Had a very good sleep last night. Ate breakfast and was on the road by 7:00. Walked 18.5 km today. Was a very pleasant walk. Took the route by the river which was a kilometre or so longer than walking along the highway (was worth the extra steps). They call this the flat lands. After living on the Prairies for so many years, this is not flat. Someone told me that tomorrow´s walk will be more like the desert.
Stopped for a short break at Ermita de las Virgen del Rio (an old abandoned church). Just sat and ate my apple, it was very quiet and very peaceful.
Stopped in Villalcazar de Sirga (about 1 km down the road) for a cafe con leche and to visit the church (you had to pay to get into this one).
Got to Carrion de los Condes about 12:30. As I walked into the city I saw Stephan2 waiting for the bus. We laughed, this is the 3rd time we have said good bye.
Found the Albergue Espiritu Santo, it is run by the nuns. It is nice (and clean). Wandered around the city, stopped for a hamburger (it actually tasted like home). It is now 3:00 and I have not showered or done laundry, so I better get busy or my clothes will not dry before bed. It is quite cool today, actually drizzled a bit, nice for walking.
After chores (shower and laundry) were done I slept for about an hour then found a supermecado to buy supplies for tomorrow. It will be 18 km with no place to stop. Bought my groceries and ran into Jessica, Randle & Otilia. Donna from Ottawa was with them (Nova Scotia is her home). People have been asking me for about a week now if I´ve met her. She said also that she has heard about me everywhere she went. They bought stuff to cook their own dinner. I have absolutely no desire to do my own cooking! so I will wait the half hour for the menu del dia to be served. Al and Jolinda from San Pedro California just stopped by and chatted for a few minutes, ran into them early this morning on the trail. Also ran into George from India at the chapel in Villacazar de Sirga. It was good to talk to him for a bit. His leg was still pretty sore but he still kept going.
I have been sitting in the plaza for about half an hour watching the people. It is thundering like you wouldn´t believe and it doesen´t seem to phase anyone.
Well, I ended up getting soaked! When the rain came, it came hard. Some kind soul moved my laundry, however I think it may still be wet in the morning.
Earlier I went to check out the chapel here in the city. They had the lessons for Sunday printed out in many languages, so I picked up the one in English. The 2nd lesson was from Hebrews 11. As I sit here and write this, I glanced at the verse at the bottom of the page in my journal, wouldn´t you know it, it was Hebrews 11:1 - ¨Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see¨. Out of all the verses in the Bible, what are the odds that it would be the same one, especially since it really fit with many of my thoughts as I walked today.
Still charting your progress on my little map! Can't wait to hear about your trek across the 'desert'. Blessings!
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