Calzadilla de Los hermanillos

JIM: Two nights ago, I bought a birthday cake for larcio and we had a birthday celebration. Dan and Deon bought the best bottle of wine in the house(Ribera ) and we had a lot of fun. Lamb for dinner was good, but expensive. 25 dollars.

  Last night again had 10 or so people at our table. At 10 euros with all the wine you can drink it is a good deal. I had lentil soup as primo, then pork loin followed by ice cream. Not bad.

  Today we got up early and walked 4 km in the dark and sunrise .then had a boiled egg with cup of coffee and a chocolate croissant. I walked with Acura, a japaneeses orthopedic surgeon for most of the day. He is from Okinawa, and has a nice family. It was fun to hear about medicine in Japan.i am sure I will be going over to see him. I also walked with a woman from Wisconsin,Liz ,who fractured her ankle last year going over the Pyrenees. She came back for more. Such power! I also helped a man from Argentina with his blisters. He looked disheveled and homeless. After a moments reflection, I realized that's what I look like. I laughed.

  Today's walk took us through the Meseta, a huge open plateau of open farmland in northern Spain. We stopped for lunch(see picture) cutting up cheese,chorizo and baguette with a nectarine. It seems in walking through these small,beautiful villages, that the people and life are very simple. The attitude of the people emanates a serious note, unlike say Italy. They are friendly,just busy. It seems that without the camino the little villages would not servive.

  We have walked with cyclist , and the bus people. One can develop an attitude. A hundred people will get off the bus and impose themselves upon the trail. The cyclists will wiz by with out warning. The bus people will walk 2 km then get back on the bus. One can develop an attitude. But, we are not exactly, suffering like the original pilgrims. Cervasa in he plaza, private rooms, good food. Soooo, pass on the judgement.its all good.

   I still have my beard.Dave and Dan have shaved theirs. They thought it made them look old. I have kept mine but remain in reconciliation of past present and future. I look old. I think that if I keep it long enough I will be reconciled.Not sure.i remember using the word maturation with my elderly patients. It seemed like a soft "old" . Not sure I like the term anymore. Too close to home. Anyway, maybe if I loosen the vanity belt a bit, I can be a little more substantial.Who knows.

  All is good

Buen Camino