Pieros to Laportela: September 25, 2014: Day 26

Pieros to Laportela: September 25, 2014: Day 26

Angie and I are quite joyous right now.  We are alone in a room with our own bathroom.  I just took a shower with no voices directly outside shower.  We are feeling so blessed.  We had been walking for almost 7 hours today and we came to a hotel.  I told Angie I would not object to staying there.  Our feet were hurting but if course this was not anything new.  We overcame the temptation and pressed on.  Then just down the road we came upon an albergay.  The albergay is connected to a hostel/small hotel with a restaurant.  The man asked if we had reservations, looked concerned, then went back to his book, turned around and said follow me.  We were wondering what we might find.  He led us up to a room with 2 bunkbeds, and it's own bathroom!  Hallelujah! It is now 10:30 at night and we are alone, just like a hotel.  :)
The Camino does provide.

Ok, now back to the day.  We left our albergay late, around 9:00.  We were very much enjoying the hospitalier from Canada.  The morning was cool but the sun was shining.  We walked over hills and gently uphill. Beautiful mountains and vineyards surrounded us.  We came to VillaFranca, a storybook town.  Upon entering we came upon a Romanesque church.  It was built in the 11th century.  Apparently early pilgrims who were unable to make it all the way to Santiago could come this far the forgiveness or pardoning of their sins.   It is a stark but beautiful church.    We then walked further into town and came upon an even larger Romanesque church.  This one had some buttressing that looked Gothic.  Inside it was very unique with a some with the ceiling made of stones.

Upon leaving town we happened upon one of the women from Washington who had been traveling with the Boise couple.  She has a bad infection in one of her toes and is unable to walk for several days.  She is taking buses and is meeting up with the others later.  We were very glad to see each other.

Then after arriving at our albergay today we were delighted to run into our Irish friend that we first met the 3rd day of our journey.  The other Irish man she had been walking with had to return to Ireland.  However it now looks as if she has a new special German friend.  We did not get much time with her for this reason.

Well it is past time for me to get to bed.  Lights are out in the albergays at 10:00.  However since we have no roommates we can do what we want!  Such freedom!  Well it feels that way tonight, but when morning comes I may wish we had gone to bed earlier.

Lessons Learned: Continue to trust that the Camino will provide.