The weather was sunny and hot, making for a longer day. We took many pictures. Here are some of them.
Chris starts the day with a celebration of her Birthday, today May 16th. Lisa and Jon Lynn have provided some colorful scarfs to brighten up the morning celebration.
We depart our hotel, the Duques de Najera. It didn't look like much from the outside, but inside the rooms were spacious and clean. It is located just off the Camino in the old city center.
We start the day with fresh legs as we had a day off yesterday at the Vivanco Winery.
As we head out of town, we see the red cliffs directly in back of the old city past the old church...
past a bright gold house shimmering in the morning sun.
We follow a long hill out of town. As we crest the top of the hill, we meet a pilgrim and his dog heading back into town.
We reach a large vineyard on the downhill leg.
A wine tractor passes us. There is seldom traffic on the Camino, but in farming sections, many farmers live on the Camino and drive their farm equipment and autos on portions.
We look out over a field of hops and see the snow covered Navarre mountains in the background.
Lisa, Judi and Jon Lynn continue on the path.
Judi and Lisa pass a small viaduct, used for irrigation in this region.
Here's a larger viaduct as we approach the small town of Azofra.
We stop for coffee at a small Bar in Azofra.
Chris stands at an interesting hedge at the entrance to the town playground.
We come to a monument honoring the Pilgrims that have passed here. Near the monument is a small altar of stones where pilgrims honor bestow gifts of love and remembrance along the Way.
Taking a break before heading up hill to reach the golf course.
Farm laborers are pruning the new vines. The one in the middle says hello!
Chris posing at the statue of a Pilgrim heading west.
Paella for lunch at the golf course restaurant.
Jon Lynn, Lisa, Chris, Judi are ready for a little golf????
The Camino undulates over crop fields as we approach Santo Domingo de la Calzada). The city is named for St Dominic, who dedicated his life to building roadways (Calzada's) and improving the Camino for pilgrims in the 11th Century.
Soon we approach the outskirts of Santo Domingo.
The large Pilgrim Monument as we enter Santo Domingo de la Calzada
We arrive at the 4-star Parador Hotel. St Dominic built the original Pilgrim's hospital, here in the square, now the Parador Hotel. He also built a Church that has evolved into the Cathedral, just across the Plaza. Parador is now a large hotel chain with over 50 properties in Spain, most of them old monasteries or convents converted into 4-star hotels.
Judi in front of the Clock Tower across the Plaza from the Hotel. The billboard on the clocktower celebrates the 1,000th year anniversary of Santo Domingo, a big occasion in this small town of 6,600 people. The billboard shows St Dominic standing in front of a chicken coup in the cathedral, commemorating a miracle that happened in the 13th Century that the church continues to honor today by keeping a live hen and a rooster inside the cathedral.
Across the plaza is the Cathedral. Mike has time for a quick tour.
This large gothic cathedral was built in the 11th Century. The Queen of Spain funded the original construction.
The Altarpiece in gold and bronze is typical of the cathedrals we have seen and this one is no less amazing.
The legend of the Hen and Rooster Miracle in Cathedral Santo Domingo
Legend tells of a German Pilgrim called Hugonell who was walking to Santiago with his parents, when they decided to rest at an inn in Santo Domingo de la Calzada. The owner of the inn´s daughter immediately fell in love with him; however her feelings were not reciprocated, so the girl, angered, placed a silver cup into his luggage and accused the boy of theft. Thieves at that time were punished by hanging, and this was the fate of Hugonell. His parents, saddened by his death continued the pilgrimage, and upon arriving in Santiago de Compostela, began their return journey to visit the grave of their dead son. When they arrived in Santo Domingo however, they found their son still hanging in the gallows but, miraculously alive. Hugonell, excited, said to them: “Santo Domingo brought back me to life, please go to the Mayor´s house and ask him to take me down”. Quickly, the parents arrived at the Mayor´s house and told him of the miracle. The incredulous Mayor, who was preparing to have dinner with friends, responded: “That boy is as alive as these two roast chickens we are about to eat,” and suddenly, the chickens came to life, sprouted feathers and beaks and began to crow, and so, to this day there is a saying about the town which goes: “Santo Domingo of the Way, where the roosters crow after being roasted”.
In front of the Mausoleum there is a stone, polychrome and gothic Henhouse, which was built in the middle of the XVTH century to keep alive a hen and a rooster in memory of the most famous of Santo Domingo´s miracles. There are documents from Pope Clemente VI dated 1350 allowing these live animals inside the cathedral. Below the cage is a representation of the pilgrim being hanged painted by Alonso Gallego. Above the cage there is a piece of wood from the gallows.
Leaving the Cathedral, we get a full view of the Clocktower in the plaza.
Judi and Chris have a pre-dinner Gin and Tonic in celebration of Chris' birthday.
We have a surprise visit by Graham and Lynda Mann from New Zealand. This is the 4th time we have seen Graham and Lynda on the Camino on this trip.
We are hungry and anxious to celebrate Chris Birthday in the Hotel dining Room.
After an elegant dinner, we have a Birthday Celebration for Chris.
Chris surrounded by all the hotel guests wishing her a Happy Birthday! What a day we have had. We feel blessed to be walking this path and celebrating life and Birthdays together.
Our Beauttitude for today is inspired by the four strong and beautiful women on this journey who continue to help, not just each other, but anyone they encounter who is in need. Blessed are you pilgrim, if you discover that one step back to help another is more valuable than a hundred forward without seeing who or what is by your side.
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