My day starts off slowly as I'm in no hurry to leave the hotel. I pack my things and head down for breakfast. When I walk in I see Jane and Charlotte from Sheffield, England. It is so good to see them! We sit together while they catch me up on all their news. Sadly, Charlotte has been dealing with something that sounds exactly like Cheri's painful, swollen shin. She jokes a bit about how awful it's been to be forced to endure multiple rest days at the Parador. They aren't sure how much longer they'll stay, but we exchange contact info, take a photo, and say goodbye.
On my way out I see Cheri as well. She's not sure what her plans are other than rest for a few days, she says her leg seems to be much better already.
I head downstairs to take photos and chat with the concierge before I leave. At the heavy discussion last night, someone who planned to take the bus out of Leon mentioned one of the reasons to be for safety. Now, this was not something that had entered my mind, and other than a creepy fellow pilgrim that I steered clear of, I haven't had any concern. Until now. The seed of concern had been planted in my mind by someone who was probably only trying to justify riding the bus to themselves.
I am very pleasantly surprised to find the same concierge that was on duty late last night when we returned from the concert. He chatted with us about being pilgrims, showed us his own pilgrimage pictures, showed us his autographed photo of Martin Sheen, and showed us all the clips of The Way that were shot in the hotel. He even showed us the man who delivers room service to Yost, who was roaming around behind the front desk. It was clear to see how excited he is about all of it. When he sees me walk up he is thrilled. I chat with him about my concerns of walking out of Leon on my own and he says, "No reason to worry, but we find you pilgrims to go with! But first, I take your picture here in the lobby." Then he wanted me to have a photo of us together but there was no one around so we attempted a selfie...it's awful. He then escorted me outside of the massive hotel and stood there, as if he had nothing better to do, until two pilgrims came along. They were Spanish men, perfect! He assigned them to be my official escorts until we were to some certain point, which he clarified with them numerous times. Then he hugged and kissed me as if I were his little sister and stood there in front of the Parador watching us walk away. I'm sending him something really good when I get back to the states! What a guy!
Away I went with, not one but, two male escorts. While we didn't speak much, their presence alone made me feel so much better. I walked with them for 8.5k and then said thank you's and goodbyes. They were very sweet telling me that I could carry on along with them the rest of the day, but I was ready to walk alone. I'm not sure what they had been told by the concierge, but they seemed genuinely surprised and worried that I was leaving their care. We had seen no other pilgrims along our way, apparently many had decided to take the bus.
As, I walk away from my escorts I realize how silly it was for me to get scared, but it is what it is, and it all worked out. I am very happy to walk alone the rest of the day. Cruz de Ferro is only a short distance from here, 3 days away, and I've got Camino work to do. I make a vow to myself that from now until Cruz de Ferro, I will walk alone and get my thoughts and prayers focused.
For centuries, pilgrims have carried stones which represent their burdens, and more recently their prayers, from wherever they begin and then they deposit the stones at Cruz de Ferro. The pilgrims can then enter Santiago burden free, with a clear heart and mind.
I have several stones that I am carrying for myself, my family, and a few other loved ones who have had significant events in their lives and have been in my thoughts & prayers.
The rest of my day is focused on Camino work, and before I know it, I have walked the 23k to Mazarife. I stop at the first albergue with laundry facilities and get settled.
I have two roommates, both have just begun walking from Leon. They are new, they are nervous, and full of questions for me. Most of the answers I have, however, are not what they are expecting. I can tell this from their expressions.
We're an interesting mix. Adorable twenty something Italian, Nicoli, 60 something Polish, Zyta, and 42 year old American me. I lay in bed unable to sleep and pass the time trying to think of one single product that I could market to a demographic this varied...only the Camino, or items needed while on the Camino...I finally settle on toothpaste, assuming Zyta doesn't have dentures. For in any other realm of life, we would never have cause to be thrown together so randomly.
Zyta is very worried about what everyone is doing and why, it seems as if she's afraid she might miss something really good. At first it's somewhat tolerable but after two hours of constant questioning and difficult communication with language barriers, Nicoli and I are just plain annoyed by her.
The first amusing thing that happens is that Zyta, being the one whose bed is located closest to the single power outlet in the room, naturally assumes that she owns it. It is her first day on the Camino, how cute is this...
Nicoli and I both give each other looks that say, "we can totally take her if it comes to that" Eventually we work it out agreeing to "take turns" and Zyta is somewhat satisfied to know that she gets the first turn with her power outlet. She says several times, "Because it is my bed" Her meaning, that it's in such close proximity to her bed that it must, therefore, be hers.
Next, while fully clothed, boot clad and all, Nicoli decided to lay down in his bed. Zyta jumps up and lets out a scream as if she's seen a rodent or something. She points to his boots and has a horrible expression on her face. Clearly this isn't something that's done in Poland. When he doesn't move quickly enough she begins to say an awful lot in Polish that is very loud and very fast. Poor Nicoli just gets up and walks outside.
Later, after Zyta has had time to calm down, we are all in bed and she asks what time we will wake to begin walking. I say that I will wake at 630 and walk at 7. Nicoli says he's not sure but he wants to start early. She gives him the face that either means she isn't happy with this answer, or she needs more fiber.
We all start to drift off. At roughly midnight, Nicoli thinks of something he needs to take care of. He hops up and whispers, "Can I turn on the light?" I wake just enough to reply, "yes" He is fully clothed (but without boots this time) and begins to rummage around in his pack. Eventually, Zyta stirs a bit and upon seeing him sits up and says loudly in total shock and disbelief, "You go now?"
And Nicoli says back to her with a completely straight face, "Yes, I go now...and I beat you" He holds it together for a few seconds and then just falls apart laughing....which also makes me start laughing. Zyta, who was sound asleep is really not amused, the poor woman.
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