Day 14

Last night’s alburgue was terrible. So so so terrible. We had 24 people in my room. None of my best friends on this journey were there. For that, I was a little thankful. I just felt empty with no social courtesies to spare. But, let me be the first to tell you: 24 strangers sleeping in a room together are toooo many! There was no air, even with all of the windows open. Many loud snorers could not be ignored, even with earplugs or headphones.

After a few hours, I decided to go downstairs and lay on the couch. (This was one of the few albergues with couches!) Even though it was 1AM, a lady was down there fighting in Spanish with her husband or boyfriend on her cell phone. Also, while I was laying there, I heard someone violently throwing up, many times over. 

I decided to return to my room, took MORE sleep aid and then fell asleep to wake this morning to the sound of the owners waking up the last of us who weren’t already gone by 7 AM. This was the latest I’ve slept all summer. I woke up groggy and tired because of the melatonin overdose from the night before. 

I rode a bus to the next stop with another lady who is traveling with my friend from New York, Heather. She had to go to the hospital yesterday to have her feet tended to. Many people have sought hospital assistance on this journey. I have heard several stories of having to pay upwards of 100 euros for someone to put dressings on feet! 

I am desperately hoping for a better sleep situation tonight. I am currently waiting for Deb to arrive at the town we thought we would stay in tonight, but my guess is that when she gets here, we will keep moving. The town is too small and there are a couple of more towns within a few miles that might serve us better. After last night, I just need sleep though! 

***the next day

This trip is doing its job. Which means I am feeling raw and open and a lot of emotion that is hard to share here. 

We ended up stopping and having a bit of rest yesterday. The alburgue was thankfully the exact opposite of the prior one and they took very good care of us. They did our laundry and treated us well.  Deb and I had a lot of time to talk and catch up.