The Path Less Traveled

La Virgen del Camino/Chozas Abajo/Villar de Mazarife

Sept 29. 15.7 km. Continuing our short walks, as we break in the boots. 

Zounds! We were in a room with about 13 other people, there were NO seriously loud snorers!! Slept like a well fed and burped baby. What a treat. Our dinner, cena, was less than satisfying, but it filled the need. 

We left our albergue in the morning at 7:20 and by 7:45 we knew we had missed a turn. We had chosen to take the less traveled path today and I didn't read the directions closely until we were past the last turn for the natural trail. We overshot by only a few meters, and it was certainly worth turning back. Our choice of paths today is a much older path, steering clear of traffic and major highways. During our time on this quieter, more natural walkway, we saw less than 20 other pilgrims. By 8 AM we were completely away from the highways that the more traveled path followed and found an open, but nearly deserted, bar. It was time for a coffee.

After coffee, we continued on our quiet path. At one bend in the path, a man was selling fresh fruit, trinkets and was squeezing oranges for juice. It's been some days since I had juice and, even though is was still very chilly, decided it would be a dose of goodness for me. John bought a beautiful nectarine from the man and we continued on. Our boots are breaking in nicely and we started shredding layers to enjoy the warmth of the sunshine shortly after the juice break.

 

In the tiny village of Chozas Abajo, we stopped at the cultural center, aka the bar, and shared a bocadillo. With only a few kilometers to our final stop, we were rather leisurely. We got to Villar de Mazarife around noon and were able to check in immediately in Casa de Jesus.

Yep, we stayed in Jesus' house. Carpenter that He was, I really doubt that He would be impressed with the place. The Casa was a bit of a leaning, slanting maze of rooms and hallways. We had a room to ourselves, which is nice, with a door that squeaked enough to wake the dead. The floors listed decidedly to the starboard side, requiring some wall assistance to navigate during the night in darkness.

The walls were decorated with many years of graffiti, some good, some great and some just so-so. It made for some interesting reading, as we hugged the walls to get down the stairs!

After showering and laundry, we headed to the tienda to get some provisions for dinner. The selections at the store were better than expected, so I wandered the isles getting inspiration. Garbanzo, chicken and vegetable stew, along with a salad and bread was the outcome.

By the time all was set, we had eight other walkers joining us, representing European and North American homelands. With plenty of food, wine and laughter, we ended our evening together with an Italian, named Marcus, strumming the guitar in the courtyard chatting and sipping our wine.

There are givers and, there are takers in this world. Nearly all of our way has been graced with fellow givers. We had a close up of a taker in, of all places, an albergue named after the greatest giver of all. A fellow from Spain, mid fifties, was the picture of a taker. No details necessary. As I've mentioned before, these notes that I publish serve as a reminder for me. I shall remember the details and the feelings expressed by my fellow pilgrims of this man, without details in print.

John is on the mend and we we look forward to continuing our journey tomorrow.