Day 21: Santibanez to Rabanal del Camino (Auna)

Day 21: Santibanez to Rabanal del Camino
20.2 miles
Total:  338.7 miles

     When I was little I imagined my sixteenth birthday to the BIGGEST, FUNNEST, CRAZIEST, and possibly the most stereotypical 'Sweet Sixteen' ever. My ideas changed as I got older but I never once thought that I would be spending my sixteenth birthday in Spain! Just being here is enough to satisfy me, a dream come true. and just a couple days ago I realized that your birthday shouldn't have to be a big celebration that people freak out over. I wasn't expecting anything much and I didn't want anything either. Today is my sixteenth birthday and I got more than I could ever ask for.
     I had no idea that March and Bree had a secret birthday plan for me going on. I didn't think anything was weird when I figured out that Bree was leaving about an hour and a half before us but later it all made sense.. But their surprise wasn't the only surprise I would encounter that morning. As I rise further and further up the big hill this morning I noticed something in the distance. Once I was at the top I could tell it was one of the Camino's great gifts, a "trail angel". A trail angel, on my birthday, it was perfect! March and I get there and look at all he has to offer. For drinks this nice man had coffee, tea, hot chocolate, milk, and a wide range of juices. He had a bunch of fruits, bananas to plums to nectarines to apples to pears. Along with that he had walnuts, chocolate, sugar plums, and crackers but there was something he had that most trail angels don't have.. In fact, something most Europeans don't even have and I have yet to see it be sold in stores, PEANUT BUTTER! It was such a great treat. There was a book that he had for pilgrims to sign and leave notes in, most of all the English notes said that the peanut butter was such a delight! It was creamy but still had bits of peanut and this wasn't jiffy crap, it was the real peanut butter. He also had a stamp we could put in our credentials that was a red heart and had in it "La Casa de los Dioses" March stamped both of my hands as well. This guy is was so generous, he said he did it because he loved seeing peoples faces once they see his stand, pure happiness. It makes people realize that, once again, 'this walk is all about the way and not the destination' he says. As I start stretching off to the side on the trail I notice a box, my eyes lit up once I saw what was inside. I turned to March and sang "Accessssorrrieeeesss!" (: it had necklaces, brackets, and anklets. They all were so cute and I just couldn't decide. I felt guilty eating a bit of his food and I felt even worse just thinking about taking one even though it was all donation. March looked at me and reminded me that it was my birthday and that it was okay, he helped me settle on this cute bracelet. I got a picture with the guy at the stand and I thanked him. I already knew it would be and unforgettable birthday from just that moment. I want to do stuff like that for people, make them smile and cheer them up. I want to be something like a trail angel. 
      Later on we end up in Astorga, one of the couple big cities we will be hitting until Santiago. March says he wants to see the cathedral so we go into the town a bit, I see Bree sitting at a table in front of a Café. I had yet to notice what was on the table until I got closer. As March grins with his camera pointing at me I see this mountain of stuff under a big coat of napkins. I didn't know what was underneath and I was already so happy. It was so sweet, they shouldn't have done anything. With tears of joy in my eyes I unwrap my surprise.  It was anything I could've asked for and more! The first thing I saw was some sort of berry cheese cake slice and then a slice of some almond butter type cake. There was a tall glass of very fresh squeezed orange juice and all sorts of breakfast foods. There was a croissant, scrambled eggs with bacon pieces, biscuits, slices of ham and fried eggs with slices of cheese. It was so delicious, we all dug in. My belly became so full so quick. It really touched my heart, it was so thoughtful and I didn't even expect anything and once all of this happened I was overwhelmed. I got an unforgettable and very sweet sixteenth birthday. 
      Today was the second day in a row that we walked over 20 miles, it may have been 20.2 miles but I walked that '.2' miles and it was not easy! The sun was definitely shining today and it was shining bright! The last 8 miles or so it was pretty hot. It seemed to get hotter and hotter with every step I took. A couple miles away from town I was walking alone and I couldn't see people in front of me or behind me so I just took off my shirt. Other people wouldn't say that it was that hot but I was walking in it for a while now and I was getting sweaty and gross so I walked in my short and sports bra and I tucked my shirt in my backpack straps and it draped over from my shoulders to my shorts so I was covered but when there was a small breeze it felt great. We were walking later than usual and I wasn't used to the heat while backpacking. The rest of the day I spent wandering the town or mingling with new people. Deija and I made some great pasta for dinner and now I lay in bed about to fall asleep.. As a sixteen year old... How cool is that? Pretty darn cool I'd say! I really want to March, Bree, and Deija to know how much I appreciate them and what they did was so kind and more than I would ever ask for. I'm glad I can experience this with all of you, we have become a little Camino family. I love you guys, thank you so much.

Auna