Friday, May 24, 2024
Everyone wakes slowly—a delight in this exercise. No rising early, no racing to the next albergue, no competition. The morning is ours. Renting this flat was a good idea. The space and privacy afforded here in León were exactly what I needed—what we all needed. 6:30 am I rise to brew coffee. We make breakfast, pack, plan. The day promises to be warmer, sunny, and bright. We walk, meeting a group of people—a Canadian I am interested in talking to. Lunch is enjoyed as a picnic a few kilometres down the trail. The final two hours of walking are warmer and a bit tiring. Whatever—it’s all part of this. We arrive by 4:00 pm at an albergue seen online countless times. I am happy for the opportunity to stay at this place! It is basic but quite nice. Shower. Wash clothing. Eat some food, then get to work, posting and organizing the day’s work. Some writing is then made. Some editing is made of past posts. We walk to the river, via the medieval-era bridge into Hospital de Órbigo, for some big laughs in the river water! Many photos and videos were shared over this experience. Lots of fun, enough to crown this day as the best yet! Sunny. Hot. Clear. It is so wonderful to have clear skies under which to walk. Sleep arrives easily after a day full of walking, big laughs, and making creative stuff.
Today’s distance walked: 40.5 km | Total distance walked: 606.63 km
I’m no fun at all.
Saturday, May 25, 2024
The night is quiet. A full sleep to 6:00 am is enjoyed. A quick rise out of bed, and we begin walking as the morning brightens. We walk out of “Hospital de Órbigo” into the countryside—one much more picturesque than yesterday. Today is perfect. Rolling hills. Sunrise. Good conversation. The day heats up quickly. The warmest, brightest day yet. Lots of pictures and video footage are made. Laughter and lively conversation were enjoyed. We walk through the town of Astorga. At the 20 km point, we rest with a coffee break, then power through to 31 km to the village of Santa Catalina de Somoza where we have reserved beds. As much as I want to walk this entire route reservation-free, they provide confidence and assurance of a bed in which to sleep. It is a good albergue—not busy, not loud. A bar is attached with food and pints. Good showers. Sander has felt the need to venture out on his own soon, and we all understand and encourage him. We all say goodbye, see him off, then dig into our afternoons with domestics and sight-seeing. Today on the trail I met a very nice man from the United States with whom I talk with for close to a half-hour. Our walk takes us to an interesting donativo on the trail where several people we know spent the night. Once we are seated on the albergue terrace with food and pints last-minute pranks and jokes are made with our favourite and soon-departing Sander. Washing. Bunks are claimed. Showers and snoozing are enjoyed. Work. Federico’s ten-second portrait turns out well! I met Federico early in this walk, and he has consistently displayed an interesting and creative personality. He also, inexplicably, can show up at the most interesting places along the Camino. I have a long evening organizing work and editing material. By 9:30 pm I finish. I am upstairs by 10:00, climbing exhaustedly into bed. I didn’t realize upon setting out to film this experience that it would take so much creative and physical energy! I am putting a lot of focus and energy into this project—I hope it will yield interesting and creative results. We are sleeping in a room with a profound sleeper who snores loudly. A bit of initial frustration, but once sleep is achieved, I sleep through to 5:00 am.
Today’s distance walked: 31.1 km | Total distance walked: 637.73 km
“Don’t try to be sure ’cause after there’s no space.” — Graffiti written on a factory wall.
Friday, May 24, 2024
Everyone wakes slowly—a delight in this exercise. No rising early, no racing to the next albergue, no competition. The morning is ours. Renting this flat was a good idea! The space and privacy afforded here in León were luxurious. I rise at 6:30 am to brew coffee. We make breakfast, pack, and plan. The day promises to be warmer, sunny, and bright. We walk, meeting a group of people—a Canadian I am interested in talking to. Lunch is enjoyed as a picnic a few kilometres down the trail. The final two hours of walking are warmer and a bit tiring. Whatever—it’s all part of this. We arrive by 4:00 pm at an albergue I recognize having seen it online countless times. I am happy for the opportunity to stay at this place! It is basic but quite nice. Shower. Wash clothing. Eat some food, then get to work, posting and copying files online and to an external drive. Some writing is then made. I work on editing posts for the blog. We later walked down to the river, via the medieval-era bridge into Hospital de Órbigo, for some big laughs in the river water! Many photos and videos were shared over this experience. Lots of fun, enough to crown this day as the best day yet! Sunny. Hot. Clear. It is so wonderful to have clear skies to walk under. Sleep arrives easily after a full day.
Today’s distance walked: 40.5 km | Total distance walked: 606.63 km
“If you realize how fragile your life is and how at any moment it could be turned upside down, you will walk very gently on this planet.” — restaurant menu board
