Day 16 – Hontanas

“(On the Meseta) there is little shade and so again we need to take care with the sun and carry plenty of water”.   – A Pilgrims Guide to Camino de Santiago 

Ok, I got this covered.

About 15km in the rain this morning, I kept repeating to myself “The Camino isn’t about comfort.”
I chose to stay in the municipal albergue today partly because the primary private alburgue started an aggressive advertising campaign about 5km back and only intensified as I approached the town. 

The municipals are the more barebones and cheaper alburgue.  As a result they also tend to attract the younger and/or more eccentric peregrinos.  Social eccentricity is relative on the Camino though.  

No matter the size of the town,  they all sport an ancient church with a bell tower. Yesterday’s tower was augmented with PA speakers sounding out a melody followed by a chime for each hour.  The bells were for looks only.

Hontana’s belfry strikes real bells and it’s located right next to the municipal alburgue. 

Tomorrow is supposed to be back to the normal challenges of the Meseta.

Buen Camino,

-jgp