Astorga (Zero Day)

Today I decided that I needed a day to rest, and most of all clean up and figure a way to protect the blister on my left foot that has gotten bigger and painful.

I went to the pharmacy and got some antiseptic ointment, gauze, and thin and stretchable medical tape. With the gauze I can apply the antiseptic and then wrap the tape entirely around my foot to keep it in place, plus it’s thin enough that it won’t place extra pressure on the blister and it won’t crowd my shoe. I have my own blister bandages, mole skin, and other things, but this is what was recommended to me at the pharmacy, and I think with all the foot issues they see here that I would trust their recommendations. I will see how it feels tomorrow when I start walking again.

After practicing wrapping my foot a couple times with the gauze I decided to wandered through the plaza a short distance and decided to get a hair cut. The clerk at the hotel recommended Victor at a beautiful little barber shop four blocks from the hotel. I walk there but had to come back at six because he only works by appointment. He is open 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. and then 4:15 pm to 8:00 pm. Strange hours but that’s Spain! I have to say for €11, or whatever the price would have been, it was one of the most enjoyable hair cuts I have had in a long time. Almost all the cut was with hand scissors, straight razor, blow-dry, and massage. I’d go to him every week if he was at home!

I went out to dinner and ran into a young American woman I had met earlier in the day at the plaza. She is from Massachusetts and just graduated and will start her new jog as a physicians assistance once back from the Camino. As with probably close to half of the woman on the Camino, she is trekking by herself. From what I have observed, and also what others have also mentioned, more than half of the pilgrims on the Camino are women. Interesting statistic but I think it’s because it is a safe place for women to travel by themselves.

Tomorrow I will start back on the Camino and plan to go to Froncebadon, which is about fifteen miles. There is one other village about twelve miles away but the alberques will be crowded and the one hostal there is full. After Froncebadon the next place might be another five miles and not knowing how my foot will feel I made reservations in Froncebadon. There was only one room left and I am glade I called early enough and got that recommendation from the only other hostal there that was full.

Best wishes to all,

Ted

As always, please excuse the typos, grammar, and spelling, etc., because I am writing this on my phone and don’t always review my blog. And, even if I don’t review it, it’s s good a good excuse for my mistakes!

Today was market day in the plaza

Food and clothing were the big items

Market day at the plaza is probably something held here for hundreds of years

Hot item those scarfs