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Camino de Santiago part 12

On September 15, 2024, I began the 13th day of my pilgrimage on the Camino. The morning commenced early, as it typically does, starting in Rabanal del Camino. At this point, I was still traversing the Meseta, an area recognized for its flat and sunny landscape. Although I'm unsure of the exact transitions, I felt a gradual shift away from the Meseta as the day unfolded.

The first notable landmark I encountered was the Cruz de Ferro, or Iron Cross, which was prominently featured on my map. I had overheard fellow pilgrims discussing this site, often using it as a reference point for other locations. This cross is featured in the movie The Way. If one didn’t do any prior research, it would be easy to miss it, as it is merely a small cross atop a pole, surrounded by an assortment of rocks. I discovered upon my return home that it is customary for pilgrims to leave a rock at this site, ideally one from their homeland, symbolizing the act of shedding their past struggles.

El Cruz de Ferro
El Cruz de Ferro

About halfway through my journey, I entered the sizable city of Ponferrada, where I took a break for a pleasant lunch and toured the Templarios Castle, historically a stronghold for the Knights Templar. I learned that the primary purpose of this fortress was to provide protection for the Camino, and it also hosts a collection of books from the Knights Templar.

Should you ever find yourself visiting Ponferrada, I highly recommend checking out the castle, as it appears to be the main attraction in the city. There's also a lovely pedestrian area with shops and eateries that is refreshingly free of traffic. I truly value the many historical cities I've explored in France and Spain that prioritize walkability in their central tourist areas.

Templarios Castle
Templarios Castle

When I finally arrived in the town of Trabalo at around 3:00 PM, I felt ready to end my day's journey. The first Albergue I approached was the Parroquial Albergue, which fortunately had an available bed. This cozy Albergue had approximately 12 beds, and the couple managing it were exceedingly welcoming. They genuinely seemed delighted to host me and enjoyed engaging in friendly conversation on their porch over a few beers. It turned out to be my second favorite Albergue, with the top spot held by my stay on day 5 in Beduer, France.

King Ferdinand II and Queen Isabella
Here I am with what I believe to be King Ferdinand II and Queen Isabella.

Since my Albergue was too small to provide meals, I sought out another establishment that did, allowing me to dine alongside other pilgrims. Some of my dinner companions spoke English, making it enjoyable to exchange stories. The meal was not only delicious but also very affordable, costing around 10 Euros.

west of Ponferrada
This image clearly shows that the terrain began to incline as I moved west of Ponferrada.

After dinner, I took a leisurely stroll back to my Albergue, where I spent some more time relaxing on the porch until I felt ready to sleep. During my chats with the owner, he cautioned me on a couple of occasions about the steep uphill section awaiting me the following day, and I confirmed on my map that he was indeed correct.

Parroquial Albergue in Trabadelo
Parroquial Albergue in Trabadelo

Last week's brain teaser was: How many 'X's can be arranged on a standard tic-tac-toe grid without securing a win?

The solution is six. This can be arranged by placing O's along either diagonal, resulting in configurations like this:

tic tac toe

The puzzle for Jan 23, 2024 is:

A king is looking to marry his daughter. Three candidates come forward—a logician, a politician, and a lawyer. The king can pose a yes/no question to each suitor, and they must provide an answer they know to be true. The logician always speaks the truth, the politician consistently lies, and the lawyer answers randomly with either yes or no. The three suitors are unfamiliar with one another. The king’s main goal is to avoid selecting the lawyer for his daughter. What question should he ask each of the three suitors?