Miles Hiked Overall: 231.3 (372.3 km) Miles to Santiago: 253.6 (408.2 km)
Steps Taken Today: 35,199 Blister Count:It's complicated
Spanish Word of the Day: cielo (sky)
What We Learned Today: Just when you think you've seen it all on the Camino, you find something else that blows your mind.
Today's Camino ran right along side the main road...which was not very busy so not much car traffic. The book called it "soul numbing" but I actually kinda liked it. Instead of hours of nothing going on, at least the road traffic gave some entertainment at times. I know true pilgrims are supposed to be thinking deep, enlightening thoughts during the quiet times but that's a stretch for me. Either I don't so deep thoughts or I like to be entertained, I guess.
Today's high point came in the village of Villarmentero de Campos. We wanted to stop for a drink but instead we found ourselves in the Camino's version of Disneyland. There were numerous animals wandering around, there were multiple toys to play with (including hula hoops and hammocks), walls for your graffiti enjoyment and multiple interesting places to spend the night (including a tipi and cement culverts.) The craziness went on and on...what a fun place. They had pizza and coca cola light for me which also helped to rank it among the Camino"s top entertainment spots.
Pam and I also met a couple of new friends today, but they were a bit stiff..
We went into a Knights Templar church built around the 12th century. The KT were quite big in this area at that time spreading their version of Christianity and helping to "protect" pilgrims on their way to Santiago. It was a beautiful building. Inside is a huge altar piece depicting the life of St. James.
Here I am doing the daily routing of getting my feet ready for the day...lotion, antibiotic cream, bandages and special band aids. Pam does the same...as does everyone else in the albergue. Almost every pilgrim you see or talk with has some (if not multiple) issues with their feet and other parts of their bodies. But especially with their feet. It's almost funny to see pilgrims at the end of the day without packs. ..they're doing what Pam and I like to call the Pilgrim Wiggle. Not only do pilgrims walk differently without extra weight in their backs but at night they tend to their physical woes and then everyone is limping and walking tenderly. It would be funny to watch if it weren't so sad.
―TS Eliot
