Camino Day 21 August 12 Villafranca to Atapuerco 11.5 miles total to date 189.6

Camino Day 21 August 12 Villafranca to Atapuerco 11.5 miles total to date 189.6
Well I meant to stop at 7.5 miles in San Juan de Ortega (which is Saint John of Thistle,) but I picked up some speed today and when I got there it was only 11 am, the only Albergue didn't open until 1pm and I didn't feel like sitting around for to hours. I ended up in Atapuerco, the former home apparently of the world's oldest man. At least this is where they found his remains. John and I stopped hear and saw his remains when we were in Spain six years ago. At that time they had the whole display in an little old building. Now there is a big fancy building with tour buses coming through.

Last night I watched Spain beat Korea in the women's handball. Man that game is brutal. It's like a mix of soccer, basketball and American football. Then I saw the doctor who told me my blister was healed but the skin was very thin. He wrapped it in a ace like bandage which cost me 1€. His services were free. Then I had a yummy dinner and went to bed.

I got up this morning, got ready, ate a peach (no yogurt because the Albergue didn't have a fridge,) and went out the door. The people with the kids were still there when I left. The first step was the beginning of a killer climb to the top of the mountain and the a steep descent. The people with the stroller passed me! The woman was pushing it. I asked if she pushed up the hill she said yes and he said, but the kids had to walk. These people are amazing. Actually I found out later, she is amazing. He has only been on the Camino for a few days and tomorrow is his last day. I have no idea what their relationship is, maybe brother sister. She is not only pushing the stroller with two kids in it (ages 4 and 6), she is carrying all the clothes and stuff for the three of them. She's also carrying food for snacks and lunch and water. My God, I'm impressed. When I get to the Albergue it's all I can do to shower, wash my clothes and go to the restaurant. She has to shower herself and the kids, wash all their clothes (we're not talking about throwing them in a washer, we're talking hand wash and hang on the line to dry. She also goes to the market, buys groceries, cooks the dinner, and does the dishes (again, no dishwasher.) I'm exhausted just writing about it. She and the kids are in the same room at the Albergue that I'm in, so I've gotten to know her a little. The kids are really good.

Also in my room is the second American I've met. The first was one of the people I got lost with who was from Texas, but now lives in Barcelona. The gal I met today is from Pennsylvania but lives in Leon, Spain. Her name is Kaitland and she's teaching English in a school in Leon. Her major in college was Spanish history and culture so we chatted long time about Spain. Kaitland and I went to watch the last quarter of the Spain vs US basketball game. I was disappointed that Spain lost.

We came back to the Albergue and sat around chatting with a guy from Ireland and a gal from Hungary who thought she was speaking English with an American accent. We all assured her she was not.

Well tomorrow I'm off to Burgos. I think I'm finally settling into this thing. I'm enjoying myself, enjoying, the people, enjoying the walking, enjoying the random acts of kindness that surround the Camino, and enjoying the varied landscapes, trees, flowers, sunrises etc. Today we were in the mountains. It was almost cold. And yesterday it had been blistering hot.

Well it is time to think about sleep. Please write, tell me what you are doing, what good or not so good things that are happening. Or he'll, what you ate for breakfast. Anything. I miss all of you and love to hear from you. If you don't want to write on fb wall private message or email me at nancy7484@gmail.com. Nitey nite