Camino 2014: Day 18 Leon to Villar de Mazarife (Emily)

Camino 2014: Day 18 Leon to Villar de Mazarife (Emily)

Miles today: 14.4

Miles total: 305.7

Today was definitely easier then yesterday! It was a nice break. We walked 23 kilometers (about 14 miles) Before this trip I never would have thought I would see 14 miles as an easy day. About half way into our walking we came across a guy that had set up a little table with food on it. He was giving out food to pilgrims and had a little donation box out instead of prices on the food. There was fruit, drinks, dried fruit, chocolate, and more. It's cool how many nice people you meet in a day along the Camino. Not many people would take time out of their day to give out food for free without asking anything in return.

We got to the hostal at about 1:30. Us three girls put all of our stuff on our beds then went out to go swimming. Mimi was nice enough to let me borrow her sports bra to change into after because I left 2 of my 3 at the last hostal. I am hoping to find a store in our next town tomorrow to buy another. Next were showers, laundry, then off to the store to get food for dinner. They had a kitchen so we decided to make pasta together. After splitting the cost it came out to about 0.35€ each. We usually try to make pasta as often as we can. Along with food for dinner we bought some snacks for tomorrow. Majority of our snacks are finally consisting of more fruit and healthy food, and not chocolate and doughnuts.

Tomorrow we get to sleep in until 6:00, and then we are off to Astorga! Considering 6:00 "Sleeping in" was also something I never would have thought was possible before this trip. Each morning though it gets easier and easier to wake up, pack my stuff, and start walking. It's crazy to think how far we've come. 305 miles down, less then 200 miles to go!

Special thanks for the day go to:

Uncle Brad Anderson, Patrick March, and Terri and Richard Roberts.

Many thanks to our mile sponsors as well:

Laura Collins, Marla Hanser, Coach Touchette, Meghan Moir, Mr. Morberg, Jan Hariland, Nancy D., Eva Hoffman, and Ron Harmon. 

Camino 2014: Day 17 El Burgo Ranero to Leon (Lanie)

Miles today: 23.0

Miles total: 291.3

Wow, what a long day... 23 miles is a lot and I'm really impressed at how we pushed through and finished strong. 

This morning I was shaken awake by Sahra at 5am to get up and beat the heat of this about-to-be longest day we've walked. As we were packing up, we all noticed that most everyone was already gone. (What?! Before 5?!) I was surprised, but I guess some people want an EXTRA early jump start to their day. 

It was pretty much pitch black when we started walking, with the moon as our giant flashlight. It was so beautifully big up in the sky with a few stars scattered around it. Mimi and Emily had their head lamps on so that we could clearly see where we were stepping. The air was crisp and cold, but I really didn't mind anymore. At around 6:45-7am, the sun came up and was on one side of the sky and the moon was still on the other side. It was kind of cool to see both by just turning your head. I also wanted my family at home to find the moon and look at it too so we would both be looking at it at the same time. That would be so cool! 

That first morning walk was 13km to a little cafe where I bought myself a hot chocolate (as always) and snacked on my apricots. It was about a 15 minute break and we were off again. 

The sun was blazing hot by early afternoon. I am seriously the darkest I've ever been in my whole life and I'm very proud. With the layers of sunscreen I put on, I manage to skip the burning process and go straight to tanning. It's pretty awesome. :) 

For hours, we walked in the sun with no shade. It was very hard. The heat just drains all of your energy. I was so tired and I felt like a zombie pilgrim walking on the trail. I was also not drinking enough water so my stomach felt uneasy, but at one of the stops in the shade, I filled up and drank the whole thing. At one point, we slowly limped up a gravel hill to a bridge that went across the high way. And on that bridge, we could see all of León. It was such a pretty view and it was huge! (It's just a little bit smaller than Portland if you want to know how big it was) I personally like when I can see where our destination is in the distance because I know where we are going and when we're within the town, it means we're close to the hostel. Haha. 

