Ain’t gonna lie. Today sucked. 22 mph headwinds, with gust up to 40 mph. Wind chill in the 30’s. 15 miles. I was not in a happy mood when we arrived. My nose ran all day on top of all that. Oh, and good old google maps had my accommodation address off by a whole block.
Bruce and Bill are in a hostel about a half a block from me, and this place seems to be like one of those old fashioned boarding houses. Or an old apartment with 4 bedrooms that they rent out. 2 shared bathrooms, a kitchen, and living room. Once again, I’m the only one here. It allowed me to do some laundry, once I figured out how to use the washing machine. Making sure the door is closed all the way is a BIG help. 🧐
While my clothes were washing, we went to one of the dozens of churches here to get our half-way certificate. It’s the only church that hands one out. Half way. Whew. It’s getting easier. Our feet don’t hurt as much anymore, but we are still tired when we arrive.
The church La Santuaria de la Peregrina, which was a Franciscan convent in 1257, is more of a museum than a church anymore. It’s known for the it’s sculpture of the Virgin dressed as a pilgrim. One interesting fact, that surprised me, is that women also did the Camino throughout history, usually, in the company of family members, but now, more women than men do the Camino.
The museum, at this time, has an exhibition of all the musicians and entertainers along the Camino during the Middle Ages. There was one amazing room that had Moorish decorations in it.
After we picked up our certificate. I went back to the apartment to hang my clothes, but the washing machine didn’t spin out the water very well. Luckily, there is a laundromat a half a block away, so I went down the street and put everything in the dryer for 25 minutes. Then I went to the grocery store to get some food. The restaurants in the area didn’t open until 8:30, and I didn’t want to wait that late.
Tomorrow is more of the same, however the wind will be a bit less and it’s supposed to be a bit warmer. Can’t wait. 😩
Here is the translation of the certificate. Thanks, Steph.
Know all of you this pilgrim letter and see how Allison Wood has passed through the leonesas lands of Sahagun, the Geographical Center of the Camino de Santiago Frances and as it says in the “Codez Calirtinus”…lavish all kinds of goods where the meadow is located, in which it is said that once the gleaming antlers that the victorious warriors had driven into the ground, to the glory of the Lord who, as he testifies, has found rest for the fatigue of the body and relief for the souls. We, the inhabitants of this noble town, encourage you to continue on your way and arrive with good progress at Señor Santiago’s house, where we hope you will have a memory of those who have welcomed you. And for the record and can be exhibited before whoever demands it, I sign present in Sahagun on October 2, the year of the lord of 2020. The Countess Paula Conde Huerta.
2 Oct 2020 ~ 36,437 steps ~ 15.5 miles ~ 42º F ⛅️
