2022 Camino Day 3 (15)

It was another early day, but that’s the kind I like. I was the only non-Korean in my dormitory of about 5 bunk beds. Everybody seem to get up around 6:20. It’s nice when everybody gets up at the same time and the same room because then you can turn the lights on. Fumbling around and filling your backpack in the dark and with a flashlight is not the best way to do it.

Sunrise was at 8:45 and I left at 7. It was a short walk out of town and then, immediately up the side of a large hill in the dark.

Once on top, I was amazed at how flat it was. It was more of a large plateau. After a while, I walked down the other side and made my way through the breadbasket of Spain. There were fields for miles. I caught up with Corrine and walked with her For a couple miles to the first village. After stopping at a few bar / restaurants we settled on a small supermarket to get some food. We each had a tuna empanada. It was just what we needed. Then, both of us preferring to walk alone, we started out at different times. She was was behind me for most of the way until I had to take a phone call. Then, she left ahead and we both ended up at the same cafe and the second village of the day. She mentioned laying on a bench outside and putting her feet up. I decided to do the same thing and discovered how therapeutic that could be. After only about 25 minutes, my feet felt as good as they do in the morning.

An old Italian church where Corinne stayed last year along the route.

I was able to leave the village and make it to the end of the stage pretty quickly and in minimal discomfort. There is a canal that goes 90% of the way from the second village to Fromista. If you choose so, you can ride the canal boat that distance. It was just about to leave when I got there but, I decided that would be cheating. Interestingly enough, I actually beat the boat to the end of the canal on foot.

Some of the older mud brick construction in Formista.

It is a short walk into Fromista from the end of the canal. I am staying at the Luz Albergue. The person who owns it is a bit odd, but the rooms are clean and the bathrooms have large showers.

Early dinner / late lunch… Tortilla (what we call a frittata) with egg, cheese and onion and a couple glasses of Rioja wine.

Tomorrow I think I am going to attempt to do two days worth of walking. My feet held out pretty well today and the next stages are flat and relatively short. I think if I take a break in between, I should be fine.

The fine guys from Kansas City introduced me to this new app. It makes videos with your photos. I’ll try to remember to use it as I go. He’s the video from today:

Here are a few pictures from outside of the albergue and of the church across the street

I lit a two candles for my grandma and grandpa.

Prior to mass, Lucy did another awesome yoga practice.

The yoga is something totally new to me, but I really enjoy the benefits. It’s impressive that we could have 6 people participating in a small room using folded blankets as mats. Lucy’s UK accent is the perfect voice for a yoga instructor.

I did a little grocery shopping to get my daily bananas and then I actually went to a pilgrim’s mass in this church. It was quite special after the mass (all in Spanish) they asked the politics to come up and blessed us all. I cried. It was a great release. All the emptiness that I’ve created inside allowed the spirit of that blessing to fill me with emotion.

The selection of canned proteins was impressive.

After a bit of cajoling, I joined in on the community dinner. We had hot soup, cured meats, cheese, the ever-present bread, and a selection of pickled items – from olives and asparagus to crab claws (they were delicious). I did the dishes.