April 22, 2025, Calzadilla de los Hermanillos
- joevellutini
- Apr 22
- 3 min read
Today was the day that my walk turned into a solo journey. Malcolm and I had breakfast at our Hostel, then we started out. My total was 14km, so for the first 6km Malcolm carried my pack like my Sherpa. The town we stayed in last night was not a natural stop for many pilgrims so by the time we left there were few people to be seen.
The Camino split into 2 different paths today. I chose to walk the primary path per my book, it turned out to actually be the alternative for most people, and after a little research it was one of the green routes. When we were outside of Calzadilla del Coto it got a little confusing as to which way to go, but we were able to navigate to the correct way. Coto was like a ghost town, we noticed 2 backpacks outside a little shop, Malcolm wanted some water so we went in. It was a husband and wife in a little grocery store that was about 200 square feet. I got the water and a chocolate bar for myself later on. For sandwiches there was a meat slicer next to the cash register, the owner needed to fold down the slicer guide so I could get by. I was tempted to get a sandwich for later, but held off. The couple was so nice, neither spoke English, but she was able to communicate that I had picked a Spanish chocolate bar that was her favorite.
Eventually we were on the far side of the little town. Malcolm and I parted ways and he headed back to Sahagun to catch his train this afternoon.
In front of me were the two young guys at the little store, they walked faster then me, so I lost sight of them. For the next 8km I never saw another person, it felt like I was lost, but from time to time I would see a Camino marker and I would confirm with my Camino app that I was still on the road that was originally a Roman roman road. It was very beautiful and so quiet, just me and the coco birds.
I did these videos so you could hear the birds and the ground beneath my feet.
I eventually got a glimpse of my goal before it fell below the horizon again. I was walking into town with no reservation for lodging. I stopped at the first hotel at about 12:30 to inquire about a single room. They were busy getting ready, but the nice lady made it understandable that they had a room and they could provide dinner too. It was a great find. I was required to leave my trecking poles and dirty shoes at the bottom of the stairs before going to my room.
I got into the normal pilgrim routine, I washed my clothes and took a shower.
While washing I met two ladies from London, they have been walking on the Camino twice a year since 2009. After hanging my clothes I left to shower, when I returned they told me that I had actually gone into the neighbor’s yard and hung my clothes on their rack. They were very nice to move their rack to the correct yard before closing their gate.
I tried to walk around town, but since it was almost 2:00, most everything was closed, I headed back to the hotel for a beer on the front porch, first one came with chips the second beer comes with chicharrones.
As I sat here working on this posting I realized from markings in my guide book from 2 years ago I had a reservation at the hotel before I had to cancel my Camino. I feel this is a good sign.
