Camino Day 23 – Arcahueja

Camino Day 23 – Arcahueja

It’s been a few days of the Meseta now. This was a particularly long day travel day of about 20 miles. The scenery was fairly repetitive with few pilgrims encountered along the way.  I had much time to reflect and had no problem getting in  a couple of rosaries.

The knitted tree trunk decorations have become popular of late, especially in the very small towns. Also, I’ve noticed how the cemeteries have always been set outside of town, more often than not, on the west side. I captured pictures of a more colorful, extravagant and actively used cemetery as I pulled out of town.

Along the path I again found “cows?” Just a little too close to the path again. This time fencing was down in multiple places. I grew up visiting my grandfather’s farm and cows were known to me. However, the cows then did not have horns and look like the bulls I’ve seen in a ring with a matador many years ago.  Alone, I snap a quick photo and hurry along my way.

I walked into a little town and found the albergue closed as many are at this time of year.  I passed a house built into a hill complete with smokestacks. These too are becoming common sightings.

Across the street, a small shop owner waived me over and said the bar was closed and would I like a coffee? Heck yeah! He offered to make me a sandwich too. Why not!!

So sitting on a bench just outside his shop door I sipped my coffee waiting for my sandwich. Moments later a French bicyclist named Francior stopped. He saw me drinking a coffee and thought it a good idea too. We chatted for a half hour while kittens played with our gear. I learned he was taking a few month off and biking greater Europe starting with Spain where it was warmer.

Continuing on for another couple of hours I stopped again for a coke and tapas. Somewhere along the way we went from pinchos to tapas. Still about 2.5 hours left, I needed a few more calories and a body break.

I leapfrogged some pilgrims I had seen on the trail many times.  Sometimes we refer to people by state rather than name.  Hey Minnesota, hey Texas…..

More photos of sheep and giant cranes often seen perching high on old church bell towers or today…. power line towers.

A few steps further and I have arrived to a hotel I booked knowing the last town had been overbooked in recent day.  A hot shower and a cold beer soon followed.

Reading Henri Nouwen, he speaks of conversion. He speaks of moving in a totally new direction. Yes, a complete interior transformation. This walk is part of the process. The Meseta has provided the gift of “presence” when distractions are few.

Some have asked why “wholes” for your site? More on connecting transformation to “wholes” coming soon.