Camino de Santiago, Day 37: Ponferrada to Villafranca del Bierzo

The one-day depression has lifted.  I think it may have been exhaustion.  My website has been repaired.  My feet are mostly healed again.  I’m grateful for all of this.

The walk was quite spectacular all the way today; loaded with vineyards, wild pink and ivory roses that offered their fragrance in waves of sweetness and ripe cherries still on the trees and being peddled by elderly locals.  I overheard several pilgrims complaining of stomach pain due to cherry consumption.  It’s hard to pass up a pound of red, organic cherries for one euro.  Especially when it’s so hot.

We met Paul, a dreadlocked older Englishman from Perth, Australia.  Small talk for now but he seems like an interesting character.

The Camino ran through many small villages.  These were more lively than the ruined, decaying and dying towns that have become the norm.  The effect of the poor Spanish economy and the exodus of younger people to the cities shows itself clearly in Northern Spain.  There are more homes in ruin than in shape.  Ancient homes are left to crumble.

We arrived in Villafranca del Bierzo by 2 pm and checked into the municipal alburgue.   It’s a stunning little village with no less than four massive churches, cobblestone streets and a lovely plaza where we enjoyed mushroom pizza.  I was intrigued by the second menu item, but too hungry to experiment.  I still wonder though…

I was troubled by the second item on the menu.

We walked 22.5 kilometers or 14 miles.

Photos of the Day: