Day 9
Najera – Santo Domingo
21.3km/13.24 miles
The majority of the next few days will be walking through wide open fields and remote farmlands with a little bit of walking on the main road into Santo Domingo.
Today the guide books warns of little shade with little opportunity for refueling; stocking up on water and food is necessary for today’s stretch.
I have found a zone while walking. In the morning I listen to the sparrows speak over my head and wait for the sun to shine on my heels. I anticipate the warmth from the early spring morning chill. Alt-J seems to be the soundtrack of my camino. Their experimental sounds and haunting vocals pave the way to a rhythm that keeps my mind at ease.
I stop every so often and watch the grass sway in the wind. Like a river the bright green blades flow with ease. I walk mostly alone today and listen to the same songs over again that I have downloaded on my phone.
I stay at the Spanish Confraternity today. A donation only voluntary association with many beds. I prefer to stay at the place that sounds most interesting to me. This place is described in my guide book with having a garden with chicken coops. Sounds exciting enough to me.
I am invited to eat dinner with a group who cooks every night. Some albergues offer a kitchen to cook your own food if wanted. A fresh home made meal is a nice change from the usual pilgrim dinners that are offered in the local village bars. Usually consisting of the same menu: a salad, pasta or fish and desert.
I hit the bed right after dinner, the top bunk tonight. I haven’t seemed to get quite used to sleeping on the top bunk, let alone with no rails in the middle of the room. Should be an interesting night, I hope to wake up on top tomorrow morning.
I am pleasantly surprised with how most places I have stayed while in Spain have been very nice and clean. This place is very large with many floors and rooms full of bunks.