Day 16: Fromista to Carrion de Los Condes - 21.5km

Nice could cover today

From my Mom:

We started out at 7 this morning because we heard the weather would be a little overcast. We walked for about 8 miles and then stopped for a traditional Spanish breakfast...tortilla (not like what we think of in the states). It's made with egg, potato and if you're lucky, onion. Really yummy. We then visited the church in this town (Villalcazar) because we had read it was not to be missed. It was really pretty.
The last 5 or so miles gave us our first real taste of the Mesata...not great, but we pounded it out and arrived in a lovely little town called Carrion de Los Condes.  We are staying in a really cool, old Monastery dating from the 11th Century! It's absolutely beautiful! Just had a lunch of spinach salad with goat cheese and vegetables. Finally something a little healthy!! There is no one at the hotel so that's probably why we got such a great deal!

A few funny notes. Deco the Irishman is a big, tough guy with tattoos of Mary and Jesus all over his arms. He' an amateur boxer. Well, I guess he climbed over the Pyrenees his first day and when he finishes he sees a very small man. Deco says to the guy....wow, mate, what did u think of them there mountains.  To which the tiny German replies, 'Easy peasy'! Deco said if he hadn't been on the Camino he would've used his arm without all the religious tatoos to knock the guy out. So our new phrase on the Camino is 'easy peasy'!

I love this!

Came into town after a short nap for me...long nap for Steve. Ran into many of our new friends and had a beer with Paul (from Novato). He's struggling a bit with some blisters and what sounds like a shin splint. He said everyone's giving him different advice for blisters and I said I think you should go with what we say because neither of us has had a bluster in almost 250 miles. He listened to us and headed to the Farmacia.

Went to dinner at a cute little place where we had the Pilgrim's menu for 11euro. That includes two courses, dessert, wine, water and bread. It's the best deal on the Camino and available in every city. Picked up our provisions for tomorrow as we need to hike about 11 miles before any town. Ran into our very sweet friend Kelly and we got a great religious lesson about the Carmelites. I had many questions because as I mentioned earlier we are staying at an 11th century monastery. We walked all around it when we got home from dinner and we heard a group of people singing out in the cloister ... So beautiful. When returning to our room we met a couple who are biking the Camino. Nice people from NY. They can do the whole Camino in 8 days. What the heck was I thinking??

Apparently somewhere in this monastery people are buried who were murdered for being part of the Knight's Templar....think Dan Brown and his novels. Steve told me to stop talking about it, but I think it's cool!! We are talking about close to 1000 years ago. I figure by now they must be nice ghosts!!  Sorry Cate!

Some random Camino thoughts

They only play American music in every city. Don't get it, as most people in these small towns can't speak English. Maybe they like the beat?  The best was tonight while we were sitting outside and Hotel California came on. You've got to be kidding me!!

Also, if you don't speak English, but you're good at charades, you're set for the Camino.

All the older women, and that's almost everyone in the small towns, wear house coats around town. You never see them in pants!!

Everyone we say hello or buenos noche, etc. always smile and say it right back. Some of the older people start a conversation and we don't have any idea what they're saying but we hang out for a few moments and you can tell it makes their day!

Our magical journey continues

Almost forgot.. I really hate flies and the Meseta while not being that bad does remind us of traveling the I-5 down to LA. Think Harris Ranch on a good day!!

Love to all
Sue and Steve

Nice cloud cover today

I'm a pilgrim!

Breakfast

We loved this church

So fortunate to be doing this

I like symmetry 

Our Monastery for the night

Lunch

Dinner

Peregrino