Cantiga: Martha's Blog

There is a steep climb out of Castrojeriz to the top of a mesa then a stretch along Roman road. Once again a bumpy experience but considering that the road crew hasn't shown up for over 2 thousand years the road is in pretty good shape.

This mesa is not as big  as the one before Hontanas and sooner than I expected there was the steep path down. Now the road goes through a flat and treeless landscape and the heat is an issue.Stopped in the town of Boadilla about three worried about the harp and the harpist.

The albergue was an oasis with a swimming pool and a green and shady garden full of art.Ran into a number of pilgrims I knew who also stopped because of the heat.Without intending to I ended up playing for my supper.After a shower and a dip I felt inspired to play in the garden and the owner,who is a musician with a degree in flute,refused my money for a meal.

So, the next day the trip to Fromista was a snap. I arrived by ten in the morning and sat in a cafe watching the pilgrim parade until the albergue opened. As I was checking in a woman from San Francisco made a fuss over me and said she had been hoping to catch up with me and hear me. This impressed the lady checking us in and I had to give a time for my concert!

I then went to San Martin a famous 12th c. church. It is beautiful but no longer a church and though lovingly restored is rather souless.

Playing for the pilgrims at the albergue became a much better idea. I did a twenty minute presentation and I am getting better at my Spanish then English explanation of the cantigas and their connection to the Camino. It is a treat to share this with the Spanish many of whom have heard of Alfonso from school but know nothing of the cantigas. When I tell them that a least thirty of the cantigas tell of miracles that happened to pilgrims on the camino it really hits home. More friends made and the next day was an easy walk to Villasirga.