As we left the hotel with our bikes, Mike realised he had left his helmet and gloves inside as the door slammed shut behind us. We were the only guests with no staff on site. I found a street sweeper originally from Malagascar who knew the neighbour who knew the owners, who said he would arrange the key for us. Mike says, “ok cool all is sorted, then he would go and have a coffee”. Luckily for him, the climb out of the town is at least 800 meters and I had time to blow off steam. The views were amazing as we climbed out of the town and all was forgiven.
The cycle that day was probably my favourite. Trees, forests, gravel roads.
I was not over excited about having to stay in the one horse town of Fuenterroble, but the next stop was 28 kilometers on and our legs, let us know that it was not possible.
So as per usual: bar, beer, food. The only accommodation option open was an Auberge, ran by some famous priest. The guy who met us on arrival took pity on me and gave us a private room and en-suite. Wow, what a luxury, I guess it was the fact that he does not see many girls on the Via De La Plata.
I met a 79 year old Italian man while sitting outside and it was love at first site. Him and I started chatting in Italian (bless him, the poor man’s ears with my terrible Italian) but we laughed so much. He told me about walking five caminos and that his walking partner (who was sleeping) is 80 years old! Oh my goodness, I want to be him when I am old.
We had the luxury of being able to go to a tiny place that passed as a shop. We bought salad stuff, Cava and red wine. Sharing is caring. I shared the Cava with everyone but we had just enough salad to feed our host. He in turn, took us on a tour of the church. The light was perfect. He opened the church with an over-sized key and explained each column and aspect of the church, love, glory etc. He has studied spirituality for four years and arrived in the village two days ago to study the church. He is vegetarian (didn’t know that was possible in Spain) and follows a mix of Buddhism and Christianity, a kind of mysticism. I was so touched after his beautiful explanations of how you must live in the moment, not sweat the small stuff and endure the pain of the Camino. As we left the church, the last light was fading.
I excused myself and went for a walk alone in the village. I felt so thankful and enormously blessed.
