Day 12 - Redicilla del Camino to Villafranca Montes de Oca

This is the start of the second half of our planned 22-day walk. We started it by changing our plan. Instead of going 18 km to Willambistia, we went 23.5 km to Villafranca Montes de Oca. But only after we have emailed the albergue to book our 4 beds. This all Gigi's idea that now we are walking efficiently, it would be a waste of walking time to only do 18 km. (Bruce Trail Babes: take note.) Villafranca Montes de Oca has two albergues. There is some uncertainty on whether the municipal albergue is closed or open. The other one, Albergue San Anton Abad is good and popular so we will not just go there and take our chances. We were lucky to grab almost the last spots and here we are. It is part of the hotel and the facilities are excellent. From outdoor area to shower to wifi.

In our last Camino, my brother asked us how we felt had way through. So I asked him this time how he is feeling about the Camino so far. While he was a bit apprehensive about his injured ankle at the beginning, his ankle is doing fine now and he is totally enjoying his Camino. The people, the variety of foods on offer (he is a picky eater but he is trying thing that he usually avoids), the adventure of the unknown, the walk, etc. We felt that he packs his bag too heavily but he is an experienced hiker in Hong Kong. Physically, there is nothing he cannot handle.  He broke his camera so that is one thing that he is not enjoying as much, which is taking pictures.

With all the nice things about this albergue, the kitchen only has a microwave, no stove top. There is an alimentacion (small grocery store) close by they don't offer meat or enough vegetables. That means going to the restaurant for pilgrim menu. To their credit, the lists of choices are long for both first and second plates and the food and the service are both excellent. So no complaint.

Going to the alimentacion is an adventure by itself. While we walk along the highway sometimes on the Camino, this narrow stretch of the road in front of the store has to be the most dangerous with trucks flying past both ways. And believe me, there is a non-stop stream of trucks both ways. Look at the pictures and see for yourself.

Trucks going

Trucks coming