Sunday Day 12, Belorado to San Juan de Ortega- 24 km.
This is where our laundry is hanging - great location to catch the breeze. It has been a beautiful day, though there was frost on the wooden bridge this morning. This afternoon we are sunning ourselves in the plaza in front of the monastery. There are no priests living here, and mass for the pilgrims only 3 times a week.
It was an easy 24 kms, due to an early start, and breakfast on the premises.
This is the Albergue Monasterio San Juan de Ortega (St John of the Nettles) It is slowly being restored. Another castle like albergue, and only 5€ per night.
We have met some very interesting people on this Camino.
I will use initials, (in some cases) to protect privacy.
Today our walk was fueled partly by outrage. We walked for about 2 hours with W, an American, who is a libertarian, and a conspiracy theorist. He had some interesting and outrageous ideas which we totally disagreed with, so we had friendly arguements about Obama, health care and unions, and the time passed very quickly.
Some of my photos on facebook are from Rostislav ( real name), a sweetheart of a guy from the Czech Republic. It is a real treat to walk with him.
Other photos were from David, from England, who only was here 10 days, I think. It was great to walk with him, and we miss him and his friend Eric, who we have left behind several days ago.
We met a crew of Aussie women on the first day at Orrison. 2 of them are still keeping up with us, and the other 2 had to leave because of injuries.
Debbie and Mark are 2 Americans whom we have walked with a few times. They helped me to keep up the pace in order to get to Najera and snag the last 2 beds.
We really loved the Belgian hospitaleros at Los Arcos, and the Dutch ones in the laundry in Roncesvalles.
There are many Koreans on the trail, and there is a group of young ones who often stay at the same places as we do, as their criteria is inexpensive, with a kitchen. The smells from their cooking are amazing.
I´m off to put my legs up a wall. Tomorrow we walk into Burgos, with it´s fabulous Cathedral.
Buen Camino!
