This year is very interesting. Maybe it’s that I started at the end of August or it’s the fires, but there is no one on the Camino Frances right now. Today I left León and saw only a few more than 10 pilgrims in total. To me that is simply not normal. The pilgrims that I talked to today told me that most albergue’s were not full. I walked today with no reservation and so far I am the only pilgrim in the albergue. I certainly do not mind having the room to myself but I love people so it would be great to have a few pilgrims. It is early about 2:30 so we will see.
Tonight I am in Villavante which is the last town on the alternate route out of León. I have never walked the alternative route so I wanted to give it a try. They claim that it is the more beautiful route but I am not so sure I agree with that. Now, on the traditional route you walk next to the highway, but on this route I spent the majority of the day walking on the road. Today I walked 32 km in a little more than 6 hours. I got 38,580 steps and burned almost 2300 active calories. Not a bad start.
I am staying at albergue Santa Lucia which is very nice. The shower was hot and of course since it’s only me I have a bottom bunk. 12.Euros for a bed 14 for dinner and 5 Euros for Breakfast. 31 total. Not too bad.
Tomorrow I will walk to Astorga. I have never stayed in Astorga I usually walk to Santa Catalina de Somoza but I am trying to stay in new places and I want to stay in Foncebadon as I have never stayed there and want fresh legs for the walk down the hill the next day.