Monday, April 16, 2018

Belarado to Villafranca Montes de Ocra


Hola and greetings from mostly sunny Spain. 

Someone asked me earlier this week about security of our luggage, especially since I am transporting my computer ever day.  I will tell you one of my best travel tips. This would work on a hike or a bus tour or even when your luggage is transported to/from a ship.  I use a zip tie or cable tie to secure it.  I loop it through the two main zipper attachments.  Yes I know you can buy locks but trust me, locks can be picked...quite easily if you know what you are doing. Snapped back and no one is the wiser until you realize something is missing.  Zip ties have to be cut.  That means you must have a new one with you every day.  I store them in an outside pocket of my suitcase. It also means you must have a knife or sharp scissors with you to cut the zip tie. And you have to remember not to try to board the airplane with the knife if you want to keep it. I would know immediately if someone cut the zip tie. And it is much more obvious to a casual pilferer that it would be recognized. I have done this for many years.  Unfortunately, it doesn't work when you check your luggage. It seems to make customs more curious.  So good luck and travel safely!


We were lucky enough to have dinner with our Camino friends last night.  This is David and Diane (the pastor).  They are so funny and nice. They have been dating for about four years and have houses very close together in Naples.  She is walking a portion of the Camino to pray for her brother who has leukemia..the aggressive kind.  The day after she gets back she is the other half of a stem cell transplant.  She is the donor.  So say some prayers.  Unfortunately, a couple of days ago he developed an infection and the procedure may be delayed.  He lives in Boston and she has an active ministry so it is not such a simple procedure to postpone it..


Murials seem to be quite abundant on the Camino and particularly Belarado which has a rich Roman history.  Knights played a huge part in the founding of the town.



And of course, Peregrinos play a part now.



Today was almost all up hill, not straight up be consistently up, the kind of up that makes you roll your eyes and wonder if it will ever end.  10.2 miles and 23,409 steps total distance.  The actual hike was a wee bit shorter but I walked around the town.  It isn't much of a town...population 200.  


This little "hut" was just outside Villafranca.  It looked like a mini jail but it didn't have anyone locked up. I was picturing someone chained to the wall with just bread and water but it was empty.

So adios for today.  Buen Camino wherever your journey takes you!







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