How a pilgrim amuses herself while walking

Day 10 - Najera to Santo Domingo de la calzada 21 km

 Just the bare facts: A good day today, with less walking than we could manage, after 2 very long days. We slept in - some people packed up by 5 am, as I think they were worried about the crowds on the Camino, but I don´t worry. We walked from 8 am to 2 pm, and got great beds in our second choice, the Casa del Santo. It is run by volunteers: might I want to be a hospitalera here? Maybe , as the facilities are great: bright, clean, spacious, a working computer!! and chickens in the backyard.
They rotate the chickens in the cathedral and the standins are housed here. The ones in the cathedral celebrate the local legend involving a young German pilgrim and an inkeeper´s daughter, and a miraculous intervention by St James that saved the pilgrim´s life after he had been strung up on the gallows. We hope to see the shrine later. I hope they don´t wake us too early tomorrow.

 So what do I think about during all that walking?
 I check out the wildflowers.
 I adjust my gear. Today there was often a fine mist, so the backpack cover went on and the rain jacket was off and on ( and off and on).
 I talked to a Spanish woman named Carmen. She called me a Camino sister after she saw my necklace and earrings of scallop shells, as I was the first person she had seen wearing them.
We talked to a guy from somewhere in Africa!! who had to walk 41 km yesterday to get a bed.
Wendy and I shared stories: I talked about the fun I had in the 80´s, answering personal ads.
We had cafe con leche with Rostislav, from the Czech republic. When we asked him to join us, he said ¨with pleasure - such a gentleman. I posted his picture of the coffee on facebook.
 I wondered if I could have something other than fish for supper. Sardines for lunch and great grilled trout last night, but time for a change.
I count my steps - especially during climbs. One hill went on for about a km today.
I challenge myself to see how long it will take to walk from one km signpost to the other.
 Today we passed the 200 km milestone from ST Jean PdP.
I think of songs to sing to match the circumstances. eg Long and winding road, Let the sun shine in, This is the day.
 I left Wendy after lunch, and kept up a good pace in order to get a bed. Our second choice came though.

Still can´t post pictures, but this is the website for Santo Domingo
 http://lugaresconhistoria.com/2011/03/14/santo-domingo-de-la-calzada/
 Buen Camino and blessings
Darlene