We stayed at the only Alberge in the town of El Ganso called Gabino. This is a very small town and consists only of a few streets. No sightseeing to be had in this tiny town. Aaron runs the Albergue. Our intention to stop here for the night was in anticipation of a steep climb to Rabanal del camino. We were to stay overnight in Foncebadon after Rabanal. After speaking with Aaron, we were informed that there is no good Albergue opened in Foncebadon. The one that he recommends does not open until April and we will arrive before then. This is a miscalculation on my part thinking I can break up what I anticipated to be an arduous climb into a manageable section for me.

Recalibrating my plans, I decided to head out to the city of Rabanal del Camino and staying there for the night instead. Going onto Foncebadon is not going to work and the next town after Foncebadon is too far for us. Well, Rabanal is a bigger city and it will be Good Friday. We can once again take in the procession and perhaps join the Spaniards in their version of the way of the cross. I am looking forward to this.

I have noticed houses in the rural areas adorning a big branch of leaves over their doors. Everywhere we would see this. We never noticed it before or they did not have them prior to Easter week. We asked a local and as we suspected,they only do this for Holy Week. They place Laurel leaves to celebrate and also to ward off unsavouries like bad spirits,etc. In the past, it was palm leaves, then over time, it was olive branches, now it is Laurel leaves (it is actually Bay Leaves but they call it Laurel). It is more important in rural areas than big cities due to the superstitious nature of rural town folk.

At the Gabino Albergue, Tracy and Richard were our only other pilgrims for the night. They are from New Zealand. Tracy is a flight attendant and Richard is a policeman. Nice couple. They also agreed with Marybel’s assessment of Spanish people being semi-vampires as they too had the same thought. They are fit people who walked 30-40 kms a day, no problem. I was quite embarrassed to let them know that I can only handle 15kms on average and the best one I have done is 25kms (through ignorance). People don’t judge much on the camino and respect others doing the camino their own way. I like that.

Internet signal is weak here so I will cut this short for tonight. Have a great Easter,folks!!

Peace and love
Hilda:)