Najera to Santo Domingo de la Calzada

Today was an easy 21km in, again, wonderful weather! I’m loving this weather, I’ve never enjoyed the Camino Frances so much! Usually this section is unbearably hot. I’m so grateful for the cool, fall temperatures. Tomorrow there is a chance of rain in the morning, doesn’t look like too much, so we will manage. Today we walked through Azofra where we had a coffee break and chatted with Liz from California who we met on the way out of town this morning. Sweet lady who shared her story of what brought her to the Camino, which made her cry telling it, it was very touching that she shared it with us. We trudged forward and got to Ciruena which is still a hauntingly strange town even 11 years after seeing it the first time. I had hoped it had changed, but it had not. Beautiful golf course with dozens of condo buildings everywhere but we only saw one person walking the streets. Abandoned buildings, all fairly new in comparison to the ancient buildings we are used to seeing, but mold taking over the outsides. For sale signs everywhere. They were there when I was here 10 & 5 years ago. Beautiful community pool and playgrounds, but no children. I only counted about a dozen parked cars. I didn’t get a photo as all I could think of was getting the hell out of there. Why so abandoned? What happened here? All this new construction (or at least a decade old) but no one has bought here, no sign of life, just a golf course. I need to look this up. After the ghost golf village we were about 5Km from Santo Domingo de la Calzada, our final destination for the day. I like it here. Some great history and beautiful old buildings, many restaurants, one of which is a Michelin restaurant we are going to tonight and of course a stunning church. I did the tour of the museum and church on a previous visit so I didn’t venture in to do it again. Holly didn’t seem interested in the tour so we got our credential stamped there and went in search of tapas and wine to tide us over until our 7:30 dinner reservation. We called our husbands, got the low down on the happenings at home, and headed back to the room. Once again we are in an apartment with our own bedroom, kitchen/living room. $53/each. So worth it. Tomorrow night we are in an albergue with who knows how many people so we are enjoying the peace and privacy while we can!! I like the mix of private and shared living with others. Staying in albergues are the key to meeting people. The experience is so much better when you get to hear all the stories and laughter. My biggest concern is my cough and disturbing others. Last night was good though, I think these effervescent tablets dissolved in water at night are helping break it up in my chest. I’m hopeful that tomorrow night there is a loud snoring man who steals the stage from my intermittent coughing attacks! That’s all I got for now, Ciao!!😘😘Baca lagi