Jenni and I have now been walking for quite a few days. Our morning routine has become very predictable. We pack the night before and when we wake it takes about 2 minutes to put away our cocoon sacs and 40 minutes to tape our feet.
We left today pondering the differences in albergues and the role they play in recharging us. Many albergues are newer with nice showers and clean floors. These albergues make us feel clean and recharge our bodies.
The cleanliness comes at a cost. Even though we are refreshed and laying in a clean bed the opportunities to talk with other pilgrims is reduced. Jenni is amazing company and every minute with her is precious however we still leave these albergues feeling slightly isolated.
Then there are albergues with kitchens. These are preferred stops even if there is a newer and cleaner albergue close by. The pilgrims at this point have learned that by making a meal together it is cheap and the company is very fulfilling. Getting to know new pilgrims and catch up with old friends recharges our spirits far more then just having a good nights rest in a clean bed.
The parish albergues have by far outdone the other two types. They are generally the oldest but they have the most character. Usually there is a community meal and a pilgrims mass of some sort. These albergues remind us of why we are on this trek and do far more to recharge our mind body and soul.
The albergue we left this morning was the second type and we were very excited to share a meal with Jphnathon, Christina,Anna and many new friends.
Today's walk will be the first real walk through the meseta. To get there we needed to climb over one last ridge. It was a kilometer distance on a 12% grade going up.
After a short rest we started to leave when Jenni noticed a hat by our gear. Knowing the sun is torturous here we asked so people if it was theirs. They thought it was the Koreans that just left so Jenni and I grabbed it and tried to catch up. Upon doing so we learned it wasn't theirs so feeling bad that we stole the hat we left it by a sign hoping if the owner was still behind us they would find it. Thankfully we saw the owner later in the day and all was well.
Through the abundance of wheat fields and amazing views we made it to our albergue.
This albergue was owned by a local artist and sat adjacent to a monument to the king of the providence dating back to 1492. Looking at the monument it was easy to get lost in history thinking of how that was the same date that Columbus rediscovered the American Continent. The awe of walking through history older than our own nation was pretty amazing.
The albergue was an old barn and on the outside it looked like every old barn. Clay plaster that was falling off. Roof tiles covered in moss and grass that look like they are going to cave in with the first snowfall. The old wooden doors were decaying at the bottom, but when you walk through the dark entry way past the old field sledges with stones stuck in the bottom for smoothing soil you walk into an oasis complete with a sparkling swimming pool and soft green grass that was completely absent of all the green pickers that have been in all the grass we've come to this far. The lawn had artistic statues and a great feel. The man running it told us to find a place to sleep and come find him after we've cleaned up and rested to stamp the passports and pay the fee.
We got two beds in the loft on the barn. The place was clearly a renovated barn where the didn't do much to take away that feel but it was an enjoyable stay where we met a fellow minneapolisinite named Peter.
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