Rain Take 3 or 4 or ? - Day 21 (May 4)

I was grateful for the private room last night because about five o'clock in the morning I started hacking my head off. So glad I had only Fred to hear me and not a roomful of irritated peregrinos.

Arch in Sahagun

We decided we would take the original Roman road route which meant little or no facilities for the journey to Calzada de los Hermanillos, a distance of 14 kilometres. To prepare for the lack of facilities, we picked up some bocadillas (sandwiches) and bananas at Alimentación Elias. Since our grandson's name is Elias, we thought this to be quite cool.

Stork Landing on Monestrio

We walked past the Arco San Benito, a beautiful arch next to the ruins of the Monasterio de San Facundo built in the 13th century. I am so impressed that buildings from that long ago are left standing. It seems like in the States, buildings are torn down with reckless abandon. To think these buildings have been here, although many in a ruinos state for nearly 1000 years, is such a testament to Spanish history.

Then... it wasn't a mist. It wasn't a drizzle. I was definitely rain. The most drenching we have had thus far. Finding a place to don our rain jackets, we ran into Elaine and Steve doing the same. In the only village we walked through on the way to Calzada a woman peered out at us, looked up at the sky, shook her head and wished us a Buen Camino.We were prepared for rain but the sun came out. During this stretch, I continued to look, as a child would, for the many wonders of nature - flowers, scenery, bugs. It made me wonder why don't I do this routinely when I am at home. Why does it take walking on the Camino to awaken this desire to seek the beauty that is all around.

Because of the pouring rain, I did not take many pictures today. I did stop once to take a picture of some lupines as these were the first I had seen. We walked this Roman road in the company of Dawn, Jim & Marilyn. Delightful conversations made the time in the rain go by quickly.

Walking in Rain

By the time we arrived in Calzada de los Hermanillos around noon, we were not quite soaked but beyond damp despite our rain gear and backpack rain cover. Found a great albergue, Via Trajana, where we were once again able to obtain a private room.

Barry and Char were already there to greet us. After a lunch of eggs and chorizo, we took showers and then much needed naps. Next was an explore of the city and a tienda for some more cough drops. At the outskirts of town, was a shepherd tending his flock. Not really a picturesque scene really but still fun to see the producers of what we had been stepping on in the streets.

At the tienda a sweet little old lady desperately tried to tell me what I needed to do for my cold. She kept saying leche caliente and pointed to the eucalyptus drops I had purchased. So... I did just that, had a hot milk with eucalyptus and some honey. We will see if it works. Hopefully so.

I am finishing this as I am about to call it a day. This evening has proved to be the first time on this walk that I have felt discouraged. My cold has moved into a missing voice making it difficult to join in on the conversations at dinner with friends Jim & Marilyn, Barry & Char, and Steve & Elaine. My ankle is giving serious signs of possible shin splints or something else painful. And to top things off, as I bit into a piece of bread, a piece of my lower front tooth broke off. Thankfully, the piece was off the back of the tooth so I don't look ridiculous.

I hope tomorrow brings some relief from all these things that seem to be plaguing me and that I can see better what lesson I am to be learning from them.

Lesson of Day: Strive for patience.

 

 

 

 

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