Samos–19:14

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30 more KM. Seeing the city in the distance brings thoughts of warm showers!

I’ve never appreciated something that I do daily so much! Warm showers at the end of a 25+ KM day are seriously heaven.

And 60 cent Vino.

Buen camino

Vistas! Vistas! A flat walk out of Bodenaya to Tineo, then a training hill, from the perspective of the next few days, from there. Towns and valleys from above, then up and over the big hill to see more valleys and vistas, on the other side, below. Into Campiello around 3 pm. This village is Herminia’s empire: sh runs a couple of albergues, a bar, tienda, restaurant…  A huge pilgrim meal for 10 € shared with TP. Marvelous. But I am meeting others in Borres, a few km down the road where there is a 3 € albergue described as “very basic.” Tomorrow,  the Camino and the peregrinos separate again, one  route and group following the Hospidales route over the mountains, one through Pola de Allende in the valley.  David said to take the Hospidales if the weather is good; it is one of the earliest pilgrim routes along the Primitivo. Over 1200 m high across a mountain “with only birds and wild horses,  no electrical wires, roads, or water.” And the remains of three very old pilgrim hospitals along the way. David sold everyone on the route, and tomorrow is the first day with solid sun in the forecast. Others said not to go alone, so a Danish woman, a German guy and I will join up in Borres tonight and give ourselves over to the spectacle of the mountain Way.

Leon

Last day in León. All shops closed and I must get a new walking stick as mine broke in a bunk bed incident. Will leave tomorrow and head straight for Astorga as that is where my timeline would put me. Major hills approaching and I must have my sticks.

Had the best jamon y queso croissant this morning. The sun is shining in more ways than one, I love my life.

I walked to ledigos today. Beautiful walk and I met some great people.

We made it roughly 25-26 km to San Martín Del Camino today, onward tomorrow to Astorga!

I’m really missing my parents, relatives and close friends today, but I’ve managed to regain my good attitude about this strenuous, enlightening journey! No single day is easy, but every day has something incredibly profound to  teach me. With all of the struggles I’ve experienced since being here my goal of going into environmental or veterinary science has become much more clear. I’m not trying to save the whole planet, that isn’t possible unless we can accomplish a unified mindset similar to that of El Camino. I am trying to find a universal way to promote positivity, love (or alternatively, tolerance, for yourself and for others), a desire to obtain and share wisdom and an increased focus on health (regarding eating habits, general fitness, mentality and communication).  I am uncertain of exactly how to incorporate these focuses altogether, but all great things grew from a seedling of an idea or purpose and I hope to spread these possibilities like a dandelion in the wind!

Sending positivity to all of the other Peregrinos and all of my family and friends back home!

First 42k day. Felt grand to push my body. Unsure if I’ll sleep in the albergue or find a church doorstep in Sahagún. Either way, I’m wiped out.

We had a tough time getting the internet at this albergue. I’m making this a location post for Jackson Meister as well as myself. We are in the town of Villar de Mazarife. It was a beautiful day with amazing scenery and crazy weather. The alburgues is interesting, qoutes from so many travelers impregnate the walls. Some scrawls are long, some are short and curling, cats run across tiled roofs. It’s been a good day. My thoughts were of home today, but I wouldnt be anywhere else than in Spain.