Day 26 To Rabanal del Camino

Day 26 Oct 4 Destination = Rabanal del Camino / 260 km to go

I have finally left La Meseta and it’s now on To Santiago! “A Santiago”

“ I like long walks, especially when they are taken by people who annoy me.”
– Sir Noel Coward

Well it does not appear to be that huge of an incline over 20 km I typically walk at about 2/3 my speed and will have to take more frequent rest stops to chill and catch my breath. I.still believe I can reach Santiago by Saturday the 16th which is my goal at this point and this does allow for a rest day if needed I overslept but that was probably meant to be today.“woke up got out of bed try to drag a comb across my head“ - I think that’s from a Beatles song. In my case I went into the bathroom and once again there was a guy already there- in the mirror- took one look at me and said “who dat”. To make matters worse well my eyes were still at half mast I went to the shower - footprint measured about 2 ft.² reached in and threw on the water. It was one of those with a new fangled rain shower head jobs above but I did not see the attachment that looked like a microphone next to the handle. Said microphone was on its own hose and had an array of spray jets that were facing directly at my face. Action of turning on water and not having the switch properly selected by the last person who used it shot high velocity fire hose water directly out at my chest, face, and other body parts there by flooding the bathroom. 😳. Lovely start to the day but I was officially awake like right now. — Well it does not appear to be that huge of an incline over 20 km I typically walk at about 2/3 my speed and will have to take more frequent rest stops to chill and catch my breath. I still believe I can reach Santiago by Saturday the 16th which is my goal at this point and this allows for a day off / rest day if needed
I overslept but that was probably meant to be today.
“woke up got out of bed try to drag a comb across my head“ - I think that’s from a Beatles song. In my case I went into the bathroom and once again there was a guy already there- in the mirror- took one look at me and said “who dat”. To make matters worse well my eyes were still at half mast I went to the shower - footprint measured about 2 ft.² I reached in and threw on the water. It was one of those with a new fangled rain shower head jobs above but I did not see the attachment that looked like a microphone next to the handle. Said microphone was on its own hose and had an array of spray jets that were facing directly at my face. Action of turning on water and not having the switch properly selected by the last person who used it shot high velocity fire hose water directly out at my chest, face, and other body parts thereby flooding the bathroom. 😳. Lovely start to the day and I am officially awake like right now.

The day was actually wonderful; to be out in the countryside again walking in surreal natural surroundings.

A young guy from Croatia whose name is Jakub caught up with me and asked if I would mind if he walked with me to which I obviously said ‘no problema’

We had a wonderful couple of hours together getting to know each other and each others lives. He was objective was to use the tent that he brought for the first time tonight. I told him oddly enough I have a tent footprint for the ground along with me but I chose not to bring a tent. I gave it to him along with 7 m of para-cord which I figured since he’s camping he could use. He asked what he could pay for it since it was all brand new and I said you owe me nothing. I know now why it was in my backpack! We both smiled because this is part of what we heard ‘the Camino provides’ means.

All in all it was a beautiful heartfelt and emotional day. I will not try to interpret, pontificate, or give a sermonette- I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves.

Yes, A lot of these crossed my path daily — Yes, A lot of these crossed my path

‘Ermita de Ecce Homo’ = ‘behold the man’. There were a bunch of people outside snapping pictures and selfie‘s. I went inside and was surprised and moved to see beautiful script on the right side of the altar which is actually on my stone for the Cruz de Ferro tomorrow. This little chapel is named for Pontius Pilate’s presentation of the scourged and humiliated Jesus to the gathering crowd: “ecce homo! – behold, the man!” It is a lovely rest spot with fresh water available to pilgrims. Likely holy water y Potable! — ‘Ermita de Ecce Homo’ = ‘behold the man’. There were a bunch of people outside snapping pictures and selfie‘s. No one inside. I went inside and was surprised and moved to see beautiful script on the right side of the altar which is actually on my stone for the Cruz de Ferro tomorrow. This little chapel is named for Pontius Pilate’s presentation of the scourged and humiliated Jesus to the gathering crowd: “ecce homo! – behold, the man!” It is a lovely rest spot with a fresh water fountain available to pilgrims. Likely holy water y potable!

Gotta lite a candle (for the moms, right)

Camino, Verdad, y Vida. Tu, sigueme. “Follow me” A personal favorite

Archeological yahtzee — Archeological Camino yahtzee

This is the fence of hundreds of crosses. Jakub from Croatia is up ahead, we talked for hours and had a wonderful time getting to know each other. He’s an amazing person with an amazing future -I’m biased -minor detail his degree is also in science - chemistry. — This is the somewhat famous fence of hundreds of impromptu crosses. Jakub from Croatia is up ahead, we talked for hours and had a wonderful time getting to know each other. He’s an amazing person with an amazing future -I’m biased -minor detail his degree is also in science - chemistry.

