Yesterday was not the most pleasant on the Way. I was very tired BUT I found it really difficult to rest at all. The hostel was full of families with young children - they make lots of noise. As I reflected on it this morning, this was the first time I have stayed in a municipal hostel. Maybe there are more families in these hostels because they are much cheaper - this one was donation only.
Being Spaniards, these families also ate very late - at around 9.30pm. This meant that they were still creating a racket at 10.30pm. They made as much noise shooshing their children as did their children.
This was also the first time that I have had a top bunk. Goodness gracious - this bunk was not built for me. The rungs were about a metre apart - that's how it felt. It was quite embarrassing climbing up there for the first time with someone looking on.
It was also a town festival. This meant that people were out in the streets until at least 2am - it was nowhere near as loud as the previous festival and there was no toof-toof music but I could still hear the music coming through the windows until the early hours.
The only highlight was the dinner. The soup, a specialty of Leon, was exceptional - a bread, ham and garlic broth with an egg floating in it. This was followed by a very substantial serving of lamb shanks and then followed by a lemon custard dish. I was ready to explode. All of this and two beers for 10 euros!
Naturally, everyone in the hostel wanted to rise at 5am or earlier. I, on the other hand, did not need to get up so early as I only wanted to walk 20 kilometres today. Alarms rang, people whispered, plastic bags were rustled and zippers went up and down and up and down. It is absolutely beyond my ability to comprehend why they do not prepare their packs the night before. I have everything in my pack except my toiletry bag, first aid kit, and sleepsheet/pillowcase. It takes me no time and I make no noise when moving these things to another room to pack and go.
The actual journey today, while short, was not very enjoyable. I am obviously tired and my backpack seemd to weigh several kilos more. I could feel my feet and my legs at almost every step. The entire journey was a path on the side of the road without any shade. The only real bright moment was dawn - when the sun, very red, rose above the horizon. The rest was just a hard slog.
Because I left so early, I have arrived in Mansilla de las Mulas with over an hour to spare before I can enter my room. At least thsi hostel does have a beautiful garden to sit in, and a proper cafe, to enable me to while away the time.
Hasta la vista!
I hope you got better rest last night Fr D. It's great to see how far you've come along the journey. As far as you've got to go, hopefully you can see it that way as well: as having completed much of it already. Thank you for sharing such detailed accounts, and for all of the great photos as well! We have you in our thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDeleteFrom Cameron P