Fromista/Villalcazar de Sirga/Carrion de Los Condes

Sept 20. 20.5 km

We headed out of our albergue this morning at 6:30 AM and only two blocks later ran headlong into a cafe that was open and selling cafe con leche and tortilla. Since we really didn't know how long until we were to be in another village, we stopped, ate and got back on the way at 7 AM.

We chose the shorter off our two options today, in difference to John's poor feet. His blisters and Achilles' tendon continue to improve, but it is slow. Our path followed beside a highway for then entire day, making rather tedious walk, with little to divert our attention. At one point, we passed many weeping willows and I remembered my brother Rick. As I recall, the softly flowing branches of the weeping willow that grew in our yard outside of Wichita, were frequently used on 'Ricky's' bottom when he got out of line. Brought a smile to my face, remembering booth of them. There were fields of sunflowers with droopy heads, ready for harvest.

About an hour after we truly commenced our walk, we were forced to don our rain gear. A bit of a driving rain, but we kept walking. Luckily for us, it lasted less than an hour and as the rains was subsiding, we caught a glimpse of a rainbow.

We also found a really funky albergue to dry off and have another cup of coffee. It was like a scene from Pahoa...ducks, chickens and turkeys meandering around, a teepee in the back for the more adventurous pilgrims and plenty of dreadlocks. Just like home. We met up with a number of propel we've met before, dried off and enjoyed visiting for a while.

The remainder of the walk was uneventful, with cars speeding along the highway, only a few meters to our left. Mighty hard place to do one's business when walking along a highway!

Perhaps a space between the sunflowers will,serve,as,the temporary water closet?  

Another Saturday in Spain, and another wedding. We were stuck near the middle trying to find our albergue. Wow-these folks sure dress up and put on a good party. Our stopping place for the night Albergue run by the sisters of st Vincent de Paul with 16 beds per dorm room, but not a bunk among them. When we all returned from mass, there was a single person who didn't  do mass. She had the dorm lights out, we the rest of th 15 just used torches to out ourselves together for the evening. 

Staying in a converted convent, still run by the nuns of st Vincente de Paul, it is pretty much obligatory to attend mass.

We were treated to a classical guitar concert before mass. Mostly Baroque music, which translates to a 19 string guitar beautifully. The acoustic in Iglesia de Santa Maria Del Camino were impressive. The musician was extraordinary.

After the concert we left to get a couple of things done before mass, Min and Haley, our friends from NZ show up. They have been taking it easy.

We are so thrilled to see them. I got Min's email address, so we can be in touch when we all get home. Love those two women.

Clanging bells reminded us that we need to return to church for mass. 

Mass was done in Spanish, no surprises there. There were lots of pilgrims and priest asked the pilgrims to stick around after mass for pilgrims blessing. I thought I was the only mushy person there, with tears rolling out of my eyes, but from many of the other pilgrims had tears also. The nuns read a beautiful story of the Camino and what we, as pilgrims need to do to take Jesus with us on our way, to share his light and to keep our hearts open for Jesus. We are to offer kindness and to accept kindness. Father did a special blessing for each pilgrim, laying on the hands and crossing our foreheads. Most, if not all, of the pilgrims were moved to tears. It was an emotional time, during an emotional, nearly 1/2 way point in our journey.