Day 18: Fromista to Carrion de Los Condes (20 km/12.42 miles)

April 10, 2017

Today was such an easy day (physically.) What a treat after a couple really tough days in this desert heat. Last night, I managed to escape the snoring party, aka the guys whose snoring seemed to vibrate the room. I switched beds into a different room and it allowed for a peaceful night sleep. Slept so well!

I must say the albergue we stayed in yesterday was so bizarre. There were so many rules. I couldn’t sit cross legged in a chair, wasn’t allowed to dry clothes on the heater (a nifty trick when the sun doesn’t do the trick.) We were required to sleep on/in our sleeping bags (couldn’t sleep directly on the bed), we couldn’t sit outside or go into the garden area, and there were 2 plush recliners labeled “private.” I felt like I was living in Sheldon Cooper’s apartment (a Big Bang Therory reference, aka a very OCD person.) It was not welcoming environment at all!

My new friends, Kate, Kirsten, and the 3 Italians, invited me to join them on the hike today. It was so lovely hiking with other people again after some very lonely days. But alas, halfway through my right foot developed a blister. So I had to stop and was left hiking alone again.

But this time it wasn’t so lonely. This time I enjoyed the time to be by myself. I didn’t feel so “alone.” I was able to feel, and appreciate, the love I have in my life even though I was by myself. My spiritual guide (I guess that’s what you would call her, she does BodyTalk with/on me) sent me a note reminding me how the Spirit is with me at all times. Even when I am by myself I am never alone. Today I felt that. And it was such a lovely feeling. To experience a cosmic hug, what a relief!

The Camino has helped me realize we have an infinite about of love to give the world. I was so devastated to “lose” my Camino family, I didn’t realize separating meant I was able to love them and meet more people by having the space to do so!

As fate would have it, I ran into 2 fellas from my Camino family not long after getting to town (Neil and Malcolm) I about tackled them when I saw them! It was completely random, thought they had left the town— but oh what a beautiful sight.

We had a great rest of the night, enjoyed the singing of nuns! Picture below. They are from a small monastery in central Spain. Only 36 nuns in their convent. They come to this town to sing and provide prayers/blessings to pilgrims. Such a sweet group!

The view I had pretty much allllll day! So much sun.