April 28 Carcaboso to Caparra (Stage 16)

Roman Arch Caparra

We are in a small town outside of Caparra. We had only a 20 k walk today so we stayed for breakfast at our turist alberque in Carcaboso. There are many kinds of accommodations along the camino. Few places other then big cities have more than 1 or 2. There is the municipal albergue. These are generally less then 10 euros and only pilgrims with a pilgrim credential can stay. It is first come no reservation. The tourist albergue is open to anyone and, like the municipal albergue it is dormitory style with bunk beds. You can call ahead. The refugio and albergue run by the church are dorms or the floor with mats and they are usually donation with no set cost. They usually provide a meal. They are also first come first serve. You then have casa rural which are homes that offer bedroom and bath and they are more expensive 25+ per room often with breakfast. Then their are hostels which are small hotels 1 2 3 stars cost varies accordingly, and hotels  once again cost varies. We have paid 10-20 a person or 35-45 for a room for just two. Top of the line are Paradors which are hotels in historic buildings. They are very expensively. We all had breakfast together before setting out for Caparra. We bid adios to Michel and Domonick from France. They were off to Salamanca and then back to France. We walked following a map that Señora Ellena made us, and the footprints of our two fellow pilgrams from Italy, Nora and Alberto. We chatted with them as we walked until they sat to rest as we forged on. The pictures we took cannot capture the beauty of this path. The sound of water flowing and birds singing and lambs crying. It was serene and beautiful. At the end of our walk was the famous Roman Arch at Caparra.

Stu happy to shed his poncho

Stu at Caparra

Roman arch at a distance