We got to the hostel at 2:30, and it was one of the bigger ones near the plaza area. I picked a top bunk above Emily (so I don't have to worry about moving around since I know her haha). I showered, washed some clothes, journaled for a bit, and then napped for a good hour an a half. March, Sahra, and Emily did too. We woke up and it was almost 6pm so we all went out together to find a place to have dinner. Before eating, we went to Catedral de Santa María de León, a ginormous cathedral with beautiful stain glass windows inside. Apparently when March went the last time, it was free to come in and look around inside, but now you have to pay. I got to step inside and take a few pictures, but I didn't pay to take the audio tour. Emily and Mimi did though and they said it was really cool. March asked Emily what she learned and she said, "A bishop is buried in there." That is all. 

We found a restaurant with a hamburger+fries+drink special for 5.95€. It sounded good to all of us so we ordered cinco! It was a satisfying burger. Embarrassing story to follow: When I had finished my burger, I wanted some more mayo for my fries. I tried to squeeze the bottle but sauce wouldn't come out. It was clogged or something. I took off the lid and stabbed a fork inside, put it back on, and tried again. I immediately found out that I had super strength and squeezed the lid off the bottle and all of the sauce fell out and completely drowned my fries. I then decided that I was full and didn't want them anyway, haha.

 We sat in there for while, sending some quick messages to friends and family before going to get Yoogo (a frozen yogurt place). I got a vanilla grande with oreos, kiwi, and dark chocolate sauce on top. Yummy! 

We returned to the hostel a little before 9pm, all packed up and ready to go to bed. Tomorrow should feel fast after today. Let's hope so! 

Goodnight,

Lanie 

Special thanks for the day go to:

Terri and Richard Roberts, Paul and Ruth Westlund, and Bree Fuqua.

Thanks to our mile sponsors as well:

Larry Jones, Melissa McDaniel, Jan Hariland, Marisa Cambreros, Carynn Bratton, Jeff and Holly Tomlin, Scott Touchette, Jerry Cheshire - Springfield High Graduate. Class of '59, Jim, and Laura Collins. 

Camino 2014: Day 16 Terradillos de Los Templarios to El Burgo Ranero (James)

Miles today: 19.3

Miles total: 268.2

Oh, the fun of an early departure.  I managed to quietly pack my own things and Sahra was able to clear the space between the cramped bunks at 5am this morning.  I then woke the girls feeling proud of my ninja skills only to trip over Lanie's bag and kick her water bottle across the room. Needless to say, our room was now awake.  

I've never been a morning person and I must say that for me personally, every morning is an unwilling act of getting up.  However, it is mornings like this that have me envious of those early risers.  Our path out of town this morning was under the glow of a huge full moon.  The wheat fields took on a ghostly, yellowish hue, not so much in a scary way, but warm and inviting.  We walked west, towards the moon hung low in the sky as it progressively reflected the deeper and darker colors of the rising sun in the east.  With the gravel crunching under our feet we frequently whipped our heads around waiting for that singular moment in which the sun peeks out over the horizon.  Sure enough, we turn and stop in our tracks and watch the first few moments of daylight.  It was a perfect to start the day.

The Meseta continued in its full glory, which can be equal parts monotonous and boring, and expansive and inspiring. Our guidebook, in an attempt to describe this section, suggests in an ever positive tone that perhaps this is the time "to reflect upon the inner journey."  As much as I want to just put my head down and pound out the miles until this section is over, he is right.  The Meseta is often described as barren, or some other form of "without," but that is what makes it special.  The walking is simple and, literally, quite straightforward so one is left with just their own thoughts to keep them company.  If one has a bad day out here, you don't have to look far to see who was at fault.  I certainly had some good miles through this section and I had some not so good ones.  The path certainly wasnt any different from one to the other so it must have been me.  

