What a wonderful walk today was. The conditions today are similar to days 9 & 10; no shade with a blazing sun. However the topography was different. Gentle rolling hills with a gentle incline and decline.

Two other important differences which were there was a wonderful breeze the entire way. Day started at 9 degrees and reached 25; plus I passed through 6 villages between Santo Domingo and Balorado.

Why this makes a difference is because as you got away from one village you could see the next village and it became a beacon drawing you towards it. Just a simple thing but so much better than walking 12-15 km without seeing anything. The power of the mind. The only drawback was that the majority of the walking was along a highway; not on it just beside it. It was a strange juxtaposition of walking from medieval village to medieval village with modern society blaring in your ear.

The topography leads to Lesson 1: Have Faith in the Power of your Mind.

I walked further today than yesterday but it was an easier day. My mind focused on the village ahead, not on the road.

Lesson 2 is you are not alone.

I am meeting so many people along this journey and each and everyone of us are doing it for a different reason. Some people are meant to meet me (which already happened) and we are meant to meet people (which happened today).

When struggling you can struggle alone and it will get worse or you can share your struggle with someone and it will get better. That was day 11. I met someone from England and connected and spent time walking together, then had dinner together and tomorrow we are planning on walking together. We were so similar from education, career and struggles. It was uncanny. He was a person I was meant to meet and hear his words. Thank you Paul. We may or may not see each other again, but I wish you Buen Camino Paul.

One of the disappointing things so far is the food. I expected good Spanish food along the way but that was not the case, with very few exceptions but I found a great restaurant and had the best meal since starting this journey.

In Belorado the town has embraced the pilgrims, by creating a Path of Encouragement.

They have made brass plates that are inset into the street as you walk out of town as you continue on the Way.

You might recognize this person.

As a final note this region is known for the production of sunflower oil and there are fields of 🌻 that go on for miles, I can only imagine the view when they are in their full glorious bloom.

Well onto day 12.