Day 11 - Azofra to Santo Domingo de la Calzada
Distance walked today: 15.3 km (9.6 miles)
Total distance walked: 166.2 km (103.9 miles)
Total distance left: 562.1 km (351.3 miles)
Information on the stage traveled here.
Today Adal finished the ninth stage, which he had started yesterday. He reached Santo Domingo de la Calzada, which is a larger town. It was only about 15 - 18 km, and he finished with no problem. His little toe on the right foot is starting to bother him, and I think he is nervous about being slowed down if it gets worse.
He is at a nice hostel, run by nuns who are the nicest and provide a place to stay for free. They treat the travellers very well. All they request is a five euro donation. Last night, the hostel he was at was "luxurious" by path standards: only two per room! He lodged with a somewhat snobby German guy, and as he was waking from a nap, he saw the German walking out with his bed. Maybe the snoring bothered him? When he walked out, the bed was nowhere to be found, so he must've moved it to another room. So lucky him he got a room all by himself.
He ran into the Canarian forensic doctor, who in his ambition to follow the lycra-clad hotties, walked 40 km! Ah, what some men will do for a woman. Well, too ambitious, because he ended up with a tendonitis that grounded him for today. So they made a hot lunch of rice and tuna and pepper chicken.
And now I will share with you a dark secret of the path. There's a special something walkers on the path use to protect their feet. Now, you may not be initiated in the ways of the path, but I will share. Pantyliners. Yep, most walkers put pantyliners in their shoes instead of insoles, or they use them around their feet. The thin kind. Makes sense, they are extremely absorbent, hygienic, and stay put. So I'm laughing a bit to myself as I imagine Adal putting pantyliners in his shoes to protect his little toe. And laughing a bit about imagining him going to the local pharmacy to purchase them. Ah, if I only had a photo!
Starting tomorrow, he will try to complete the main stages fully. Tomorrow he expects to finish the tenth stage, from Santo Domingo to Belorado, which is 22 km of mostly flat terrain. Luckily the next few days are pretty level, which makes for easier walking. He's been taking Motrin several times a day, but I advised him to make sure not to exceed 800 mg a day, the maximum safe dose. The Motrin keeps the swelling down, pains at bay, and he's been counting on it to keep the tendonitis away. Apparently tendonitis is common among the walkers and can ground you until it eases.
I'm very proud of him. The telecommuting has been working well, when N is mostly calm and keeping herself entertained. She wants to talk to me constantly, and it's hard to ignore her when she just wants my attention. I have to step away for a few minutes to get her food, several times. Just today for dinner she had french toast, 2 hard-boiled eggs, half an apple, and an ice cream sandwich. She is definitely on a growth spurt! She was proud of the sticker she had on her dress today, "for being an excellent reader."
Another day accomplished! And several steps closer to Santiago...
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