Towards the end of the day, I turned and saw the girls close behind, still going strong at the end of a nearly 20 mile walk.  The first albergue was full, but we ended up over at a different one with a nice lawn, kitchen facilities, and of course, lots of squeaky bunk beds.  These kids are starting to get in shape.  20 miles of walking and as soon as we were checked in, they showered, hand washed clothes, started making dinner (with the help of our animated host, Vincente) and then did yoga with Sahra.  Oh, and they also spent an hour or so journaling and then going to the store for supplies for tomorrow's trek into Leon, which at 37km will be our longest yet.  With the context of the Camino, this is a normal day.  I see it as normal, they see it as normal, as does everyone here.  However, I hope when this is all said and done they can take a few steps back and see how extraordinary their "normal" day was.  

Anyway, like I said, we have a bit of a trek tomorrow, which is why they are already in bed even though it is still light out, people are talking, and it is only 9pm.  Alarm clocks are set for 5am, which gives me chills just typing it.  However, it it is anything like this morning, I will give it a shot:)

Cheers,

James

Special thanks for the day go to: 

Terri and Richard Roberts, Patrick March, Jack and Sabra

Many thanks to our mile sponsors as well:

Phillip Lendly, Emily Beutler, Debra Houts, Larry Jones, Mr. Morberg, Angeles Phamuong (Lele, Tammy), Sam from the SHS Autoshop, Marisa Cambreros, Matt and Nikki Danner, Marianne Fairchild, Coley Long, Patti Rany, Jerry Cheshire - Springfield High Graduate. Class of '59

Camino 2014: Day 15 Carrion de Los Condes to Terradillos de los Templarios (Mimi)

Camino 2014: Day 15 Carrion De Los Condes to Terradillos de los Templarios (Mimi)

Miles today: 16.3

Miles total: 248.9

We continue with the same morning schedule. We got up around 6am and troubled ourselves again in the dark, attempting to be quiet as we packed. Slowly we got down the stairs to the first floor and had breakfast. Usually breakfast consists of something on bread, for example this morning Sahra had gotten up early and made her and March a tortilla bocadillo (Spanish sandwich with a potato omelet as the filling). Our breakfast was some bread with nutella, bananas, nectarines and some other fruits.  

Before walking though, we went through a thirty seconds and less dream-telling session.  We started on our way by 6:45am. Walking has gotten so much easier! We ARE still in the Meseta, so every morning the last three days were cold! I could see my breathe.  We guessed the mid-fifties (Fahrenheit).   As we have been walking, growing accustomed to walking, and then walking even more for a majority of our daylight hours, we have done many things.  

In the Meseta I should tell you of the things we see continually. So today was a walk through fields of wheat and then fields of barley.  Occasionally we saw a beautiful display of weeds, the weeds flowers, and some sagebrush.  Then we would pass by a field of sunflowers greens with a few full sunflowers.  I can't wait to see them in full bloom.

We walked through this landscape all day. As we walk we would talk.  The three of us girls would find ourselves in song, then silence.  And another song would pop up, then silence.  These silent moments could last anywhere from a solid thirty seconds to ten minutes.  Even longer.  What do we do in the silence? We think. We think about the weirdest things, random things.

For example, some of the things I thought about were so strange.  I first thought of a very fine back story to my dream from last night.  Hint: I was a Chicago girl sent to a farm.  Back story... I was sent from a detention center for sticking gum under my parents dinner table to shovel hay.

I was also stumped for about two hours trying to figure out what state was under Illinois just to complete my back story.  It got so bad I had to ask three different American people at the hostel (besides March) if they knew what state was under Illinois.  What was funny was, no one knew without Google.

Anyways by the afternoon it was hot. Hotter than the previous days. Maybe mid-eight degrees (Fahrenheit).  We showered and cleaned our clothes and ate dinner that consisted of yogurt and sandwiches and fruit. 

Now we are all in our room sitting on our bunks laughing and joking around.  We got to see a cute video of March' and Sahra's niece in Denmark take her first steps (too cute!)  and now it is nine at night and still bright like mid-day. 

We are expecting another good day of walking tomorrow.  Hopefully our early morning will give us a head start on our new day!

 

Special thanks for the day go to:

John Overton, Julie March, and Dave and Rachel Schiffer.

