Day Ten: Santo Domingo to Belorado

Let's talk a minute about roosters. I think we all have this beautiful image in our minds of how mornings must be on a farm with a rooster: the sun rises, the rooster crows, and a beautiful morning unfolds. Allow me to put the cabbosh on that. I was removed from sleep this morning by a rooster who does not take his cues from the sun (seeing as he began his every ten minute crowing at two am) but rather is intent on ensuring that no one sleeps. Ever. I will gladly take a room full of snorers over a rooster any day. That being said, today was a lovely day for walking! It was a bit overcast, but that's okay because the sun was so hot yesterday that a tiny break is fine. After a two hour walk this morning we arrived in a town where we found a fountain, which was good because our camel packs were running on empty. Another hour's walk landed us in a town where we had lunch and then progressed until we arrived in Belorado, our final destination. 

We passed through many tiny towns today, and with those tiny towns came many tiny churches, perfect for today since I had so many prayers in my heart. In addition to the strength and health of the pilgrims, I especially kept my mom's cousin, Charlotte, in my prayers: healing of body and strengthening of spirit. I am always amazed at how beautiful these churches are and how intricate the details are in their statues and alter pieces. 

After arriving in Belorado, we checked into our Albergue (the parish Albergue next to the church) and promptly took a nap. There is this strange phenomenon that occurs every day after we finish our walking (maybe someone who engages in long hours of physical activity could explain it to us?): we lay down to rest, but no matter the temperature in the room, we freeze as if we are laying in snow while at the same time sweat buckets. What is that all about? It happens every day. At first I thought it was my cold, that I was running a fever, but it happens to the other pilgrims, too. So strange. After our rest we ventured into town where we found our favorite group of ladies from the UK having a glass of wine; they invited us to join them, and we enjoyed getting to know them better. They were full of questions about how the school systems work in the United States, especially university.  After our wine, Vera and I headed to mass but were disappointed to find that (due to a funeral earlier in the evening) there would be no mass tonight. At least we avoided attending this one ... We did meet another pilgrim, Danniel, who was also planning on attending mass, and talked with him for a while; he is taking a year off from his studies to travel and be "on constant retreat". I think there is a very fine line between running away and finding yourself, and this pilgrim dances the fine line quite well. After we had finished talking, Vera and I headed to the market to pick up the makings for lunch tomorrow (bread, cheese, carrots, cookies, chocolate, and pumpkin seeds) and then went to dinner where we ate until our bellies were full. Now I'm back at the Albergue, all tucked in to a tiny little room with twelve other pilgrims. I don't even care if they snore, as long as no one brought a rooster! 

Here are a few pictures from today: 

Buenos Dias, beautiful morning! 

Did I mention I bought a hat? I bought a hat. And it's an obnoxious one that you would wear to hunt tigers or that dad would buy on vacation ... in fact I think I will give it to him when I finish. But it is keeping the sun out of my face. Can we admire my tan for a moment?!? 

A lovely place to pray, don't you think? 

There are all these really great signs everywhere that try to keep pilgrims aware of their progress ... except none of them are accurate and they jump all over the place in terms of "how far we have left". For example, the next sign said we had 567 kilometers to go. Oh well. It makes for a pretty picture! 

Um ... Somebody put sea shells in my paella ... (It was actually delicious! This was my first time eating mollusks / muscles / whatever those creepy little things were.) 

City Center! I thought it would be rude to take a picture, but just to the left of the light post were the cutest little old ladies just sitting on a park bench in front of the church. Everyone who walked past greeted them as if this was an every evening occurrence. 

And my bed for tonight. 

Tomorrow is full of steep climbs, so be sure to pray for strong feet, strong lungs, strong legs, and strong spirits. 

Buen Camino. 

Jena