Day 10 – Santo Domingo to Belorado

/ adventuregirlannie

22.4 km – 13.9 miles

6:45am to 12:15 pm walking time

300 meters – 984 feet elevation gain

I got started a few minutes later than I wanted today knowing that it would be a hot day today. But the walk went quick enough that I arrived to town shortly after noon. Even too early to check into my albergue.

It was probably the most boring walk so far. Only a couple nice views along the way and then mostly looking out across brown and yellow farm fields, with a highway off to one side of the path.

I didn’t take as many pictures today. I also definitely felt a wave of loneliness during the walk today. I’ve met several nice people along the way, but social time with folks has been limited to come by. Just haven’t found a Camino family yet, so I’ve been eating a lot of meals and spending most days alone. Can’t help but have that bring on some PTSD from Covid days where I couldn’t spend much social time with people. Hoping that doesn’t last the whole way. I did at least enjoy lunch today with the gal who is next to me in the albergue.

Despite the French Way having the most infrastructure of the Camino paths, it does seem like covid times has played a role in how many cafes and bars are open along the way. Some towns that I think previously had places to stop are very sleepy. It seems like there are more boarded up windows and more for sale signs. I’m also finding the line to wait to get something in the cafes or bars that are open means your break ends up being longer than intended. Today I only stopped twice and generally I like to take 3-4 breaks during a walk.

I’m staying in an albergue tonight that doesn’t have bunk beds! It’s a room of only 8 people too and I see windows that open and fans! It is a climb up to the third floor to get there though.

Tomorrow will be a tougher day with more hills than the way has had in the past few days. It’s also potentially going to rain tomorrow. The area needs the rain, but this peregrina isn’t too excited about walking in the rain.

On a positive note, I got to meet little Cody in Belorado today…

10 thoughts on “Day 10 – Santo Domingo to Belorado”

  4. I am sorry to hear your camino family is slow in forming but it’s hard to imagine it won’t come together in end. I certainly would be walking with you and keeping you company if I could, but that might defeat the purpose. I really enjoyed walking alone and being forced into meeting NEW people. I’ve followed a few couples who walked together, stayed in private accommodations, and seemed to have missed out on the social aspect of the camino altogether, which I find very sad. If I did walk with one of my sons, or another family member or friend, I think it would be interesting to pretend not to know them, just to see if we ended in the same or completely separate camino families!

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  5. I wonder is it the time of year too? Are you away a bit later this time?

    It’s strange to see you write about this. I’ve read and followed a lot of thru hikers on the Appalachian and Pacific Crest Trails and walking alone is almost the norm there and the loneliness can be a big challenge but in my mind the Camino is all about the social aspect. Fingers crossed you get a “tramily” soon 🤞

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    • It is a slightly quieter time of year but there are still lots of pilgrims. This time more than others people are just walking short sections, so I get to know them and then they’re gone. That likely prevents some of the “family” feeling.

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