Many thanks as well to our mile sponsors:

Margaret Tejeda, Marianne Fairchild, Debbie Leiken, Phillip Lendly, Tauna Nelson, Alison R. Hamilton, and Mr. Morberg.

Camino 2014: Day 14 Boadilla del Camino to Carrion De Los Condes (Emily)

Camino 2014: Day 14 Boadilla del Camino to Carrion de Los  (Emily)

Miles today: 15.6

Miles total: 232.6

It was a pretty easy day today. We did about 26 kilometers. Along the walk we came upon this older guy parked by the side of the road. He had a basket of hard candies, and a stamp for credentials. Us three stopped for a stamp and ended up getting some nice lessons. First he called us "chicas bonitas" Then went on to write something on the top of my credential. He began talking to us in Spanish about what he wrote, then he realized we didn't know what he was saying. He then started to stop people who were walking by to try and find some to translate. A guy ended up being able to speak English and told us he wrote "Everyone on the Camino are brothers and sisters." It was really cool to see someone taking time out of their day to do that for others. 

Our next stop was at a little cafe with two donkeys outside! They were so cute! It was funny because they kept trying to get into people's stuff. You would have to keep an eye on your backpack to make sure they weren't chewing on it, and watch out for your food while eating. There was one that kept trying to eat me and Lanie's food, March would try and push it away but it was being so stubborn. Then it started making the noise that donkeys make. It was hilarious! It was so loud and it just kept going and going. 

We arrived at the hostal around 2:00. As soon as me and Lanie hit the bed we were out. We woke up about 2 hours later, showered, then went to the supermarket with Mimi. On the way we passed a street and could hear people singing, they were still going on our way back to the hostal so we went to see what it was. There was a band set up in some heard, with a bunch of kids sitting in front of it singing along to hymns. Adults were walking around on the porch hanging out and singing along. It looked like a lot of fun. We headed back, made dinner, and now are relaxing in our room. 

14 days down, 14 to go. We're half way there!!

Special thanks for the day goes to:

John Overton, Harold and Ruth Westlund, and Les and Lori Adams.

Many thanks to our mile sponsors as well:

Jack and Sabra, Margaret Tejeda, Samantha A. Morris, Daniel Padilla, Tauna Nelson, and Debbie Leiken. 

Camino 2014: Day 13 Hontanas to Boadilla del Camino (Lanie)

Camino 2014: Day 13 Hontanas to Boadilla del Camino (Lanie)

Miles today: 18.5

Miles total: 217.0

I had a good day today. This morning I got up, packed up, and went downstairs where we watched last nights soccer game highlights. Germany killed Brazil, 7-1. Ouch... And it's also Sahra's birthday. (Happy Birthday Sahra!) Then we were off! 

The first stretch went by quickly with two breaks in between. Our first break was just on the side of the road where I snacked on my dried apricots and Oreo cookies. The second break was at a little cafe. Since it was freezing this morning and I couldn't feel my fingers, I bought myself a Cola Cao (hot cocoa). It was delicious! And I got an extra stamp in my passport. 

The sun was out all day, but I didn't have to take off my long sleeve or jacket because the wind was so cold. Haha, but I'd rather have the wind than the blazing sun. It was actually really nice. We came to a rather steep hill after the cafe stop, but I really didn't mind after I got to the top and got lost in the gorgeous view. It was amazing! I could have sat on the top of that hill for the rest of the day and just stared. The rest of the trail went down and then flat. Easy as pie. 

We stopped for lunch in Itero de la Vega and all got Bocadillos con queso y jamón (sandwich w/ cheese and ham). It was pretty good. I also got an extra stamp there. Sahra and March stayed there for awhile so us three took off. It was 8km to the hostel and we didn't even stop for a break! We passed the time by singing Disney songs, country songs, pop songs, and any other songs you can think of! All of the Disney favorites brought back so many memories. 

