Day 20: Terradillos to Calzadilla de los Hermanillos (26.4km/16.4 miles)

April 12, 2017

This was a tough day. And to top it off I wrote this post and somehow it got deleted/didn’t post. But alas, I shall rewrite it.

Learning from the day before, I departed with Michel and Matej at 7am on the dot! That morning I made the mistake of going to the bathroom and leaving my phone behind so my alarm was going off for 3 minutes before I managed to turn it off. Needless to say my other roommates were not thrilled. Whoops! 😣

We hiked 6km and grabbed breakfast in San Nicolas. I have to say, getting fresh squeezed orange juice for €2 will never get old. Neither will the Tortilla Española. 👌🏼

We took a break in Sahagun, which is about half way. I was running on fumes so I decided I would get a Cafe Bombon. I went to a cafe to order it but he Cafe lady didn’t know what I was talking about. She asked the owner and he immediately knew what I was referring to! BUT said he didn’t have any sweetened condensed milk. Before I could say anything he told the lady to go buy some from the grocery store. I was too delirious to think of how to say “it’s not that big of a deal, I’ll just take a cafe con leche!” So there I was sitting at the bar, feeling like an asshole making this lady go buy sweetened condensed milk for my drink.

The owner then asks me where I am from and he lights up when I said I was from United States. He goes on to talk about how he loves Americans because we are so polite and respectful. To be honest, I was shocked! Usually we get such a bad reputation as a greedy, self centered country who elected Trump of all people into office. It was so nice to hear someone rave about the country I am from, a nice change of pace. Made me feel so loved.

Before I left I said thank you again and he gets up to give me a hug and big ole kiss on the cheek! He was so kind!

The rest of the day was brutal. It was hot, no shade but we got to walk on a Roman road. It was really interesting to walk on a road that was thousands of years old, so much history occurred on this road (even if it was boring as hell!)

We arrived to town and opted for the Donativo Albergue, less glamorous but still very comfortable and even had wifi! Such a luxury I am finding.

We had our pilgrims dinner, with tons of laughs! A couple of the people at our table were in my room, with my lovely alarm. They gave me a (much deserved) hard time! Haha

Immediately after eating dinner I got a headache from hell coupled with congestion and a running nose. As much as I wish it was just allergies, I am getting a cold. Ironic since we are in the hot desert.

I was in so much pain and knew I would be awoken by some snoring people around me (they took a nap earlier and the snoring was so loud!) I had another long day ahead of me and I was just miserable. And missing him. I was a mess. Walked through the streets crying like a baby.

But I managed to fall asleep, using peppermint oil to ease my congestion. It was so lovely. Boy oh boy did these essential oils come into handy.

The bright moon we got to walk under while we waited for the sun to rise!

Oh hi sun!

In Sahagún! Arch of San Benito.

A lovely pastry I got a the local supermarket! 👌🏼

-Ashley