1 November 2024
Today was a quiet day. An in-between day. I handed over the hospitalero duties to my successor, but I haven't started the Torres yet. That starts tomorrow. I planned today as a transition day, so I could be around to answer any questions from the new hospitalero. I'm not exactly sure how many pilgrims signed in today, since I didn't sign them in. I think around 10 or 11. A lot more than yesterday! I also got my credencial started today with a stamp from the albergue.
The two pilgrims we had were gone in the morning by 8:00 and we cleaned up the place. I packed up my things ready for my departure tomorrow. Then we each headed our separate ways, agreeing to meet back at the albergue at 12:50, after the noon mass which Valentín would be attending, and head to Niza for lunch together. I took a spare set of keys.
I basically just wandered around Salamanca, saying goodbye to the town. I did head into some new neighborhoods, looking for some more street art, as directed by that app I was talking about. On my way back to the albergue, I happened to come across Victor on the street. I told him that Valentín and I would be heading to Niza for lunch. He said he would join us but be a bit later. We should wait a bit before heading out.
I got back about 15 minutes before we were scheduled to meet and let myself into the albergue. 1:00 rolled around and Valentín hadn't shown up yet. I figured mass went on longer than he had expected. Then the doorbell rang. It was a bunch of pilgrims asking if they could drop off their backpacks, to return when the albergue opened. I said okay. While I was sorting them out, Valentín showed up. He had been waiting for me outside, not realizing I had taken a key. Once we dealt with the pilgrims, we headed off to Niza, where Victor was waiting for us. We had a nice lunch together, then I showed Valentín the nearby supermarket and we bought something for cena and headed back to the albergue, arriving with 15 minutes to spare. There were lots of pilgrims waiting for us.
Since then, I've been resting in the albergue before my 33 km walk tomorrow. It turns out Ken will not be joining me. His plans have changed and he will be in Zamora. But I can leave the albergue whenever I want this evening.
Photos: building details from the Salamanca streets (×2), eventually more street art (×4).
Bonus: bell tower concert (from yesterday)