We left Villamayor at 8:45 am. We’ve learned to stretch properly prior to starting our trek. The objective for today is to reach Torres Del Rio. The trek will be approximately 20kms today. The knee is hurting still but not as bad due to the anti-inflammitories I am taking. Going downhill is still a challenge. Thank goodness it is not hilly on this trek. On this walk, I met Jason from California who started from St.Jean. He is 31 years old, fit and he says that he is also hurting all over. It is his sixth day on the Camino. I am embarrassed to tell him that it is only my fifth day and I started from Pamplona. I told him that I am close to being an old woman and so have to operate this way….lol. He is very kind and said that I look much younger for my age of 44 years. What a sweet guy!!

Marybel reached Torres Del Rio at 1:30pm. I took my time and reached the small town at 4pm. I had many stops on the way, admiring the scenery filled with olive trees and green rolling hills. It was also a cool day with no rain.

Torres Del Rio is a town of elevated streets. They go up and down all over. Our Albergue is an old one called Casa Mari. $7 per person. Given our wonderful experience in Villamayor, this was a let down.
The beds were questionable in terms of cleanliness. The room was also quite cold. I slept in the sleeping bag on top of the bed just so I was warm. Marybel tripled up on the blankets. Here is the part I hated most of all. The toilets, shower rooms were located outside of the Albergue. I made sure I did not need to go in the middle of the night as I did not want to go to the toilet at latenight or early morning hours. I was not brave enough to venture out of the Albergue in the cold night air.

Dinner was wonderful this night at Casa LILI. Yes, a restaurant having the same spelling as my cousin’s name. I took a picture for you, Lili. we had a chuluton for the main, akin to the T-bone Steak and potatoe salad for the primero (first course). Dessert was a sweet tiramisu like cake. The wine is from the Rioja region and I did not like it much for it had a bitter afternote. However, I am told that it is famous here.

Remeber Colleen, she was having dinner at the same restaurant. She told us of a mother and two young girls, not greater than 9 years of age doing the Camino. Quite the story as they began at St Jean. The girls also started outdoor physical sports when they were toddlers. You get all types of people on the Camino. Colleen also advised us of a store keeper who advised her to take it slow for the first few days. She has seen many people who pushed themselves and getting hurt too quickly. Also in the peak season, she has seen women coming into the store with black eyes from having fallen on the path.

Yes, you definitely have to be quite careful on the Camino as you can get hurt from just missing a step and rolling on the path instead.

My Camino has changed from inner reflection to meeting people and trying out new foods. I shall attempt to get back to my walking meditation soon but for now, this is more fun.

A toast to the Camino for this leg of the journey!!