We left Parador de Leon after taking our photo
with the sitting pilgrim in the Plaza. Loved Leon!
A dugout house.
In fact, a whole development of them.
Don't know what this narrow, 5-story building is,
but Mike yelled out, "Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let
down your hair," in passing. Alas, no response!
Back side of those dugout houses.
A nice little park on the Camino.
Definitely in the Shire now!
Such beautiful country; enjoy the video!
Coming into Fresno on the Camino.
Shades of California!
Check out this services sign for pilgrims, especially the WC.
(WC is second row from the bottom, two from the right.)
Flat tires look good in pink and turquoise.
Entering Villarreal de Mazarife!
Another hotel with storks on top. So cool.
Ran into Molly, Sarah and her husband, Arnie.
Dana, a darling girl from Colorado and
the subject of Mike's story today.
The Hospital of the Soul, also featured in
Mike's story today. You are in for a treat!
Mike takes a break at the Plaza de Mazarife.
Tio Pepe's bar, last stop before heading
for our evening accommodations.
Tonight's hotel, so charming!
Cozy and warm, with lots of good feeling.
Our beds are fit for a king!
Ok, maybe styled a bit more for a king's consort.
Open window looks out on a stream.
Oh, the lovely sounds of that water!
View of tonight's lodging, a converted mill.
Taken downstream, the house reflected in river.
Video tour for your viewing and listening pleasure.
We give our hotel tonight 4 stars for ambience.
Tomorrow we are off to Hospital de Orbigo.
10.6 miles. Hope the name is not prophetic!
A story from Mike:
Pilgrims learn to trust the Camino.
Dana is a darling girl from Golden, Colorado. She is between jobs and has always wanted to walk The Way, across Spain. She shared with us her love for this Camino and how it seems to watch out for and take care of her as she travels along. Dana is carrying all her belongings in her backpack, weighing some 17 pounds, which is rather heavy for her. Because of the weight, she is unable to carry much water. So, she fills a small bottle and "trusts the Camino to provide." When she needs a drink, she seems to find water on the way, just in time and always fresh. When she is coming to the end of the day or is tired and need to stop, Dana has learned to trust the Camino to provide. In the next town, an albergue pops up that is just right for her. If not, the very kind albergue volunteer calls ahead, and they come to pick her up. She talked about one day coming into Castrojeriz, when she was exhausted and in need of some help. On her way down a small alleyway, she noticed a sign out front of a store that beckoned her in. "The Hospital of the Soul," it said. Time after time, whenever she needs something, trusting the Camino has provided for those needs. With this in mind, she slipped into the Hospital of the Soul and was treated to all sort of holistic and healing services from a caring professional...just when she needed it.
We ourselves have experienced many times when the Camino just opened up and provided help when we needed it: from surgery for Dave in a layover city by a doctor who had lots of experience with blisters to finding a pecan ice cream bar when we didn't think they had one in the Nestle's ice cream cooler. Some are big needs and some are small. Buen Camino.
A story from Dave:
We walked about 13 miles today. Most of the trek was on a dirt road, surrounded by fields and more trees than the last few days, but still pretty dry. When we came upon our lodging for the night, we were delighted. It's a converted mill with a river running underneath the building. I walked down the riverbank and found a shallow spot, wading halfway across to look back up the river at the mill house. The old building was reflected very clearly in the water, so I took a picture and a video. At first glance, when I looked at the photos, it was hard to distinguish the house from its reflection.
This hike has been hard at times, ranging up to absolutely wonderful at others. I hope to remember it all as if it just happened, but I know that (like the reflection) it won't be there in quite the same way as the actual experience we have enjoyed. One thing is sure: I will always be grateful for this journey, this opportunity to test myself against the Camino. And though it will be over in a couple of weeks, I intend to treasure each reflection as the years pass...even if the memories ripple a little through my aging mind.
Click below to support suicide prevention
and mental health, the causes Mike and Dave
are championing with their walk.
I wonder about the homes in the ground. They certainly look like hobbit homes 😊.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if they are designed that way to keep them cool during the summer months?
The WC sign really made me laugh. We should use that sign here I California!!
Are you getting tired yet or is each new day just like the first?
Always love watching the videos and hearing the sound of flowing water. Spain looks like such a beautiful and peaceful place.
Those dugout buildings that many think look like Hobbit homes are actually 'bodegas de vino' or wine cellars. They keep cool in this hot, dry region due to their covering of earth. While they may look like homes, they are mainly storage facilities for wine. Sometimes, friends will gather together inside the cool shade to share a drink. Some of these have small kitchenettes, but they are rarely used as a place to stay (at least not in Northern Spain).
ReplyDeleteThose dugout buildings that many think look like Hobbit homes are actually 'bodegas de vino' or wine cellars. They keep cool in this hot, dry region due to their covering of earth. While they may look like homes, they are mainly storage facilities for wine. Sometimes, friends will gather together inside the cool shade to share a drink. Some of these have small kitchenettes, but they are rarely used as a place to stay (at least not in Northern Spain).
ReplyDelete