Day 10 Najera to Santo Domingo de la Calzada

13 miles, a perfect, gorgeous day for a long walk: sunny, cool, no wind. The path today is generally hard packed well drained farm roads across gently rolling vineyards and farmland. Beautiful views,  and only 5 other pilgrims. The locals say the pilgrims will appear next week. We'll see.

The walk ended in the historic city of Santo Domingo de la Calzada. Santo Domingo helped create part of the pilgrimage route, started a hospital here in the 1100's for the pilgrims, and is buried in the opulent great cathedral here. The church also houses 2 live chickens; you can google for the legend of the chickens and why they are here.

I am about 1/4 of the way, so as a reward, I have treated myself to an overnight in the local Parador, a historic building now owned and operated by the Spanish government as a special hotel. This one used to be a pilgrim hospital, not the original one, but built on the late 1500's. It is FAB, as is the lunch I just enjoyed in the dining room. There is a special Pilgrim rate, which makes it more affordable.

Tomorrow is Sunday, everything will be closed, and another long day awaits.