Andy and Pablo walked into a bar...

It's no joke.
The Palacio de Los Becerra has a great Andy Warhol 'Cow' and an entire floor full of Pablo Picasso. Pablo sort of hurts my brain - was he on acid? But it was cool to see and the other art is extraordinary. I understand there are many such palaces here in Caseres. I will see as much tomorrow as possible.

VDLP 2013 - Day 8 - Caceres and Alberge Veletas

Albergue Veletas charged me 15 euros per night for a wee cell of my own. 

It's not the brightest place on the Camino 

but it is affordable, clean, and I have my own space

 and that makes me happy.

Walking out to find the tienda,

 I ran into Patsy from England and Elizabeth from Australia. 

They both are on the same Camino Santiago forum we all frequent.

They recognized me by my Macabi Skirt (which I have grown to love, by the way). 

It was like meeting old friends. 

I love that forum!

They paid 15 euro and were put into a 4-bed dorm 

which made me wonder if I had misunderstood my tariff. 

But I checked and 'todos son mismos' so all is well.

Being in old Caceres is like stepping back into a medieval town. 

A five minute walk from my Albergue and I'm lost in a time warp. 

 And to make it even better, for some reason unknown to me, 

everything (almost) is free today!

I paid a euro to see each church. 

But more on those later. 

 Here are some photos of the Albergue and of my lunch! 

 There are so many good things to eat, 

my pack keeps getting heavier and heavier! 

 Hopefully, carrying this weight will make me lighter and lighter! Lol.

The black paste is black olive pâté. 

This was 2,55 euros and it can be carried in the mochilla in cool weather. 

It's a great option for a vegetarian. 

A little goes a long way. 

It has olives, oregano, salt. 

 Pâté Aceituna Negra. Yum!

I also picked up a 3-pack of olives stuffed with sardines. 

These are tiny cans and they have pop tops. 

They are good on a sandwich. (Bocadillo)

Lastly, I needed something sweet in the mornings 

so I got these tiny packets of marmalade.

Two naranjas y una tomate and now all I need is a donkey !

VDLP 2013: Yes!

I'm really enjoying the 'Just One Thing' book. The last few days I've been able to practice the following:

Get More Sleep.
Unbelievably, I have been getting iver eight hours of sleep each night. Even the snoring, farting pilgrims aren't keeping me awake. I'm not sure why. Maybe because the walking wears me out. But I think it's a combination of the walking AND the other exercises in the book, which go very far to reduce stress and bring a calm, peaceful mind.

I have also decided to try the siesta. On the past I refused, thinking if I took a nap midday, I wouldn't sleep at night. But it seems the opposite is true. A 30-45 minute nap seems to set in motion the idea that the day is coming to a close and its ok to move slower. I like it!

Take Pleasure
This is something I used to do. When you drink a cup of coffee, take pleasure in the aroma, the bitterness on your tongue, the heat as you swallow. Give yourself a neck rub. Smell the roses. Enjoy watching a child playing or pet a dog.

Say Yes.
Instead of negatives, say yes to everything. Yes, it us raining. Yes, the Albergue is full. Yes there are poor hungry people in the world. Yes my boss is a jerk. Yes, the sun will shine tomorrow. Yes, my feet hurt. Yes, the trail is beautiful. Just 'yes.'

If someone says something negative, respond with a positive. "That baby has two heads!" "Yes, and two heads are better than one!" "This Albergue has chinches!" "Yes, everything eats something!"

Say no in your mind. Then say yes. Which FEELS better? One closes you off from the world. One draws you in.

Try saying yes in different tones. A cautious yes. A confident yes. A rueful yes. A happy yes

Yes!

Ps. Someone remind me to say yes next time I complain! Yes, it is easier said than done! Lol

VDLP 2013: Aldea del Cano Albergue

There is one room with bunk beds here. Then another side room with bunks. Then a larger room with a single bed and two sets of bunks, for a total of 9 beds. There appear to be 3-4 mats available as well.

The walls do show evidence, indeed, of prior chincha (bedbug) residence, so pilgrim be aware. However, the hospitalero at Alcuescar assured me it is still too cold for the little buggers. I hope like hell he is right!!

There is a nicely stocked kitchen, a good hot shower, a washing machine (but no clothesline), and thank God, a heater!

I'm happy, at least for tonight. :)

A nice kitchen

And HEATERS to help dry the clothes!

VDLP 2013: Living on the Camino

I met a lady and her dog this morning soon after leaving Alcuescar.
She was tucked into her tent
which she had erected inside a tiny stone building along the Camino.

