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- 12 May 2023
- ☁️ 10 °C
- Yükseklik: 782 m
- IspanyaCastilla y LeónBelorado42°25’8” N 3°11’29” W
Day 14. Belorado
12 Mayıs 2023, Ispanya ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C
Happy birthday, Nicholas! I awoke this morning at 5:00 to the outside sounds of a concert band playing music with distinctive drums, shortly afterwards culminating with a thunderous cannon going off. The locals were still celebrating the feast of St. Dominic, known for having helped pilgrims. The people in yesterday’s queue were there to receive a piece of bread and an onion slice, symbolic of St Dominic’s help. There will be another queue today, apparently with some other food handed out.
I got this story from a pilgrim staying in the albergues. Staying in hotels cuts me off a little from fellow pilgrims, but it’s been difficult for them finding places at the auberges this year. Having so many pilgrims creates accommodation issues, and many are forced to leave early in the morning to get a place to stay for the night. The way it works is that you arrive at the hostel before opening time, then you put your backpack in line, then you are given a number. Each auberge has a limited number of beds, so if they are filled, you have to move on to the next one. There are many auberges, but many pilgrims are scrambling to book ahead at auberges that will accept reservations. Some resort to staying in hotels, but most pilgrims try to do it on the cheap. All my hotels are booked and my luggage gets moved, so I have it easy, but I wouldn’t want to deal with the frustration of not being able to find a place while being fatigued.
I started walking at 8:00 am in 8 degree - colder than Yellowknife- cloudy, rainy weather. There was lots of debris in the streets after last night’s party. Street garbage is rare in Spanish communities I have seen. It wasn’t raining much, but enough to warrant a raincoat and backpack cover.
I caught up with an elderly Montana couple, avid hikers, who carry tents in their backpacks when the situation warrants. But, not tonight; it’s her 75th birthday, and he has a hotel already booked with a special meal. They were both librarians and so well informed. A lovely couple who enjoyed each other’s company and embraced life.
A bit further down the road I met Thor, who grew up in Calgary, and graduated from St F X in 1993. He currently lives in Austin , Texas, but employed by Apple has had him living in London, England; Perth, Australia; and Houston, Texas. While at St F X, he resided in MacIsaac House, the same dorm I stayed in. We had a photo taken together. He’s been dealing with blisters, but he will likely cycle after this, trading “blisters on my feet for blisters on my ass.” His wife will be meeting him in Santiago in early June, so he has to get there. Lots of people dealing with foot and leg issues.
Once again, I walked through rolling hills, lush farmland, and a few small villages today, but much of our path was next to a busy highway with large vehicles. A few of them beeped their horns, likely intended to spur us on, but it only served to startle me.Okumaya devam et
Gezgin 💕
Gezgin New friends,new scenery, new experiences! So great! Hope your feet are holding up well. Good wishes and bon courage from this end!!
I am very much enjoying your pilgrimage! [John Pollock]