Pinay Pilgrim: Boadilla del Camino

Sunday, April 7, 2013

Day 17: Boadilla del Camino - Carrion de los Condes (25 kms)

How can this day be so different from yesterday? Today we start out at 9:30 am with the temperature at -1 degrees. The overcast sky is a uniform slate grey.

We pass beside a canal and arrive at Fromista in an hour and a half. I buy some churros at a sidewalk wagon, 6 pieces for 2 euros. The vendor adds in an extra one -- una regalo, he says. My sister and I enjoy the churros together with a cafe con leche, although churros dipped in a cup of chocalate is more appropriate, of course. We take a look inside the Iglesia San Martin in Fromista.

Afterwards, the way continues on a long straight expanse of gravel-packed road right beside the highway. It starts raining at 2 pm and the road continues straight on, and the sky remains an overcast slate grey. Finally, after 20 kilometers of road, I see Carrion de las Condes in the distance. Another 30 minutes, under a drizzly sky and we are there. It is 5 pm.

The Albergue Santa Maria in Carrion de las Condes is manned by Padre Koldo and Sister Maria. We attend mass at the Iglesia Santa Maria at 7 pm where Padre Koldo is the celebrating priest. We run into him later after a pilgrim dinner at a local cafe and right in time before the albergue curfew at 9:30 pm, and ask him about the gospel reading, which, since it was in Spanish, we did not understand. He says that it is the story of doubting Thomas, who, when told by the apostles that Christ was resurrected, said that he would only believe this if he himself could touch the wounds in Christ's palm and sides. The Lord appears to him and lets him touch His wounds and Thomas falls to his knees and says "My Lord and my God." One needs not see to believe.

In the space of 16 days on the Camino, we have gone through the four seasons. One day it is a sunny blue sky summer, the next a rainy pouring grey day autumn, then a wintry driving snow comes followed by a chirpy blossomy spring. On the Camino, you take each day as it comes, however it comes.

The Camino passes beside a canal

Canal de Castilla, Fromista

Iglesia de San Martin, Fromista

Sculpture on the Autovia A-67 (Fromista-Marcilla)

Statue at the approach to Carrion de los Condes

Iglesia Santa María del Camino, Carrion de los Condes

Saturday, April 6, 2013

Day 16: Hornillos del Camino- Boadillo del Camino (39 kms)

It's my birthday today! I arrive at our destination after a 39 kilometer walk and I thank the Lord for the gift of a clear, sunny day on the Camino and reflect on how great it is to be here -- out under the clear blue sky, sharp cold fresh air blowing on my face, hard-packed earth under my boots, the sound of birds chirping, expansive fields of different shades of green, walking the way. As I walk, I think of all the many things I am thankful for-- my wonderful and supportive husband whom I love very much and who is the first to greet me on this day, my fabulous family who is always there for me, my dear friends. I am thankful for my health and the chance to be here on the Camino today, here, now.

We leave at 8 am in the morning and arrive at Hontanas 10 kms away at 10:30 am. Here we have breakfast at a cafe with wifi where I am able to check in and publish 4 days of blog posts. We start walking again at 12 noon and arrive in Castrojeriz at 1 pm, stopping for a fast lunch.

We are at Itero de la Vega at 4:30 pm where I meet some Camino friends. They sing me a birthday song as they sit and sun themselves outside their albergue. We press on to walk the final 8 kms to our planned stop, Boadilla del Camino, and arrive at 7 pm.

We check in at a nice albergue, the Albergue En El Camino. Kind and helpful hospitaleros Eduardo and Pedro, warm and welcoming place, nourishing minestrone and beef stew dinner. Even after our hard 39 km walk, 'twas a great birthday day. :-)