Last evening we did get to see the monastery built sometime in the 11th century. It too is absolutely stunning. And huge! I am trying to pay attention to the history of religion but cheerfulness keeps breaking through....
We meet Bronnie and Patricia (our teacher friends) for a beverage in the plaza and a joined by a fellow from Belgium . We solve most of the worlds problems in about an hour. We proceed to a restaurant across from our Hostal where Sid has a hamburger, which is a burger bun with ham! I had a goat cheese salad which was the best meal I have had in Spain , Sid also enjoyed his 'ham'burger. We share a bottle of the house red from the Rioja valley (that we are walking through)
When the bull fight is over the locals move on.
It rained off and on during the night and the forecast is for rain all day. In the morning my big decision is whether I should put my black shorts on first or my blue t shirt on first. We also decide to wear rain gear . We leave the Hostal at 7:30, it is still dark, it's not really safe to be out in the dark as often the path is a road BUT it is cooler then.
The path is muddy, really muddy. At one particular place my shoe ends up in slop nealy to the top of
it , we have to stop and I get out a dry sock.
We stop for coffee 6 km in at Azofra
And meet up with many of our camino community.
I am still not sold on biking as we watch this pilgrim carry his bike through the mud
The rain stopped and we shed our rain gear. We notice a field of green and wonder if it is turnip?
I listened to Lenoard Cohen for part of my walk as he has touched my body with his perfect mind....listening to him sing 'Hallelujah' while walking the camino certainly gives me something to think about!
And a rouge poppy
On this part of the trail we have way markers every km
In Ciruena we pass by a golf course
Looks pretty green yet! The whole area also looks very vacant...like a resort destination that didn't quite work out.
We reach Santo Domingo (population 7000) around 1pm and check into the Cisterciense Convent run by nuns
This is our most expensive lodging so far. One might have thought the convent might be reasonably priced for pilgrims but no so! It is very nice and I hope they are sisters of mercy when they see the mess I made in the bathroom cleaning my shoes!
We walk about the town and consider visiting the cathedral but for another 8 euros (really??) we opt out...
We are both doing good and feeling good ....no aches blisters or other nuisances . Today was my best walk...nothing hurts, very grateful for this life experience.
...ring the bells that still can ring.....
No comments:
Post a Comment