Day 10

Usually my walking day goes like this: start out alone and randomly meet some people who feel like chatting. Then we end up at a rest stop or cafe and some linger and some don’t. Repeat this for 18 miles. The group you started with might be completely different than the one you end with, or you might feel like hustling or some alone time and have a few stretches by yourself. Both are nice in their own way. Usually I aim for a mix of alone time and chat time. I cannot chat all day. Especially going up hill :)

Today I walked in the morning mostly near my favorite pack of friendly Japanese pilgrims. Since we don’t have much common language, we just smile and wave to each other a lot. So I had a lot of time to listen to my Spain “homework” audio books today. I am now almost 7 hours into the biography of Isabella of Castile. Queen Isabella. As in Isabella and Ferdinand, those folks who financed Columbus and his 1492 adventure. I am not even 1/4 into this book and so far her mother is insane, step brother is out to get her, brother was poisoned, and her father-in-law is trying to steal her kingdom. Also she’s only like 20 at this point.

More updates to come on this fascinating soap opera!