Passing thoughts

Tonight has been boring. We specifically chose to stay in the 24 euro albergue  with a kitchen instead of the 10 euro albergue without because making our own dinner is a lot cheaper than a 20 euro meal.

Each day is different but being human we  create routines. The routine is familiar now to the point of actions being taken without words being exchanged. We have established our roles and live by them.

The camino never lets you know what lies ahead. Each day starts with an uncertainty of weather, trail conditions, and what you will eat and where you will sleep. 

In Spain they say that "the camino will provide". They say that no matter what happens you will always find the solution to any problem readily at hand. This goes against my very nature of being prepared for any eventuality. 

I began this trip hoping that the uncertainty would give me something I needed. The ability to let go of the need to control every instant of time. 

In my prior life I had done many things that were naturally against my own well being. Especially while in the army and fighting for my country. Because of this I, like many others developed an unease about anything outside of my control. 

I need at this point in my life to be able to let go of the constant tension and let things happen. This is my number one need and as the Spanish say.....

The camino has provided. 

Day 16-Pueblo de Sanabria to Requejo de Sanabria

Only 11 kilometers today but we are in the last day of a heat wave here with 90s for high temperatures. 

Walk stared out through grassy plains, then went to forest trails, and ended with paved roads.

Saw white tail deer

And a cow or two or 2 hundred

This one was curious 

And finally made it to our albergue 

Almost forgot I got a shot of the castle from the last town at night

We need good sleep tonight because tomorrow we start climbing again.

Day 15- Asturianos to Puebla de Sanabria

15 kilometer day with villages every 3-4 kilometers to sit and rest. First half of walk was through beautifully shaded paths in the woods and last half was on paved roads.

Saw some neat churches and monuments on the way

Puebla is a beautiful town with a castle on the hill, some pics 

And some panoramas

Park on the river

From the castle

Day 14-Rionegro de Puente to Asturianos

This was supposed to be a short 9 kilometer day. We walked to Mombuey, Austin wanted to continue. So we walked 8 more kilometers to Cernedilla, alberque was closed. We went 2 more kilometers to Sam Salvador de Palazuelo, alberque was closed so went 6 more kilometers to this town. 25 between towns plus 6 more walking through them means we did a 31 kilometer day which is about 19 miles.

The good news is this is where we were supposed to stop tomorrow so we are a day ahead of schedule. Tomorrow is half as far to a town I am desperate to see, Puebla de Samabrea. 

No pictures today but I will put a time lapse of a kilometer on Facebook 

Day 13 Olleros de Tera to Rionegre del puente

Olleros de Tera to Rionegre del Puente

Short 14 kilometer day. The alberque is beautiful and there are lots of pilgrims here. Including a Canadian and two Americans. 

This town has no stores or shops so we have to leave early tomorrow to get into the next town with stores before they close at 1230 on Sunday. 

Not a lot here to take pictures of which is a bummer but what is here is clean and beautiful. 

Including a pilgrim sculpture 

The living area of the alberque 

The sleeping area of the alberque 

The local church 

The local city hall

And finally us having dinner with Americans, a Canadian, a French woman, a German, and Ann English man

Day 12 - Santa Marta de Tera to Olleros de Tera

Santa Marta de Tera to Olleros de Tera

Very short day, only 15 kilometers (about 9 miles). Don't know why but my knees and feet hurt a lot this morning so thank God the day was short.

The last three villages we have been through have all been very similar. Small homes and gardens everywhere. 

There is no municipal alberque in this town so we are staying in a private alberque behind a restaurant. The lady is very, very nice and since we got here before noon we have lots of time to just relax and heal before dinner at 8.

This is what most of the trail was like

They're were tens of thousands of these trees planted in neat rows

If you look close enough you can see the backhoe and a big ass tree they apparently are going to excavate around

We are following a small river

This guy took my home is my castle a bit too far

This is the cafe that has some beds in the back for pilgrims 

More pics

The next week

We will be doing walks as short as 10 kilometers over the next 7 days. This is the advantage to jumping ahead to Zamora.

Austin seems to be doing a lot better with the slower pace and we are having some great talks on everything from college next year to forms and evolutions of government. 

As we are getting closer to Santiago we are getting recognized by more people as pilgrims and the spaniard sate being very kind pointing us in the right direction.

11th century church

Right next to our alberque is an 11th century church with roman architecture. Check out these pics

The circular window in the picture above is specifically designed to cast a beam of light on the statue of Saint Marta on two days a year, the spring and fall equinoxes 

Most churches have one relic, this one has 14

If you look carefully at the model you will see a pilgrim in the lower left and s stork in a nest on the chimney 

The pilgrim in the middle picture is John Paul II and the pilgrim in the right picture is pope Benedict.

Apparently we are in good company