Almendralejo, Torremejia, to Merida (21.62 miles)


Today I decided not to leave until around eight so I could see where I was going because I was off the Camino and wanted to double check with the hotel clerk to make sure I was going the right way.

It was about two miles back to the Camino and then about eight to the next town, Torremejia. Had I gone there last night it would have only been an extra six miles, or around two hours. As it was, it took me well over a hour and fifteen minutes to get to Almendralejo and find a hotel. Oh well, that’s the Camino decision. 

The morning temperature was pleasant and I made good time to Torremejia. Nothing out of the ordinary, and the same type scenery, olive trees and grapes. I have to admit I am ready for a little different scenery and vegetation. 

I arrived in Torremejia early enough that I stopped and had a drink and snack. I figured it would only take me less than four hours to make it to Merida. Wrong! I just got outside of town and thought I had taken the right turn at a prominent marker, but, I didn’t! I walked about a half hour and did not see any yellow arrows, which is not too unusual. But when the road narrowed down to a dirt path I did not see foot prints or bicycle tire tracks. There I stood, go back or keep going? Well, I turned around and fortunately I did. I saw a man running with his dog and asked about the Camino. Back near the city and houses. Wrong way!

I figured I lost at least a hour and possibly two miles. I was mad at the Camino, the people that post the markers, and I hated Spain! Actually, it was no ones fault but mine, and I was mad at myself. There goes my short day.

Back on the Camino and walking through the vineyards for about ten minutes and realized I hadn’t seen a marker again! Now what?! I kept going a little further and could see the road a great distance from my location, and the map shows the Camino next to the road. Oh no, I did it again! I didn’t want to walk back again, so I decided to walked across the plowed field. So there I was, dragging the Wheelie through the soft and wheel dragging dirt! I was completely soaking wet with sweat, and as I got near the road I saw it. The Camino! Back on track finally. 

After that the Camino veered away from the road and for a few miles I just decided to walk on the shoulder of the road to be sure I wouldn’t loose my way again. 

Loosing a little time not a huge thing, but facing the Camino as the temperature starts to rise is another. As I mentioned, it starts to go up around one and continues and hits a peak around four. 

The temperature had been in the low eighties but by the time I could see Merida it was 91 degrees. The last few miles into town were a struggle, mostly due to the heat. 

Once in Merida I lost sight of any yellow areas as it is a big city and there are large traffic circles and multiple wide sidewalks, sometimes starting and then splitting and going in different directions. I felt lost, like I do in most busy big cities, and just walked with a blank look on my face and mechanically along the main street and walkway along the Rio Guaduana. I had seen one yellow arrow pointing to the old Roman pedestrian bridge, and once on it, I didn’t see another. Once off the bridge I saw one arrow and then started walking all of the river. I asked a man if there was an albergue and he point to the municipal albergue fifty feet away. Lucky me again! 

Unfortunately no one was there and it was locked. I waited for almost a hour before the Spaniard, Angel, showed up. He knew where the key was hidden and let me in. That was a big relief as I found a bed and settled into my usual routine of washing my clothes and going to the store to buy groceries for tomorrow, and the of course, finding a place to eat. All in that order.

I ended up going to diner with two Canadian men and one woman from New Zealand. There names were, Ed, Ed, Edwina, and of course me, Ted! Easy for us to remember names, and I needed that with all the people I have met. I am terrible with names anyway.

They are a group of five that met on the Camino Francis two years ago and have stayed in contact. They are now doing the Plata together and have stayed together even though the all walk at different paces. Ed, Ed and Edwina, want to stay in the basic albergues to have that true Camino experience, while the other two like yo luxury of hotels. It like the hotels too, but a tough call to find. 

Tomorrow is suppose to be a long day, about 23 miles. There are two albergues in the middle in a small town and I will plan my day as it goes. The distance is not as much as the challenge will be the temperature, so I’ll wait and see how it goes?

Best wishes,

Ted

Back on the Camino and through the vineyards

One of the Camino markers. Which way do you go? Left or right? Out in the middle of nowhere can cost you hours if you make the wrong turn!

Merida looks looks but it’s a long way 

Approaching bridges into Merida 

Ol Roman bridge now for pedestrians 

Suspension bridge for cars in the distance

The municiple albergue that use to be the flour mile on the river

Nothing fancy, just a clean sheets, and bed, and clean shower facilities. What do you expect for 6€ ($6.70). It was the only available in town.

My bed is all the way down at the end, away from the snorers. It’s actually amazing that I am a light sleeper at home but I have gotten use to the noise of the Camino and can slept anywhere.