Day Eighteen: It Isn't Over Until It's Over

We woke up to an all you can eat tosta and cafe con leche buffet. Not only that, but our alarm this morning was classical music played over the sound system of the albergue. I swear we could have stayed at Albergue Ultreia forever. I was supposed to bus to Fromista the next day because it was a longer day, but because it was Sunday nothing was running. To be safe we sent my bag ahead and on we went.

It was another blustery and cold walk, but with wonderful views. Our legs woke up first thing in the morning when we hiked up a steep peak right outside of Castrojeriz. This gave way to a stunning view of the city and the plains ahead. This was also the first time we experienced the monotony of the meseta. While it was beautiful, all you see is the road ahead of you and it feels endless. Couple that with the cold and you could say that our lunch break could not have come soon enough.

Charles and Bianca were waiting for us at the next town. We had our bocadillos, bought road snacks and began our second leg with friends. Out of no where, more and more pilgrims began to appear on the camino. Prior to today, Cameron and I were lone rangers on the trail. However when we were resting at the top of yet another hill, we looked down and saw a heard of them. We joked that they looked like walkers from The Walking Dead. Do we really look like that? Exhausted, dragging feet, with a slight shoulder lean. Where did they all come from?

Just outside our next rest town I had the most alarming pain shoot into my ankle. Oh wow, it was awful. I barely made it into the village. It was the worst pain I had experienced on the whole camino. Tears filling the eyes. We sat at a cafe, iced it and we knew we needed to call a cab to get me to Fromista to see a doctor.

We got to our albergue, dropped off bags, changed shoes and for the first time saw the damage to my ankle. Without falling, twisting or landing hard, my ankle managed to swell so large that I couldn't get my Nike shoe on, let alone my boot. Because it was Sunday, the only doctor available was at an urgent care and they were going to charge way too much for me to hear what I already knew: rest, ice, elevate and no walking.

We spent the next few hours in a wine bar in front of a fire talking options. What had become extremely clear was that my body was screaming for a break. I've never had injuries like I have had on the camino. Cameron has been so supportive- letting me know injuries happen to even the most fit of individuals. Shit happens. With a bruised ego, swollen foot and a crippled knee, we opted to leave the camino for a few days and see how I heal.

We spent our last evening on the camino with Charles and Bianca over a scrumptious pilgrim meal- salad, lasagna, sweet cakes and wine. We exchanged contact information and vowed to stay in touch in case I recover and we meet up again on the road. Fingers crossed.