Thursday, 17 May 2012
Santo Domingo and Belorado
2 more days closer to Santiago. Yesterday was a short day. We slept in until 6am (I can´t believe I call that sleeping in!)because we only planned on walking just over 15km. Our group needed a day off but a short day happened instead. Coee was at Cirueña golf course. Cirueña was a really creepy place. It looked very modern but so many of the buildings were shut up and for sale or lease. We weren´t sure whether pilgrims would be welcome at the golf course, so we asked. Perergrinos and all are welcome - so we settled into coffee and pastries. Arrived at Santo Domingo de la Calzada just before noon and joined the line up for an albergue. It was clean and modern but the internet wouldn´t accept my blog, hence no report yesterday. Lunch sitting in the square in the sun eating Spanish Pizza. All good. We had to check out the church and see the chickens. Live chickens in the church really! Actually they were hard to find, hidden behind glass way up high! I had imagined them running around part of the sanctuary. There is a legend as to why they are there - too much detail to add to the blog. Spanish churches are amazingly ornate. In fact some of the architexture we saw in Santo Domingo was very overwhelming. Interesting but I find excessive. Last night a foot specialist came to the hostel to take care of pilgrims feet. He had a line up of clients incuding several of our group. He was fairly aggressive - there was plenty of moans and gtroans - but he seemed to know what he was doing and people came away with well bandaged feet.
Today we were up at 5:30 and walked the 23 km to Belorado. We passed through several villages none of which were on pilgrim time. No coffee until 8:45 and then it was instant! so we just walked on getting here about 12:30. Everyone of us walked today which is amazing because feet are hurting. Some sent their bags on but made it. Each of us is on our own camino and we don´t know what each day will bring. Food was certainly welcome after we showered and washed clothes. A day´s walk on a yogurt, a banana and a cup of instant coffee doesn´t quite make it! I am not quite sure where the Spanish summer is because today was cold. I didn´t get warm until I had a warmish shower and lunch. Today is day 14 ad we passed a sign Santiago 576km so we are closer than we were 14 days ago. We are starting to get into the routine but it is still tiring and hard going. But we are still smiling. Please will someone reading this call D and wish her a happy birthday from me - have been thinking of her along the way. till next time. Daphne
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Hello Daphne,
ReplyDeleteI just phoned D to pass on your birthday wishes. I caught her in the shower but she was thrilled to get your message.
All is well here. I think of you all often and will keep you in my prayers.
Louise
Cirueña is Exhibit A of why Spain has a financial crisis. There are lot of these speculative real estate investments, where (in this case) a whole village was built with borrowed money that can't be repaid. The Spanish banks are in trouble, and with them, the whole economy. (We talked with a young Spanish economist from a bank on our first Camino.)
ReplyDeleteBuen Camino!
Dave Conway
Hi momma,
ReplyDeleteSounds like a tough go over there but I know all your training will pay off. Besides, where do you think I got my stubbornness from? All is well here. Your garage is full of painted doors and trim. Hopefully I'll be painting the house by Sunday. The girls got your postcard today. Brynn was pretty excited about the "kids" on it which she told me over and over. She's pretty under the weather with a cold, teeth and a really bad cough but she's a trooper. She's loving her "swimming lessons" with momma. We go in each time Ellia has lessons and she loves to "fly" that's what she calls it when she tries to float on her own. Ellia is doing really well in swimming. Her instructor said she needs to relax more ( does Ellia have a relax mode? I haven't found it yet) but she definitely loves the water. I signed her up to start pre-k at st Joe's next year. Moira came and watched the girls for a few minutes because I had to line up at 7:00 am. I applied for a full time math position at the high school but I'm pretty sure the job already has someone's name on it. That's our life. Love you lots and hugs from all of us.
Love the garland gang
Hi Momma,
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear that the coffee is good and plentiful. The small things in life can bring such joy during long walks eh? We are all a bit under the weather here. We woke up to 6 inches of snow on Wednesday morning. I still persevered to go greenhouse shopping to get bedding plants because D was in daycare so it was my window. Luckily by Thursday afternoon the snow had all melted and while it still feels cool at least it's not winter :)
We have all been sick in the last few days. D is the last to have it and is lying on the couch eating popsicles now as he has been unable to keep food down since dinner last night.
N is a very happy guy these days and is very excited about the new slide and swingset we inherited for our backyard! Evan has been busy training. He has ridden 1200km on his bike since the beginning of April! Love from all
xx
R+boys
Hi Daphne,
ReplyDeleteglad to hear you are still smiling and slogging onwards. You are upheld in prayer by any people here. Are most of the churches of the Roman Catholic or Orthodox denominations - would that explain their excessive ornamentation? Must still be pretty awe inspiring at time though to think of all the love and work that went into building them.
Sounds like your diet needs augmentation!! Eat heartily.
God bless you.
LP
Hi Daphne,
ReplyDeleteI just spent some time catching up on your blog - returned from California a couple of days ago. I am impressed! Keep going - one step at a time - you will get there, I know. I love hearing about other people's adventures as I sit in the comfort of my own home! Hugs, Mary