Walking Day 3 - Castrojeriz to Fromista – 23 km – 14.25 miles

This morning was a bitch.

The trail out of town led to the last of the major hills of the Meseta Alta – 1050 meters (about 3400 feet) with a 12% grade up and an 18% grade back down.  It kicked my butt.  And I made it up and over and down.  Done.  Behind me. Over.  Exhale.

A weather front moved through the Meseta last night – at a quarter to 3, I was awakened with lightning, thunder, torrential rain and huge hail.  I looked out my window to the street below to see a river of ping-pong balls illuminated in flashes of lightning.  I closed the shutters, unplugged my computer, and pulled the covers over my head.

After the hill from hell, I walked a few more miles, and realizing I had a couple of blisters brewing, I took a rest and rode in the van for 5 miles to the next town, changing shoes and doctoring my feet.  As soon as I got in the van, it started to rain sideways. 

Smart girl, yes, I’m one smart girl.

We stopped for lunch at a small restaurant connected to an albergue.  Eduardo took my order.  In his late 30s, with wild curly black hair and a charming way about him, he flirted shamelessly with all of us.  I gave him a small tip and he raved that he loves American women - so generous, so kind……I laughed to myself and thought this guy has it made with a steady stream of pilgrims coming through his town. 

As we left, I said to my companions – ‘I imagine Eduardo gets laid a lot!’  They agreed.   Jorge, our young Spanish guide asked ‘what you mean - get laid?’  I left it to grandmotherly Hazel from South Africa to explain.

The sun had come out and I decided to walk the remaining 4 miles to Fromista, and met up with Mary Jean from San Diego – we chattered the whole way about everything, and said ‘see you tomorrow’ as she headed for her albergue, and I to my hotel. 

I’m hearing live music coming from the square in front of the church, and since I’m never one to miss a party, I’m off to check it out.