Last night in Carrion was a gas. You have to give the Spanish credit for being able to manufacture a parade and a festa with ingenuity and a sense of humor. They had what was probably the high school band playing as groups of town people dressed as eggs, grapes, bananas, ballerinas, Cola Cao (a very popular poster to make hot or cold chocolate,) stick figures, cowboys, and, yes, pilgrims. They also had floats. One was Don Quiote tilting at windmills. Many of the participants were enjoying beer and mixed drinks as they strolled down the street. It was a hoot. And about as disorganized as a parade can be. Here, take a look:
The festa was for San Xulian. The calendars showed this town has festa days in every month.
The 17.5 km (11mi) trek between Carrion and Calzailla is not easy. The reason for this is that there is no shade and no place to stop , get out of the sun, and have a cold drink or a snack. Those little breaks while walking are very refreshing.
I knew it would be like this so I was mentally prepared. I got up brushed my teeth, combed my hair, packed up my pack, ate two little cartons of yogurt, and some bread the Korean family left. By the way this family is amazing there are about six or seven of them and, according to what they said during the introduction part of the singing, they all came to do the Camino to spend time with their family. When the sisters suggested they sing a Korean song, they did and it sounded amazing. This morning when I went into the kitchen they had the bread all cut up, some bananas, bacon and fried eggs. I was stunned. I don't think I've ever seen a pilgrim make bacon and eggs on the Camino.
Anyway, they had some left over bread and I asked them if I could have it. Score.
I left the Albergue just before 7am. I couldn't remember how to get out of the town, but I was following the arrows.At one point I was stopped by the side of the road because I couldn't figure out which way the arrows were pointing. Sure enough , a guy in a car stops and tells me the Camino is straight ahead, then turn left at the bridge. And away I went.
As I was walking I came upon Nadia and her mother. 
Nsdia is the one with my shadow on her. This kid walked the 17 km, then played in the pool all day after they arrived at the Albergue. I think her mom finally got her out about 7pm. The energy of kids!
Here's my shadow picture for the day
As I was walking I saw this woman talking on her cell phone while walking. It was not a short conversation. 
Then at the Albergue there was a guy carrying on a conversation on his cell phone while hanging out his laundry. I marvel at their ability to multitask. Today I was just walking, not doing anything else and I managed to trip over my own walking pole, which theoretically I control, making two small cuts on both legs. I don't think I should ever try walking and chewing gum at the same time.
Here's my little snail fried I met today
He was trying to cross the road. I was trying to convince him that this was not a good idea, that there was plenty of grass on this side of the road, and he might get squished by a foot or a tire.about this time Nadia and her mother walked up and we all admired the beauty of this snail's shell. Nadia's mom picked him up a carried home to the other side. What a kind act.
So, I show up in Calzadilla and check into the Municipal Albergue. The lady wh checked me in stamped my credential took down all the necessary information from my passport. Is he shows me around, where the kitchen is, where the bathrooms and showers are, all that stuff. There are two rooms with beds and she says I can choose any bed I want.
She leaves I go down to the bar and get a coke and relax. When I go back to the Albergue another Oman is there looking at me like I'm trying to sneak in. She says I need to register. I tell her I already did. So she says she wants to see my passport. So I say ok. I run up and get my passport and take it down. She checks every detail that has already been written, then tells me I need to pay the 5€. I told I thought I already did. So I said ok. After walking I probably not fully functioning.
I go up to take my shower so I can get my laundry together for washing. I figure I'll take her the money when I go down to do the laundry.
I go to the showers closet to my room and one doesn't have a shower head and the other has muddy water and hair on thefloor. Not really a deal killer but I thought I'd check out the other two showers. At this point she is coming up the stairs to show two new pilgrims their beds. She starts yelling at me that I can't those showers. They are for the people in this room. So I tell her the problems with the other showers and she goes over and looks at them. She says the shower isn't dirty, it's just been used by the Koreans, who by the way are staying in the other room, so by her reasoning should not have used these showers designated for my room.
Then she starts saying this is an Albergue, not a hotel. That she can show me where there is a hotel. Then she says I'm not a pilgrim and starts lecturing. I am baffled. I've done a lot of Caminos and never had a problem in any Albergue. But at this point I figure retreat is the best option. So I stuff everything in my pack and leave.
I go like three feet next door to the other Albergue that has a swimming pool. The hospitalero there recognizes my Muñeca and kids me saying that Voluntarios and hospitaleros have to sleep on the top bunk. After what I just went though I was stunned for a moment and then he laughed and showed me his Muñeca. We got along famously, I'm glad to say.
So I got the opportunity to practice compassion again today. And Nadia and her mom are staying here, so I got to spend part of the day watching Nadia swim like a little fish.
I had dinner with them and Lasatya and I had a wonderful talk about all things spiritual. We watched a sunset that turned the horizon purple and pink. 
Now I'm tucked in and it is time to sleep.
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