We left at about 7 this morning to the ringing of the church bells and also the roosters calling. The Way seemed a bit more crowded today...always someone around. We stopped at a really nice little bakery for Andy's coffee along the Main Street through old town...had some REALLY nice looking baked goods but we had already eaten our grocery store muffins. Hope we see another one when we really need it.
It was a nice walk today through several neat towns - old and new. Seems that most of the towns are on great high places so it is uphill to each one, some steeper than others. We saw mostly vineyards and olive tree groves with a few fields of sunflowers today. Each day the terrain changes a bit.
We did walk on a long stretch of an old Roman road today...one of the best on the Camino...pretty cool. We have crossed many medieval bridges that are quite pretty. Otherwise we were on crushed rock, muddy dirt paths, and some quite rocky trails today, but no roads.
We talked more about some of the nomad characters in the Old Testament - pilgrims of sorts. Moses, Jacob, Abraham...each one hearing God's call on their life. Each one being cared for by their Father.
We continue to be amazed at how God is helping us to BE FLEXIBLE. Not so easy for a couple of old people used to their routines - but amazing how we are adapting. Think: taking showers in the afternoon after a 15 mile walk and then getting into your clothes all ready for the next morning...taking that shower in a private stall with an Italian man singing in the stall next to you...finding a grocery store to buy fruit, cheese and Brocken, and muffins for breakfast and lunch on the trail every day...finding an Albergue to stay in along with a couple hundred people each day...sleeping in a top bunk with a Spanish man right under you'll the bottom bunk...reading menus in Spanish when you forget your little translator book...getting water at public faucets in the city square or the city park 3-4 times a day...waiting until 7:00 every night for the restaurants to start serving food... list goes on and on. But, we are catching on and trying to maintain our sense of humor and adventure!
We have been grateful that all of the places so far have supplied pillows and private showers (notlarge open showers)...we had not expected these ammenities so often. Not many provide breakfast - unless you want to purchase it from a vending machine.
80% chance of rain today. We had about 45 to 50 minutes of sprinkles with 3-4 short downpours this morning around 11:00. We stopped at a church for a few minutes hoping it would let up...but continued on in the sprinkles. Thankfully it didn't last long and we arrived at the Hospital de Peregrinos Albergue around 1:00 and got 2 top bunks in room 3 on the 3rd floor with 16 other pilgrims for 6 Euro each. So far we have paid from 5 to 12 Euro a night for a room and 9 to 12 Euro for dinner....just for your planning purposes if you are planning to follow us in the future! 😃😃😃
We are looking forward to a day of worshipping, exploring, and relaxing tomorrow. We saw some interesting buildings walking Into town, but left them to see tomorrow. I am sitting in the lobby near the modem writing and the air coming in the front door is quite cool. For the first time in Spain I am thinking I will put on my polartec pullover. Supper isn't until 7:00 when all the restaurants start to serve food.
The lady at the front desk recommended a very good place to eat. Our waiter did a good job describing the choices with a few words and lots of hand gestures...rabbit was particularly cute! Andy had the rabbit and I had pork chops. Andy really liked the white asparagus which is plentiful right now. The only other place he remembers having it is in Germany.
All for now! Let me know if you have any questions. Please remember I am writing this as much for me as I am for you! It is my journal of sorts. Much easier to bring my iPad and have a place to journal, a Bible, books (tho I haven't read any books since the plane ride over), and email.
We were on the top floor...the middle balcony.
Below is the view from our window onto the square.
This is the church we attended on Sunday, located on the town square.
I loved how this shell marker was embedded in the cobblestone.
This Pilgrim stood guard outside the Alberque...
4 comments:
Am so enjoying each reading and rereading. Along the trail, WC facilities or behind a tree ?
Nancy, I'm greatly enjoying your travelogue. And the photos you are posting on FB have been beautiful.
I also wondered about bathroom facilities along the trail. Praying for your health and physical strength. Loved your pride comment from the other day. That translates into so many areas of life!
We have not had trouble finding bathrooms along the way, Anita. They have all been clean and private in the hostels and albergues. The cafe owners along the way let you use their tables and their bathrooms even if you don't buy anything. There are a few little burgs that don't have a stop, but many do. There are water faucets in parks and squares in all of the little towns, so you don't have to worry about finding water either. Our guide book tells us when there is not water for a few miles, so then we fill both of our bottles. Hope that helps. We can surely get together before you go and talk more about such details. Thanks for following us!
.
"be flexible"...one of the many things we strive for but don't always succeed! We say "go with the flow" to the kids often, which is our way of saying please be flexible. I wonder, is Uncle Andy always getting his morning cup of coffee? Or is he flexible when he doesn't? :) I am sure that you will be so very thankful at the end of this journey for many things, and one of them will be that you are keeping up with the journal/blog. So many memories to log. Love it! Hugs to you both! Chris
Post a Comment