Day 23 - to Bercianos Del Real Camino

Today felt like a journey as opposed to a destination... we left at 7am (I walked 27kms without any dressing on my feet and NO blisters!! 🙌) ... we dilly dallied here and there to break up the monotony of walking alongside roads with cars and trucks flying by.

One village called 'Sahagun' had a running of the bulls event, which we gladly missed due to the hour that we came through ... but we ran into a fellow pilgrim who was still hung over from the night before and was very excited that tonight was free flowing alcohol and food, so he was staying another night! He said an American pilgrim got in the bull ring last night and sustained some injuries 😬... she apparently got a huge buzz from it, though, and said it was the best experience ever!! 🤔

I learnt about 'bodegas' today. I asked a spanish guy what the doors were in the sides of hills with chimneys coming out the top of the hill! ... he said each door belonged to a family and on weekends they all come together for an underground party!

Apparently, the constant temperature underground is great for curing hams, sausages and cheeses and making and storing wine. Traditionally, it was where the guys got together to taste last year's vintage and cut down a sausage! Soooo interesting.

I'm feeling really frustrated with booking accommodation. Every day, we are booking ahead a day or 2 but it is just so time-consuming and draining! The other option is to pre book every nights accommodation ahead, but that also has its negatives because it doesn't give any flexibility and locks you in ....aaargghh! 😤

In 2 days, we arrive in Leon, a huge city, and everything appears to be booked out. It's unfortunate that it's a Saturday, too, as the Spaniards seem to flock to cities on weekends! We were planning to have a rest day here, but who knows now!? 🤷‍♀️Okumaya devam et