a gentle breeze through the open windows was so refreshing.

 Above is the view back towards the coast, below the view from the door to the santuario.

There was a cool stone bench at the back of the Santuario from which the image of San Pascual Bailon could be seen. We loved the sheep of various ages, quality and size at his feet. Jesus told John (John 21) after his declaration that he loved him, "to Feed my Lambs". Here is San Pascual, a much loved and respected pastor of his day, who listened to and advised all kinds of people in that apostolic role. A lovely reminder I thought of any priest and his flock, or indeed of the Buen Pastor who would lay down his life for his sheep, no matter who they were. 

Leaving the cool Santuario we followed the arrows down a steep rocky pathway to the winding road towards Orito. We were ready to stop as this was not quite the hottest part of the day. Fortunately we were blessed both by the Monastic church being open and next door to it the Bar Nuevo where refreshment and a Sello were obtained. The server was very pleased to stamp our credentials and provide the drinks we ordered!

Comparing this photo with the one taken outside of the Basilica de Santa Maria you can see how hot and sweaty this peregrino had become. How apt for us to be refreshed by water and beer named after the Patron of my last Parish - San Miguel / St Michael. 

Santa Maria, San Pascual, San Miguel ruega por nosotros!