Camino Day 41: Lost
Today, I had a super early start. Perhaps excitement was building towards completion of my unique Camino, give or take a day. Dare I say, I decided to join the jack rabbits this morning.
Some of my fellow peregrinos were already up, huddled in the outdoor area surrounding the church, fortifying themselves prior to walking. I thought to wait it out until better light, but there was no place to sit inside until the sun came up and I didn't want to disturb my roomie. I also discovered last night that sound traveled fairly well in these monastic cell-like rooms connected at the ceiling.
The sun had not yet risen when I commenced my walk. The usual camino shell markers and ubiquitous yellow arrows were basically non-detectable as I walked in reverse and in the dark. Needless to say while walking out of Cacabelos, I got off track.
I was lost.
I had followed a yellow arrow and then never saw another one. The sun had yet to fully peek out.
A driver pulled aside on the lonely road I was trodding, and asked if I needed help. Via his Spanish and my (not-so-great) comprehension of the language, I was able to get back on track. Key words being izquierda, segunda, fuente. Translated as take a left at the second road by the fountain. Woo Hoo!
The sunrise was fantastic as it stretched across the wide horizon and soon made me forget my morning woes.
I practically ran to Ponferrada and happily caught a 10:30 AM bus to Astorga. Kashi and I had walked this bit (Astorga to Ponferrada) already.
I had intended to stay in Astorga with its unique Gaudi cathedral, but there was a big, busy crowded market and I was overwhelmed after so many quiet, countryside nights. I chose to walk further despite adding 11 more clicks to today’s trek.
The days were becoming long enough that the sun powered the path into the evening. I passed a quaint parish hostel in a small village and decided to lay my head there for the night. Twas a lovely way to slowly wrap up this journey.
The communal dinner was served by a Romanian hostel host. Included in the group was a father-son duo from the US. I had not encountered many fellow compatriots on my journey.
I imagined this hostel more typified earlier days of the Camino, relaxed with shared dining amongst a collection of world travelers.
This featured blog entry was written by Shantitraveler from the blog Camino de Santiago.
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