San Pedro de Rozados to Salamanca

Departed together with Claude at 6:00.

The dawn was so… nice and red.

It was still dark when we passed thru a small village of Morille with a iron statue of a lady?

Tried to enter next village Miranda de Azan which was “promoted” with an info board as touristic place, with few bars etc.

Nothing! We lost few kilometers. We were mad! Information table felt a bit of that anger. A little snake on the road, a sign or not?

Yellow cross before today’s destination. Salamanca visible on the horizon, and we all meet together (even the two noisy Spaniards).

The gates of the magnificent Salamanca open for us! Finally entering city center. Were hooked by the old German lady “bat” which was “phishing” pilgrims for the Church’s albergue. After explaining the spartanic rules we left the place, as we would feel like in a nazi camp. But Salamanca… that gem in the desert. After settling in a nice Hotel El Toboso (rest was really needed) for 25 Euros per person, nearby the huge Plaza Mayor, we went for a city tour.

A wonderful dinner in a small old street.

Coffee at the Plaza. Today I felt strange. Mixed feelings. In the same time: we are entering now the final third of the Camino. Feeling of… oblivion and one starts to think… not to go back to all the troubles back home. But still called home. We just had to try those “best” (for sure most expensive) hams from Guijelo. Good, very strong taste but, sorry I prefer Istrian. We had this snack in the church hostel park, met Javier there again. Later had some beers at 2 Euros.

Went to see the famous university and tries to enter the cathedral for which those “Pharisees” wanted to charge us?! I immidiatelly sent a strong note directly to the Pope on his Facebook page.

Claude found us again! An early dinner together: great paella with beer for 11.50 Euros.

It is hard to leave Salamaca, one just wants to stay here. Maybe because, this university town in the desert brings us back to youth? After all that dust and desperate seek for shadow and water… Don’t want to grow up. Then, it’s good to take a coffee in the morning sun… slowly. In silence and with a big sigh.

*”Cruz del peregrino. Camino Mozárabe de Santiago Via de la Plata. El viaje de las mil leguas empezo con un paso. Buen Camino peregrine que Santiago te guie y protégé, recuerda al final del sendero sobre el horizonte esta Santiago. Dedicado a mis padres por su entreba y dedicacion, a una estrellita el cielo, y a todos los peregrinos, hospitaleros, asociaciones y personas que hacen que cada dia siga mas vivo el espiritu de todos los caminos. Gracias por respetar este lugar con poco valor material pero gran valor sentimental”.