Monday, May 20, 2024
Jona—a friend of my two new Dutch friends I have been walking with—joined us last night in a room where four mattresses were placed on the floor for us to sleep on due to our late arrival at the albergue. Jona wakes early, incentivizing us to get out of bed and into the morning. So when the light goes on we prepare for the day, eating breakfast from the food in our packs. We are walking into a cold, dark morning that warms within an hour. Most trails walked are distanced from traffic, winding through fields and light forests. We cross the halfway point this afternoon. One of our group members stayed the night in the town of Sahagún. As we walk through town we see him and he joins us. Our destination for the day is the small village of Calzada del Coto where we stay at a small donativo. When we are inside, all of the domestic chores are performed. I save all the creative material early, finishing by 5:00. Groceries are acquired in the copper-coloured sunlight of the aging day. Sander meets two Lithuanian brothers travelling together, and we enjoy a pint with them, asking about their story. We return to the albergue by 10:00 to avoid being locked out. I plunge into the deep, dark sleep of a person spending much of the day walking and laughing. Tomorrow: Reliegos.
Today’s distance walked: 21.0 km | Total distance walked: 508.83 km
“Ultreia et suseia: we go further and we go higher.” — A quote found somewhere along the Camino.
Sunday, May 19, 2024
My mates went out last night. I had nestled into my bunk fairly early, copying material from cameras to the external hard drive. Our morning begins in the small village of Carrión de los Condes where we view the Monasterio de Santa Clara after a 6:15 am start. The sky is flat, greyed-out with cloud cover, but the walking is fun, replete with jokes and jibes, all for laughs and giggles. A short stop for coffee at Calzadilla de la Cueza where I met a fellow Canadian that led to an interesting conversation. We aim for the grocery store, attempting the door handle—locked—but miraculously, after a few seconds, a woman and a beautiful smile allows us entry, inviting us within where snacks and breakfast are purchased for the day. Today is filled with laughs. Good images. Good footage. We arrive around 1:00 pm at the village of Terradillos de los Templarios. We attempt entry into an albergue just outside town, but it is full. We try the next one—the only one—in town, and we luck out! The hospitaliero offers us a room with four mattresses on the floor in a separate room! The night will be quiet, organized, and comfortable. Shower. Hand wash laundry. Afterwards, I retire to the restaurant/bar to transfer files, write, and enjoy a few pints. Another day full of grace, giggles, and good distance.
Today’s distance walked: 31.22 km | Total distance walked: 487.83 km
Saturday, May 18, 2024
As we agreed upon the time to rise in the morning, the light is turned on at 5:30 am to help us prepare for our upcoming day of walking. 6:00 am breakfast and then out. The pre-dawn sunrise splashes across the sky with clouds awash in orange, pink, and purple. A candy-coloured display; the firmament lit in neon. We set a nimble pace—walking fast and far—along a detour through more natural terrain away from the noisy highway. We arrive in Itero de la Vega in good time, checking in without reservation before the throng arrives. All domestic chores are completed before dinner is prepared and tomorrow’s destination is agreed upon. My initial priority for this adventure remains: enjoy everything, keep smiling, spend my time with those I love and care about, and keep capturing as much as humanly possible!
Today’s distance walked: 40.9 km | Total distance walked: 456.61 km
Travel far. Travel light. Move through it all, and I’ll see you again in Santiago.