Out my window for tonight is this little gem- Monestario de San Salvador del Monte Irago.“Monks and pilgrims are, as we know, journeying not so much to a place, but to an encounter with Him who has always been waiting for us.This is what monks and pilgrims share: the search for God, our Father, in Christ, through the Holy Spirit; the spiritual ascension to the heavenly Jerusalem” (content from the Internet””)It is a place that invites you to pray with the magnificent Gregorian chant of Benedictine monks. A large number of pilgrims come to chant visperas (vespers) at 7 ( 1900 hrs)(Original) Es un lugar que te invita a la oración con el magnífico canto gregoriano de sus Monjes Benedictinos.A las vísperas acuden un gran número de Peregrinos — Out my window for tonight is this little gem- Monestario de San Salvador del Monte Irago.
“Monks and pilgrims are, as we know, **journeying** not so much to a place, but **to an encounter with Him** who has always been waiting for us. This is what monks and pilgrims share: **the search for God**, our Father, in Christ, through the Holy Spirit; the spiritual ascension to the heavenly Jerusalem (content from the Internet)” “It is a place that invites you to pray with the magnificent Gregorian chant of Benedictine monks”. A large number of pilgrims come to the chant visperas (vespers) servicio at 7
(1900 hrs)
Original sign read: “Es un lugar que te invita a la oración con el magnífico canto gregoriano de sus Monjes Benedictinos. A las vísperas acuden un gran número de Peregrinos”

Spent some time in pew one seat one stage left. (Monk chant (El Canto Gregoriano en el Camino de Santiago) played quietly in the background I had the place to myself for 30 minutes). This chapel is open 24/7. My friends also spent some time here. Katya said she prayed for the first time on Camion here.

Local hero of Rabanal - Julian Campo - Rabanal del Camino. “El renuncio a los bienes rerrenales dedicando gran parte de su vida a ayundar a los mas desconsalades como voluntario en calcutta”Sadly, he died in a tragic accident a few years ago and it’s commemorated here as a town hero.“He renounced earthly goods, dedicating a large part of his life to helping the most destitute as a volunteer in Calcutta” — Local hero of Rabanal - Julian Campo - Rabanal del Camino. “El renuncio a los bienes rerrenales dedicando gran parte de su vida a ayundar a los mas desconsalades como voluntario en calcutta”
“He renounced earthly goods, dedicating a large part of his life to helping the most destitute as a volunteer in Calcutta”
Sadly, he died in a tragic accident a few years ago and it’s commemorated here as a town hero.

I splurged private room no dormitory tonight. I have full intention of oversleeping tonight — I splurged private room no dormitory tonight (La Posada D Caspar). I have full intention of oversleeping tonight. And yes, I hit my head on the low ceiling

These are two of my three planning tools that I use for 20 minutes every afternoon either before or after a siesta to plan the next day as well as confirm my ideas for the next few days all the way to Santiago. The ‘theoretical stages’ (that most follow except me) map as well as my detailed mileage topography with all of the towns shown, map. As stated before, I am more often than not staying in towns not at the official end of a ‘stage’ - it suits my mileage of 20 km a day better as well as I find the less frequented towns more quaint, less busy, and interesting. — These are two of my three planning tools that I use for 20 minutes every afternoon either before or after a siesta to plan the next day as well as confirm my ideas for the next few days all the way to Santiago. The ‘theoretical stages’ (that most follow except me) map on top as well as my detailed mileage topography with all of the towns shown map below. As stated before, I am more often than not staying in towns not at the official end of a ‘stage’ - it suits my mileage of 20 km a day better as well as I find the less frequented towns more quaint, less busy, and interesting. I supposed I could have used the popular Camino app more but I enjoyed studying the maps daily for distances, topography, and notable points of interest listed

Traffic on the trail is beginning to pick up daily. There are many that start at different locations especially closer to Santiago . This map depicts all of the Caminos the feed into Camino Francis in the province of Castilla y Leon alone — Traffic on the trail is beginning to pick up daily. There are many that *start* at different locations especially closer to Santiago . This map depicts all of the Caminos the feed into Camino Francis in the province of Castilla y Leon alone

I am in a state of shock that I am now in a 10 day countdown to my last day of walking which includes a full rest day somewhere of my choosing. Wow. I will be very attentive to soaking up each step from here on

Monestario benedictino San Salvador del Monte Irago. Siempre abierto 24/7 por los peligrinos. — Monestario benedictino San Salvador del Monte Irago. Siempre abierto 24/7 por los peligrinos

Benedictino brother Fr Cassion Jacobs (OSB) (Deutschland) happened to be walking by and I cornered him to talk to him about his work which he described in the most passionate manner. He stamped my credential & I bought a couple of things in the gift shop and he said he is simply filling in here from Germany because they’ve had so many elderly Benedictines die from Covid! No ‘vesperas’. at 1900 h due to the pandemic — Benedictino brother Fr Cassion Jacobs (OSB) (Deutschland) happened to be walking by and I cornered him to talk to him about his work which he described in the most passionate manner. He stamped my credential & I bought a couple of things in the gift shop and he said he is simply filling in here from Germany because they’ve had so many elderly Benedictines die from Covid! No chapel ‘vesperas’ tonight at 1900 h due to the pandemic, however, quiet Gregorian chant music played in the background which made for wonderful contemplation
All in all Rabinal was a wonderful stay capped with a nice dinner with friend Diane and her friend down the hill at the ‘bar’ (La Candela) just outside of town. A random dinner time just occurred with them appearing at the same restaurant ‘out of nowhere’ !

Day 27 To El Acebo de San Miguel

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