Frómista

For having led them through the middle of a thunderstorm less than 24 hours ago, my fellow pilgrims remain surprisingly trusting. No deserters overnight and only a few rumblings of mutiny in the ranks, mostly from the grizzled veteran of the crew.

Their reward? A quick 500 foot climb right on the edge of town to get the blood flowing. Things don’t get a whole lot better from there, as by 10am the sun is already beating down with the temperature headed for the high 90s.

Three miles out from our destination Efe Bomba has hit her wall and is threatening the lie down in the street and go no further. However, drawing from reserves she didn’t even know she had, she finds the strength to press on. The town of Boadillo del Camino imortalized this moment in a sculpture.

Just over an hour later, we are comfortably ensconced in our air conditioned room, venturing out only for a delicious dinner where pretty much every other pilgrim we say today seems to have gathered.