When we got to the hostel around 2:30, the guy showed us where we would be sleeping and we got to choose our beds. Inside the room was an upstairs loft thing and it looked like fun so us three girls called the three beds left up there. Haha. After showers, we sat outside in the sun for awhile and met the hostel's cat named Beleto, ate snacks, and then napped and journaled before dinner. We all had the pilgrim dinner which consisted of soup, beef stew and salad, and an ice cream bar. It wasn't my favorite pilgrims meal... 

Now I'm off to bed. I already hear snoring... Great...

Night!

Lanie 

Special thanks for the day goes to:

Cathy Zosel, John Overton, and James and Sahra (yeah, the ones who are with us now).

Thanks also for our mile sponsors!

Mr. Morberg, Nathan Sam and Joe Schiffer, Roger, Terry, Sheryl, Jack and Sabra. 

Camino 2014: Day 12 Burgos to Hontanas (James)

Miles today: 20.0

Miles total: 198.5

The hostel in Burgos was alive at 5:30am. In the low light I could see a flurry of activity, but you can always make out what was happening better with your ears.  Bags were being packed, albeit clumsily since it was dark.   Metal water bottles clanked on the hard floor having been kicked by an errant heel.  The swishing of teeth being brushed.  Muffled and whispered conversations in all the languages you can think of.  These are the sounds we have come to associate with morning.  

One would think that having three teens on this trip may not jive all that well with a 5:30-6:00am wake-up time, but the girls have done remarkably well.  It really only takes one really hot afternoon of walking to convince everyone of the benefits of getting the vast majority of your walking done in the cool, early morning air.  Nowhere is this strategy more apt on the camino than in the area we currently find ourselves.  On our way out of Burgos today we hit the Meseta, a tabletop, dry, and potentially very hot region of Spain where shade and water is few and far between.  

It may sound like an awful place, but it can be gorgeous.  Google "Camino de Santiago" images and you will likely come across pics of cathedrals and trails.  Those trails, set in expansive scenes are likely to be from the Meseta.  It is the only place you can attempt to capture an idea of the endlessness of the trail.  

Physically speaking, the miles should come easy.  With very little ups and downs you can walk in a rhythm that allows for some distance to be covered relatively easily.  However, it can be mentally a little bit challenging.  Since it is generally flat, you can sometimes see your destination long before you actually arrive.  This is harder on you than you think.  The brain thinks its done, but the body has a long way to travel.  That dissonance results in some serious internal bickering between body and mind.  

Or first taste of the Meseta came with mild temperatures and about 15km of pretty easy walking.  It became a little hot towards the end, but we are happily checked into an albergue here in Hontanas.  I told the girls of a swimming pool down the street and they haven't returned in 30 minutes so I assume that they were able to get in and cool off.  Sahra and I have showered and Sahra even did some handwashing of clothes, including my socks from today.  She is awesome like that.  It is also her birthday tomorrow, so maybe I will let her wash all my clothes for me.  Just kidding.  We are living quite simply out here and unless she wants something from the small store here, like a bruised banana or something, there is not much I can get her.  Perhaps a nice dinner?  We'll see.  All I know is that we should all wish her a happy birthday because if it weren't for her, I wouldn't be doing this trip.  

All things considered, including aching feet, nagging pains, sunburns, etc., we are doing fine.  There was a huge section of graffiti painted on a drainage pipe the other day that we all read.  It said, "Why are you walking?" I'm not sure we are all able to answer that question yet and sometimes it can probably bother them not really knowing.  However, I know that journeys like these have a way of slowly revealing themselves and sometimes you might not even know "why" until you get home.  If you are into numbers, we have walked about 200 miles, or about 400,000 steps.  We have about 600,000 steps left to ponder that very question.  

Buen Camino!

James

Special thanks for the day go to:

Cliff and Jo Schutte, Edie Granger, 

Thanks also to our mile sponsors:

Patrick March, Marsha Goodsell, Shyvonne Moore, Lisa Estes, Dan Nau, Roger, Pat and Harvey Kirpatrick, Jack and Sabra, Aunt Kuga