Mi Peregrinaje with James

Today was our last day of walking for the next week! I will say that after two days of hiking 16+ miles a day, my feet and legs were definitely feeling it more today. We are bussing around the area for the next few days.  On the schedule are some prehistoric caves, the Cathedral of León and its famous stained glass windows, and a beach on the northern coast!  Today's walk was pretty chill.  The last 5-6 miles were around the outskirts of León and then we made our way into León.  I got some good sellos  (I've almost filled my fourth credencial ), we met some friendly donkeys, met some not-so-friendly turkeys, and tried out the Spanish exercise equipment before we got to our hotel. We were 200 feet from where we just had breakfast, and I find all of my fellow classmates huddled around a fence.  For some reason, this turkey on the other side of the fence is ANGRY, like, he is completely puffed up, he keeps gobbling to intimidate us, and he is STRUTTING back an...

ALRIGHT! So, before I get started, can we just appreciate these cute little metal-working things that were on a house as we left Bercianos del Real Camino? Do I know if that house is still inhabited, or when the last time someone lived in it? No idea--but isn't it sweet to see these cute things that someone lovingly added to this house at several different times throughout the years? I like to see the art that people leave in these towns that are just slowly dying, and to know that at one point, this place was probably super alive and vibrant.  It's sad but also sweet. You know what is ALSO sweet? This thing that I tried in a town we passed through.  It's apparently called a torrija , and it's like SUPER thick and tasty French toast that is coated in I-don't-even-know-what.  I've been CRAVING cinnamon rolls, and I think this was about as close as I am going to get...and the craving was satisfied :D I still would have preferred a cinnamon roll straight out of my ...

HALF WAY THERE! WOOOAAAH, LIVIN' ON A PRAYER! Half-way, folks! We passed the official half-way point today! Interestingly enough, I didn't actually know I was crossing the half-way point, but I took a picture because there were these two SUPER cool statues! Also a fun but possibly TMI fact, 500 feet before the half-way point, I had the longest pee of my LIFE (cause a bottle of water a day keeps the dehydration away, am I right?)   And then I passed the threshold of the half-way point, free and clear and unburdened :D Another interesting landmark along the hike today were these things in the side of this random hill.  Turns out, they are bodegas .  They are where people store cheeses or wine or whatever else they need to age in a cold, dry place.  And look at the fun sign at the top of the hill!! So I feel like I probably should have explained something about the Camino long ago, but forgot.  Basically, the way the Camino works is that we have to look for trail m...

WAHOO! Today was a longer hike (17 miles) but it actually didn't feel that bad.  I think it's because I unconsciously measure distances now by how many towns we pass through, so when we walked the first ten miles without seeing one town, and the last seven only had two towns, it just didn't feel that long in my mind, but I definitely felt it in my legs the last couple of miles. You know, I'm pretty good at handling roommates, but it is kind of unfortunate that the place we are staying for TWO nights has only four person rooms.  So for two nights, I'll be sharing one bathroom (which as a reminder is where everyone has to go to the bathroom, shower, wash, rinse and wring out their clothes), sleeping on a bunk bed, and navigating around four suitcases on the floor.  Although staying in a smaller hotel also means we get meals this weekend, and I don't have to break the Sabbath as much on Sunday, it comes with its ups and downs, I guess.  Point is, I like my personal...

Today's walk, although short, felt quite long for some reason.  I think it might just be that we are getting to the end of the week, and my body is starting to feel it.  I've noticed that as I've gotten into the routine of the day that I like to get my work done before I play.  When I get into town, I like to get clean (cause you know, even it it isn't an arduous walk, I'm a little sweaty and a little dusty).  Most of the students take a shower within the first hour or two of getting to the hotel and then go out immediately to eat, or they take a nap, or hang out.  However, what I do after  showering is not very popular.  I like to get my work out of the way before I play or rest or whatever.  I wash my clothes (which between filling up the sink, scrubbing my clothes, and wringing them out sufficiently (which happens to be the most difficult part of it all), takes a good 30-45 minutes).  I unpack and set up everything I need for the day, I do...