Day XIV: Boadilla del Camino -> Carrión de los Condes; 15.8mi.

🛏:Espiritu Santo Albergue; 7€.

A large group of people arrived at our albergue at the same time the two of us arrived this afternoon. After we were all checked in, we were led upstairs past several warm and well lit rooms, each named after a different country. As our host opened the door to what was supposed to be our groups (appropriately named) “España” room, it quickly became apparent there had been a mix-up. Spain was a few beds short. Our host became evidentially flustered. She led us back down the stairs to a uniquely adorable but darker, cold, back corner room named “Oceanía.” It was clearly an overflow room and one they didn’t intend to use tonight, but we thought it was hilarious. We’ve embraced it and speak fondly of our little “ocean.”

“Goodnight, don’t drown ..” we just told each other.

🎒:

Today brought Camino goodbye number two. Our plan was to travel together from our hostel to the next town (4mi. away), where we’d all grab breakfast before our friend caught his train. Wind and pelting rain nixed the “travel together” part, it was a free for all. We all showed up at the cafe one by one, dripping.

Upon deciding we wouldn’t be continuing on anytime soon, I remembered I had packed five dice and a few Yahtzee score sheets – one of the few things left in my bag that I hadn’t yet gotten use out of. And so the six of us played Yahtzee, holding onto mugs of hot tea and thinking about quitting for the day in between turns (but no one verbalized that last part).

When the game was through, everyone hesitantly bundled back up in their damp clothes prepared for the forecasted afternoon of rain, but that didn’t happen. The sun poked out and stayed as we walked away.

Forecast: Reality:

Gearing up for another group-effort hostel dinner. When in Spain ..

In an attempt to respect privacy and maintain some anonymity, I’ve refrained from including names or posting people-pictures, but here are a few of my equally important new friends to wrap things up ..

🎧:“I’ve been spending way too long checking my tongue in the mirror and bending over backwards just to try to see it clearer, but my breath fogged up the glass, so I drew a new face and I laughed. I guess what I’ve been saying is there ain’t no better reason to rid yourself of vanities and just go with the season ..” (I’m Yours)