This morning we got up early and we were out of the alburgue at about 7:30 AM. We walked about six blocks to the train station and took the train to Mar, about 25 kilometers west of Santander. I know what you are thinking. Taking a train instead of walking is no way for a true pilgrim to start the Camino. The Way for the first 25 kilometers west of Santander is nothing but suburbs, factories and chemical plants. I don’t feel like I have anything to prove on this Camino so I am OK skipping the ugly parts and taking trains, buses, ferries or taxis to avoid walking through these ugly parts.
When we got off the train at Mar we walked out of the station and were immediately accosted by an old man who adamantly insisted that we were going the wrong way. We were following the yellow arrows and Marco’s GPS so we were sure we were on the Camino and heading in the right direction. I think this old man was just trying to screw with us because he saw us get off the train instead of walking into town. He must be some kind of Camino purist.
We found a little cafe in Mar and had breakfast. I had a ham and cheese sandwich and an Aquarius, which is like Gatorade. I want to break my Radler habit or at least wait until noon before I start imbibing. After breakfast we walked 13 kilometers and at about noon we got to Santillana Del Mar.
Santillana is reported to be one of the prettiest town in Spain. I don’t think so. It is packed with tourists and the streets are lined with t-shirt shops and fudge shops. We stopped at a cafe for an Aquarius and a pintxo and then walked over to the alburgue.
After we got to our room I took a shower and hand washed my clothes and put them on the clothes line. While I am waiting for my clothes to dry I sat in the shade at a long picnic table having a beer with a group of Italians and Germans.
In 2019 I was walking the Camino Del Norte and was having a rest day in Santander when I got a call from my sister Marina who told me Anna would pass away soon. The next morning I was on my way back to my hometown, Springfield, Illinois. By the time I got home Anna had already passed away. Anna loved to travel but wasn’t able to do as much traveling as she would have liked. I have two containers of her ashes with me on this trip. I am going to spread the contents of the first container on a beautiful beach here in Spain, because she loved going to the beach. I put flower seeds in the second container with her ashes and I plan to spread the contents of this container when I walk in Italy in September and October. Anna loved flowers and who doesn’t love Italy. Rest In Peace Anna.
Today I walked 19,000 steps and travelled 15 kilometers. Tomorrow will be a longer day with more steps and more kilometers.
Good night from Santillana Del Mar.
AbeAndMarkontheCamino 
This is very cool Mark, thanks for sharing!!
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