Day 18
Terradillos – Calzadilla
26.7 km / 16.6 miles
After the previous night, sleeping on a mat on the kitchen floor, I wanted to be sure I had a place to sleep tonight. I walk with Emilie again and together we walk the entire day with little stops. Each day is beginning to feel the same; endless fields along straight dusty roads. Most of the way today is flat, featureless landscapes, with little or no shade. Mostly gravel paths, which overlay the old paved Roman road.
Roman Roads Terradillos to Calzadilla
During this section of the camino, they say we are walking on an old Roman Road. The construction of Roman roads were smart. They were super straight and evenly sloped for maximum efficiency. Mostly used for military. Some stretches of the original Roman road still intact after 2,000 years of use. It is estimated that 100,000 tons of rock was needed to raise the surface of the road above the winter flood levels. Every ton had to be transported from elsewhere.
Historic Roman Bridge in Puente Canto
Our Lady of the Bridge Ermita Virgen del Puente XIIth with Romanesque foundations
Tiny Mudejar-style chapel
Half way through todays hike, there is a fork in the way. We have an option to take the more popular original Camino Frances way or optional Via Romana, which adds on an additional 3k. We opt to take the less popular route to avoid a crowd and a possible full Albergue again. The entire way is wide earth tracks across remote bush country with no places to stop. Having enough food and water is important during this time.
Alternative Route to Calzadilla De Los Hermanillos
Wide Open Fields with Little Shade
We are the first to arrive into Calzadilla. We stay at Calzadilla muni which is dontation based Albergue. The place is more rustic with a shared kitchen. Others begin to arrive. The crew from yesterday: Malou from Denmark ( I think), Amelie from Spain, Phil from Colorado, an Irish guy and an American guy. Malou had been carrying lentils that she bought for days now. This made me laugh because I can’t imagine the added weight. Every day I contemplate what I can get rid of to cut some of the weight lol. We decide to buy some fresh produce and make her lentils for dinner.
Cooking Dinner at the Small Muni Calzadilla
We offer our leftovers to others who are staying in the Albergue. Us and 1 other group are the only ways staying in Calzadilla tonight. It is almost erie how remote we are from all other pilgrims. There are around 100 or so pilgrims walking the same route each day, so to only see around 8 people, feels so small. We enjoy some drinks and laughs together before bed.
