July 28, 2018
After two days of long walks I had a shorter walk today. Today’s walk was from Nájera to Santo Domingo de la Calzada and was 13.93 miles.
I didn’t see many pilgrims on the trail today. It turns out many left later due to the shorter distance and cooler weather. It was a nice walk.
I did meet Frieda from Liverpool when I stopped for breakfast. Frieda started the Camino last year and picked up where she left off last year. She figures it will take her two more years to complete the walk. Her husband is not well so she takes a week to 10 days to walk.
Like me, Frieda does not speak Spanish. She explained why she was wearing her shirt inside out today. She bought a shirt in Nájera last night that was light, white, and covered her shoulders. It did have printing on the front but didn’t know what it said until her kids told her later. It said, “Kiss me, I’ll tell you why later.” We both shared a laugh, and I understand why she is wearing it inside out.
I’m not sure if I have an issue or not with my shoes. I am wearing a trail running shoe because I haven’t found a hiking shoe that did not give me painful blisters. The shoe is made by Brooks and it has a bubble in the heal that popped. I think it will be fine. My biggest concern is whether this will play games in my mind. It is hard to ignore because I can hear the air rush out when I walk. The last thing I want to do is switch shoes now.
I actually ordered my first meal from a “pilgrim menu” tonight. I enjoyed it and should make an effort to find more pilgrim menus.
While enjoying my meal with other pilgrims some performers were walking toward the Cathedral and stopped to perform several songs. It was hugely entertaining. (Note: This is the first video in this post). They are also part of tonight’s Mass. Even though I don’t understand anything I did recognize a couple of tunes and was able to sing what I knew. (Note: This video is the second video in this post.)
Overall, Day Nine of the Camino has been great.
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See additional photos from July 28th below:
Brief descriptions of the photos:
Here is a view of the trail I walked today.
Here is a view of the trail I walked today.
I believe this is the village of Azofra as seen from the trail.
Here is a view of the trail I walked today.
Here is a cut-out sculpture of a pilgrim near the village of Ciruena.
Here is a sculpture of a scallop shell near the village of Ciruena.
Here is view of part of the village of Ciruena which is close to becoming a ghost town. The buildings are victims of Spain's housing bubble and remain vacant or unfinished. But believe it or not, there is a ritzy golf club here.
Here is view of part of the village of Ciruena which is close to becoming a ghost town. The buildings are victims of Spain's housing bubble and remain vacant or unfinished. But believe it or not, there is a ritzy golf club here.
Here is a sign of a pilgrim in the village of Ciruena.
Here is a sculpture of a pilgrim in the village of Ciruena.
Here is a sculpture of a scallop shell in the village of Ciruena.
Here is a view of the Santo Domingo de la Calzada from the trail before I entered the city.
Here is a bulding in the plaza near the cathedral in Santo Domingo de la Calzada.
Here is the cathedral in Santo Domingo de la Calzada.
Here is a photo of some performers in Santo Domingo de la Calzada who stopped near the table where I was eating my evening meal. They performed later that evening after the Mass. I have included a video of them performing on the sidewalk and another video from after the Mass.
Here is the entrance to the cathedral in Santo Domingo de la Calzada.