Hard to believe, I have been on Camino now for 28 days. It feels like I started eons ago and it feels like yesterday. Funny, you'll really lose track of your sense of time on Camino and aside from your immediate location you kinda lost track of where you are. Have to stop sometimes and check my progress to see where I really am side from someplace on Camino.
So, today was essentially all uphill all day... Guess who's afterburners were blazing!? Ooh yeah! I was making for the summit sand it was only when I realized the albergue situation post summit that I paused for the night at the last albergue in the last town before Cruz de Ferro.
What an interesting village this is... Check that, what an interesting Peregrino local this is. Prior to 2000, it was an abandoned village, largely in rubble. Since then it has been reborn and rebuilt into a large collection of albergues, bars, shops, and one really awesome restaurant.
This restaurant is really done up with a medevil flair and matching foods. Venison stew, quail, etc. peppered the menu in a delightfully warm atmosphere (and temp warm, it was Cool out today!).
I won't spend much time explaining the town, I'll let they pictures speak for themselves.
Tomorrow morning, sunrise, Cruz de Ferro! Until then, here are some random thoughts:
Are power lines supposed to crackle!? I have walked under many power lines, and some have been crackling!... Uncomfortable!
Today is my last day I can really look back across the Meseta in the distance, tomorrow I descend and loose it from view, oddly symbolic given tomorrow's ordinary goal.
The Camino could not exist in the States, WAY to many regulations! You could never walk thru an active interstate interchange construction in the States, but here the Camino goes right thru it.😐
I did not realize that one could talk so much and at such length about feet and their condition... Ooh, and boots come off at pretty much every rest break, luckily there are no "no shoes, no shirt, no service" signs here... Peregrinos would be screwed if there were!!! No really, foot care is like a constant... Stopping for a drink? Destroy the baño, wash hands (pray for soap), order beverage, boots off, socks often also, drink beverage while closely examining feet and applying remedies. Finish beverage, socks and boots back on, drop off cup, visit bano, wash hands again, & hit the trail!
You can't possibly miss American music! Seriously, Spanish radio stations, play at least 50% or more American music!
On that same thought, out is amazing how much English is spoken, even if just "poko" (little bit). Poko English, poko Spanish, lots of animated gestures and sound effects, and you can accomplish tons in this country! Want to say the break was yummy? Rub hands on belly, smile a big smile, and go "Mmmmmm!".
If you TRY to learn the Spanish words, they are now then willing to help you, and often will write it down for you. That, and they treat you better, but you have to sincerely try!
With that, I'm calling it a night.
PHOTO DUMP :
https://goo.gl/photos/4NXTaJqSp379zuvp9
Buen Camino!
Kevin
Kevin, how much fun are you having. Not sure what the words are in Spanish, but in French it is, joie de vivre - the joy of living and you are doing that at 100% - that is what the Camino is all about - slowing down and enjoying, appreciating, all and everyone around you. You are a true pilgrim. We stopped for 2nd breakfast in Foncebadon. The crackling power lines - make sure you drag your aluminum walking poles on the ground when you walk under them - just kidding. The sound comes from moisture on the wires themselves and in the air around them. Seriously and truthfully,the strength of the electric field around a narrow cylindrical conductor is highest right at the surface of the conductor, and with high-tension transmission lines, it can reach the point where it ionizes the air itself. This is known as corona discharge. It happens all the time, but when the air and wires are dry, it doesn't produce any sound. So, you are perfectly safe and you have an idea of the humidity level. ;-) Buen Camino - Ultreya - on to Cruz de Ferro, R & K
ReplyDeleteWow, you have been through a lot of great experiences on this Camino. So very proud of you. And when you get back home, we will need to go get you some new clothes. You don't even look like my "Kevin" anymore. And I still say that the scruff has to go :). In all the years we have been together, you have NEVER had a beard. I will even shave it off for you if you want. I hope that you have good weather for your walk. The pictures are lovely. Is that you with Nancy in some of them? I almost didn't recognize you, if it is you. I love you all to bits, honey. I hope we can skype tomorrow if you are able.
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