Day 15

Thursday September 30, 2010

Day 15 on the Camino de Santiago de Compostela

Hornillos de Camino to Castrojeriz

Dear Blog Readers,

Today is an easy day to walk, because it is the second day on the ´mesetas´.  Leave Hornillos de Santiago, by 8 a.m. after the owners of the Casa Rural arrive and serve breakfast to us pilgrims.  Lots of pilgrims on the road today, all walking at a good clip.  Sun is long in breaking through the morning mist, but the wind is cool and the going is swift. Trek today takes us pass wheat fields, a Templar Cross pilgrims’ monument and lines of windmills.  Make a stop in a hamlet, Hontanas, for hot cocoa.  Track along a secondary roadway, tree lined, but hard on the feet for about 10 kms. Reach Convento de San Anton, an abandoned ruin once a convert.  Stop for lunch, ham sandwich and a coke.

Answer some of the questions posted from the blog - No, Janine - I seemed to have lost sight of the 4 Korean ladies, they must be two or three days ahead of me.  I have been walking for about 12 days, seeing three Japanese men - one lives and works in Norway, his two school chums have met up with him and all three are walking to Santiago.  One is the singer from last night’s dinner. 

I met up with young Stanley (American making the documentary) who let me use his Mac Book to send some photos. He was with Kathrine from England.  Lars was waiting for them in Burgos - but since then have not seen any of them.  Lost track of the two Canadian women, Lulu and Joan. From Canada meet Andrew, his wife Una and their friend Marsella in Burgos.  I have said ´goodbye´ to some of the friends made on the Camino - Dr. Bob and his wife, Teresa, who have returned home to Nova Scotia - Thanks for all the doctor advice Bob.  Teresa, you are a great walker. Hope you both return and go all the way to Santiago.  Arrive in Castrojeriz early, about 1:30 p.m.  Lovely ruined castle. Takes another hour to find the hotel. Adrew, Una and Marsella are here too.  Do the wash and find an internet cafe for the daily blog.  Trekked 20 kms. today - 330.6 kms. completed! Tomorrow will be a longer day - 25 kms.   Hope to get to Leon in 7 days for another rest day.  Take care, thanks again to all the RAR volunteers and those who donated and sponsored my trek.

Blessings from the Camino,

Yasmin

My personal thoughts for today - I am enjoying walking on the mesetas, it allows for introspective thinking and conversations about life.  I am asking the universe questions, hope to get some answers.