This afternoon, she appeared at the Albergue, dog in tow.
When I asked her how she got the dog to Spain (she is German)
she said he is a Spanish dog.
When I asked how she will get him home,
she said 'The Camino is my home!'

She has been living on the Camino for three years!
 She just travels,
making the circuit of the various Camino routes.
She is a victim of the economy
and I guess, for her, this is a viable option.

She let me take her photo.
Her name is Petra and her pooch is Mambo.
 She is very nice and a good source of information.

I have to wonder how many others claim the Camino as their home?

Meanwhile, here are some photos of the albergue:

VDLP 2013 Day 7 - Alcuescar to Aldea del Cano

The trail today was interesting. 

There were times I was walking 

through fields of wildflowers, literally. 

It is a beautiful Camino in the Spring!

If you are following Melanie's app, 

there were again some differences.

 I got to a place out of Alcuescar where the MAIN road 

curved around to the left 

and there was a small dirt path (with a flecha) off to the right (as her app states). 

She says stay on the main road. 

So I did. And guess what? 

 The road made a circular turn, 

passed a hito pointing back to a different trail toward the Camino

 and began heading back to Alcuescar. 

In fact, I met pilgrims coming toward me.

Oooookay! 

 So I turned around and followed the new path by the hito, 

which appeared to be in the correct direction.

 Soon I saw Casas ahead.

But then, 

I decided to stay on the main trail and not turn off to Casas. 

It worked out great. 

At the big highway I turned right and walked about 1/4 mile to the trailhead,

 missing the climb into and out of Casas.

I arrived in Aldea before noon

 and was surprised to find 5 of the 9 best beds 

being saved by a Spanish pilgrim who had bussed here early this morning.

 SAVED!

A few folks who had planned on staying moved on. 

I grabbed a bed.

Then while I was in the bar, 

an official looking dude came in 

to discuss booking the Albergue for workers on the rail and road.

 I understand the are already booking beds up ahead. 

That sucks. 

Several walkers from the forum are having trouble up ahead.

So I'm thinking I may stop at Caceres this year and bus to Pamplona. 

Maybe I will just do the VDLP in stages; 

a little section each year. 

But we will see. 

I tend to change direction with the wind.

I do know I don't have the stamina nor the will to race for beds. 

I'm here to walk. 

 I will decide after the rain stops

VDLP 2013: Alcuescar Albergue

They used to serve poor children here.

Beautiful entrance to the Albergue.

The Chapel

VDLP 2013 - Day 6 - Alucin to Alcuescar

I began about 6 am, just in time to watch the sun rising in the Park. 

A "red sky at morning, sailor's warning' 

which turned out to be right ! 

I had to wear my Altus rain poncho about half way here 

and at this moment, 

I'm snug in my bed for an afternoon map while it thunders and pours rain outside.

A couple of Italian pilgrims

A beautiful cork tree

Wild Lavender

I'm so happy I didn't bus this section.

The walk through the Natural Park was mostly on gently rising dirt path. 

Occasionally, there would be rocky path 

but for the most part it was smooth and flat.

Well , it was almost flat. 

The hills sort of snuck up on you. 

I was walking along and suddenly I thought, "Dang! This pack is HEAVY!" 

 Then I realized it was because I was gradually climbing.

For the most part, Melanie's app was good. 

But there were a few differences. 

For one thing, as you near Alcuescar, you will notice signs with yellow arrows. 

One direction says "H" for hostel and the other says "A" for Albergue. 

This is the Albergue run at the monastery do if you want to stay there, you go left.

After a while you go off the gravel road onto a pavement.
This is where Melanie's app is wrong.
She says the road splits and you go RIGHT to the Albergue.
This is incorrect.
The dirt path to the Albergue splits off to the LEFT.
 If you take the right path,
I think you'll end up high in the village.
The left path is much more direct.

The Albergue does not open until noon
 and there are plenty of beds,
so stay for breakfast in Aljucen
unless you are starting early to beat the heat.

This Albergue closes between 2:30 and 4:30 for rest.
Mass is at 6:30 and dinner at 7:30.
The Albergue is donativo.
There is a place to charge your mobile,
but I haven't found wi-fi yet.

That's about it. 

I walked this 22 kilometer stage in about 5 hours. 

I took my time, stopping for breakfast and a foot-rubbing break.

Tomorrow if it is not storming
I will walk to Aldea de Cano. 

If it is raining I will bus to Caceres 

because Aldea doesn't have hot water and I don't want to get chilled 

with no way to warm up.