Frómista

For whatever reason, today started out feeling like a slog. Just a low start, made worse by the fact that it was an 11K walk to get to the first open cafe for some coffee. What happened to my plan to pack a little instant?!? It was only 9 K as it turned out because a very kind volunteer was providing coffee in tiny glasses in an ancient Ermita, where people have been caring for pilgrims for centuries. The tradition lives on! The stone carving is from that building.

My sad and lonely blahs lifted after the cafe stop and a nice visit with a pilgrim from Portugal who I’ve been crossing paths with lately. Amazing what some coffee and a little human contact can do for the spirits.

Arrived at my albergue without incident. Then the round of pilgrim life chores. Find an outlet to charge phone. Shower. Do the laundry. Find an ATM machine, because this town is big enough to have one and it’ll be a while. Dutifully visit the giant 15th century church on your way back, walking slowly on your tired feet. Check the laundry. Lie down!

Also, because it’s Holy Week, and way more than usual people are arriving into the Camino, I had a little booking frenzy this afternoon. I’m not booked for tomorrow, so send me good vibes, but I am from Wednesday through Monday. I think. Pre planning, not my strong suit.Read more