Day 10 - Santo Domingo to Belorado

After finishing up the last blog, I joined a group a few tables over with Eddie, Zeanna, Renae and several others.  We ended up having at least three rounds.  Just to get some culture, the four of us went to check out the church tower and catherdral (pilgrim special for 5€).  The tower had quite a view and the catherdral was impressive for a small town.

I just noticed that Jesus in the photo above is stepping baby heads!

For dinner I had a very nice steak and a huge salad.  It was pretty nice.

I was a little slower next morning after all the beer and wine, but the grey day stayed dry and the sun even came out late in the afternoon.   I walked easy to the first 5km town and I was dying for a good coffee.  Coming into the town there was a food truck with a nice setup and a large group of pilgrims having breakfast.  I got a coffee and chocolate crossiant and joined the large Irish table.  The coffee was disapointing but at least coffee.  I met Marta from Poland just out of town and we walked and talked until my feet could not keep up without blistering.  The Irish crew, Mark, Tom, Kira, Sarah, and English Anthony blew past. 

I was mostly just walking today looking forward to finishing.  The scenery was nice enough on one side but the other had a loud freeway.  The day was grey.  The towns didn't have much in them other than water fountains.  One had a little donitivo cafe where you get stuff and leave a donation.  I had another disspointing coffee and left 2E.

I met Kimberly from Washington state and we walked and had a chat.  I have been kind of avoiding American because I already know lots.

Finally, after walking beside a busy road for 3 or 4km I came to my hostal.  I checked in, changed my shirt and shoes and headed into the actual town a few hundred meters further down the road.  Shower and clothes washing could wait; I was hungry. 

In town I first heard, then around the corner came the Irish crew and Marta.  They said the best looking place is the one I just walked past and we all went in and had the pilgrim meal for 12.50€.  It was good and as we finished Kimberly joined.  The group moved outside and the real party was about to start.  After last night I took my cue and headed off for a shower.  The hostal here has a restaurant and I think I will do the smart thing and eat here and have a quiet night.

I booked ahead in Burgos in two nights and I think I got a pretty nice place quite cheap.  Coming to the bar to write this I saw Mike from Atlanta.  We are in the same place for the third night in a row.

Tomorrow is a 27km day so I want an early start.  Planning another meal and then a quiet night with my phone.