On Camino 18 Days
When I woke up at 3am to go to the bathroom there were people in the kitchen packing their packs and getting ready to go. Three in the morning!! Craziness!! While I was up I noticed my Spanish friends were not snoring, but the Irish guy two beds over was. Didn't keep me from falling back to sleep. This guy is a little odd. He doesn't really talk to anyone. I've tried, but all I found out is that he is Irish. He didn't ask me anything. He looks like a businessman going to work short hair cut, clean shaven, long sleeve button down shirt tucked into khaki bermuda shorts and a belt. He's heavy set. A Camino mystery.
I woke at 5am when other people started moving around, had breakfast with my Spanish friends, got ready and got on the road about 6:30am. This is the first time Zi've used my headlamp this year. I decided last year that I really don't like walking in the dark, because you can't see anything.
After I started walking I came to this hill. I remember it from last year. It's about one kilometer up a steep hill. This year the sunrise and moon kept me busy, so I went up slowly and got to see plenty. The sky was extraordinary until sun got up. The sky looked like there was a fire nearby, but none are on the news and the sky is clear now. It must have been atmospheric because they don't have smog in this part of Spain.
I walked along happily. I saw my Spanish friends again at a little picnic area where this guy sets up with fruit, soft drinks and coffee. All donativo. I had a nectarine in my pack, so I ate that and gave him a euro for a coffee. While I was sitting there munching away, I saw these hunters with guns and dogs, so I took some pictures. A lot of people hunt birds for eating along the Camino. It fact the other day we were kind of all strung out in a line walking one section of the trail and I thought of the game booth at carnivals where the little ducks swim by and you try to shoot them for a prize. I thought of us pilgrims walking in a line as the ducks and suddenly I thought, "If I see any dirt fly, I'm going to dove into the ditch." Fortunately, it was just my crazy mind again. I mean there were hunters and gun shots, but they weren't aiming at us, unless they were very bad shots.
I saw my Victor, the young man with my Spanish friends, with the man who I think is his father at the sign telling us we were entering the Provincia of Palencia and he offered to take my picture. He did a great job. I saw my Spanish friends again when I entered Boadilla. They called to me and we said our goodbyes. They are going on to from oats where one of them is leaving for home, so they will be ahead of me. And I think the others are only going to Leon.
I got to En El Camino in Boadilla. This is my favorite albergue on the whole Camino, at least of the ones I've stayed in so far. I got my pick of beds, took a shower, did laundry, had an incredible ensalada mixta, and took a nap. Now I am looking forward to a yummy dinner. I think I'll go get my pack organized. More later.
Well dinner is over and it was yummy. I sat next to the Irish guy. His name is Bartlett and he is a road engineer. He is actually quite nice, but seems socially awkward. I'll have to make a friendly effort.
I met a bunch of people here by the pool and at dinner. One lady was from France, two from Italy, and another woman from Australia (not the one I met yesterday.)
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