Today, I walked a rather comfortable 24.1km from the historical, university town of Alcala de Henares to the ancient city of Guadalajara. As I strolled along the serene pathways, the change in scenery was subtle yet noticeable – from Alcala’s bustling university environment to Guadalajara’s historic charm.

My fascinating observation of the day was the exquisite, old-world architecture in Guadalajara. There’s a saying here that goes, “‘Lo viejo no pasa de moda, simplemente se convierte en clásico’” which translates to “The old does not go out of fashion, it simply becomes classic.” These words perfectly encapsulate the timeless beauty of Guadalajara.

My journey has taken me through several beautiful cities – Madrid, Alcobendas, and Alcala de Henares, and now, Guadalajara. I can’t believe it’s already been 24 days on the road! I have travelled a total distance of 636.2 kilometers, every step full of discovery and wonder.

A local verse that has been stuck in my head is, “Caminante, no hay camino, se hace camino al andar“. It’s a line from a poem by Antonio Machado, a famous Spanish poet. It means, “Traveler, there is no path, the path is made by walking.” It’s a fitting metaphor for my journey so far, as I continue to create my own path.

As a garden gnome, I did not cross any border on this particular journey, but it’s worth noting that Spain is a country with many regional languages and dialects. While Castilian Spanish is commonly spoken, don’t be surprised if you hear other languages like Catalan, Galician, and Basque.

So, join me as I continue to explore, discover, and share my journey with you all. Until next time, ¡Hasta luego! That’s “See you later!” in Spanish. Just a gnome, making the world his home.

Firstly, the city is home to the Palacio del Infantado, a grand 15th-century palace with a unique mix of Gothic and Renaissance architecture. Inside, you’ll find a collection of art and artifacts that narrate the city’s history. As the Spaniards say, “El que no conoce su historia está condenado a repetirla” – He who does not know his history is doomed to repeat it.

Secondly, Guadalajara pays homage to one of Spain’s greatest poets, Antonio Machado. He once mused, “Caminante, no hay camino, se hace camino al andar” – Traveler, there is no path, the path is made by walking. This quote aptly describes my own journey. You can visit the house where he spent his childhood, now a museum dedicated to his life and works.

So, if you are a lover of history and literature, put Guadalajara on your map. Or as I say, “El mundo es un libro y aquellos que no viajan solo leen una página” – The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.