5 August 2015 Stage 14.5: Sick Day in Castrojeriz

Right now I'm "hanging out" in Hospital de la Alma (hospital of the soul). The hospitalero at my albergue last night who woke me up at 6:40am and kicked me out at 8am (rules are rules though, I understand) said that 3 minutes up the road was this house/place I could sit for the day. It is really cool and bizarre in here. The man who lives here looks like a movie character: white pants, long sleeve black shirt, beard, long braided hair. The house is awesome: incense, interesting changing music, weird things hanging all over the walls. There are really nice photographs with captions that I think the man took. There is a back garden that backs up into a mountain and there are 3 little caves and these little ladders going up the side of the mountain. I think Jesse Larson would love it here. It's "un espacio de silencio" (silent space) and I'm trying to eat saltine crackers silently and without making crumbs. That's nearly impossible. I can hear the clip clop of pilgrims walking past. I did find the bathroom here. I kind of need a hospital of the body, but hey I guess I'll take a hospital of the soul. Maybe if i hadn't gotten sick I would never have seen this place. I'm going to try to take a bus to Frómista at 6pm. That way I won't be behind a day and I can still be with Jacquelyne and Timi and the crew of Kevin, Inés, Antonia, Tatiana, Charlotte and Tristan who are all so nice and were so helpful when I was sick. I've never seen so many weird mirrors, lamps, plants, and furniture as in this house. Outside there's a little table and chair where one can paint bones. I think I'll go make myself some tea in the tea room that says serve yourself. Nevermind all the tea is caffeinated which I don't think my stomach will appreciate. I'm going to walk into the plaza and hopefully find more saltines and a telephone. Well, I think my only bathroom option might be the doctor's office lobby. There's basically just a crappy looking bar that I don't want anything from. I am literally sitting in the doctor's office solely to use the bathroom. I have to explain to each person who walks in that I am not in line for the doctor. To see the doctor here you literally just go knock on his door. So weird. Staying at the municipal albergue tonight in Catrojeriz. Will take taxi to Carrión de los Condes tomorrow. Too sick to take the bus tonight. This very nice older Spanish woman decided she needed to show me all 200 or so really mediocre photos (and blab about them) of her past 3 days on the Camino. She was nice, but I was just like oh my gosh yes I literally just walked all of that and I'm sick. And she was obsessed with how attractive she thinks her boyfriend is. I was just like ugh I barely understand you and I feel like crap, but you are well-meaning so I shouldn't be annoyed.

Plaza with my electrolyte drink... 

...to doctor's office for bathroom...

... to albergue