Camino Via de la Plata, VdlP: April 17 Almaden to Monestatio (Stage 4)

We were up at 6. We had a good night sleep in our albergue. I have found the greatest cure for insomnia is a 4 or 5 hour walk. Today was another long walk, 37.5 k. We met up with George an Englishman and Mara a Brasilian at the beginning. We had their company all day. We arrived about 3:45. Stu was able to talk with George, and I with Mara. Finally, I have found a person that understands my Spanish sprinkled with Portuguese. She has lived in Spain for 4 years caring for an old woman whose husband died. Naturally she was well prepared to care for Stu and I helping with our packs everytime we stopped and checking for things we leave by the way side. We are staying in the Hotel Pilar. The municiple albergue was closed. They have a new private one run by the church that has 12 beds. There are many pilgrims and we were anxious that all would be full because we had such a long walk. We called and reserved rooms. The hotel is 20 euros a person. A beautiful hotel each with a bath and shower. What a pleasure. In town is an interpretation center near the church. It has info on the albergues in Extremadura as well as the castles. There is a movie and pictures and Internet. Monestatio is the beginning of the part of Spain called Extremadura. it goes all the way to Banos de Montemayor. The hotel has a cafe and we had the Pilgrims meal. We had a wonderful bean soup and fish and wine and flan. This was 8 euros. There is also a big supermarket. The Camino was beautiful with sheep and goats and pigs and cattle. It was well marked.

Joan

We feel like camino impresarios. Without George, the black Knight, he only has a black outfit to walk in, Joan nor I were planning to charge forward following our knight elect. Fortunately for Joan we had met a lovely Brazilian lady, Mara, who joined us. The team was formed. The town of Jara was 16.6 k ahead. By starting at 6:20, we would arrive at Jara 9:20. To early to call it a day. George, a massive bulk work of a man with leather walkers, suggested. we advance to Monesterio, a mere 20.7k. Gently George assuaged our doubt promising us we would stop for appropriate food and rest. He immediately took us to a bar and ordered us strong coffe. Joan had her cup of hot water and a caffeine. We were committed to a most challenging day. Monesterio is located at the top of a seemingly endless hill. Knowing we would arrive late in the afternoon, we called ahead for room reservations and are now tucked in bed writing to you all. Joan will post her own interpretation of the 37.5k marathon. We don't plan to match this mark again.

Stu