We went to the vespers prayer and music service at 5:30 in the church of Santa Maria, one of several large churches in Carrion de los Condes. The altarpiece was very impressive.
At 6:00, they offered a "musical encounter" with the nuns of the community. There are four in residence at the albergue, they rotate from their mother house in central Spain on a monthly basis. Three from different parts of Spain, one from Germany.
We also met Kathy from Seattle, a member of our American Pilgrims on the Camino group, serving as a volunteer hospitalera. She's in the picture with the nuns, taking a photo. The nuns asked folks to join in the singing, we all introduced ourselves, and there were opportunities for folks to offer any songs they brought from their homeland or tradition. A couple of Welsh fellows offered up a beautiful hymn in two part harmony!
We went off to dinner, then settled in for the night.
The hospitaleras had told us that the alburgue doors would be closed until 6:30am. YAY!!!..................
It didn't keep the 5 o'clockers from crashing about our bunk room with their headlamps on. One of our compatriots, Jim from Australia, went downstairs at about 6:15 to find the 5 o'clockers sitting on the benches by the door, just waiting. Unfortunately, there was not enough English between all parties to say why this is their practice.....
Anyway, B and I rose at 6:30 and stepped from the albergue at about 7:15 after saying 'bye to Kathy and another hospitalera from Colorado. We popped around the corner to the bar cafe we'd visited yesterday afternoon for cafe, a sweet roll, and we purchased little bottles of orange juice and two sandwiches, as we had a long walk and there weren't many services available.
And we're off!
The morning was remarkably chilly, with a cold breeze and threatening clouds.
At about 12km we stopped at a little pilgrim rest area to enjoy our OJ and a couple of eggs we'd been offered as we left the albergue. Definitely it the spot!
After a total walk of about 17km we stopped for second breakfast and a foot rest. We chose the bar less populated, which is usually more the spot the locals visit. Today's offer was a jamon tortilla and a chorizo tortilla, which turned out to be fried omelet sandwiches with the meats, washed down with lemonade.
Of course, it's always time to be checking our guidebook.
Oh, forgot to mention - last night this girl was frustrated at her lack of success booking a room for this evening, as the beds are not plentiful in this area and we'd really rather not taxi to an available bed to sleep and taxi back in the AM to continue. While sitting in the bar cafe yesterday afternoon, I had seen a postcard advertising a place we could stay that had an email address. Putting for together a few of my best Spanish words, I asked whether they took reservations and whether I could reserve two beds for my husband and myself for May 11. Shock of shocks! This morning I got an email back with the key word "confirmar" in it, so I knew I had a place for us to stay at about the 28km point. Happy dancing commenced, (on my part, anyway). :-)
So, we are in Terradillos de los Templarios, a place with a deep Templar history, although little of the physical remains. The albergue has a Facebook page, so some of you could see that: Albergue de los Templarios. It's purpose built and very nice, and they have a captive clientele for both dinner and breakfast, as the nearest bar is over 5km distant!
I should note that we have many folks we meet, lose, regain, and sometimes don't see for over a week that we chat with while walking, over meals, and in the afternoon while hanging out. One memorable couple is Beth and Harold from Akron. They have been a delight to run into day after day for about the past week, as they complete The Way this year by finishing up their last section, Burgos to Leon. This is their third trip in three years. We meet many Europeans who complete The Way in sections, less Americans who do so because of the travel required, of course.
I'll end for this afternoon with a thumbs up from B for a "clara", lemonade and beer, very refreshing mid-afternoon sip.
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