Last two days

Sat, 6/7
Start: Foncebadon
End: Molinaseca
Distance: 23.04 km

1. The Cruz Ferro
Today we reached the highest point of the Camino. While the one of the most iconic parts of the Camino, the Cruz Ferro, isn't actually the highest point of the Camino, it's still a cool spot. The actual highest point is approximately 1km later. Anywho, this is where you drop off your stone, rock or personal item you've been carrying which symbolizes the burdens you have been carrying while on the Camino. It's definitely a nice and interesting stop. We were only 2k away in the morning so it was a relatively quiet site since people hadnt got there yet due to the climb.

2. The last Templar
A little later, we ran into an recently new village. This village had been deserted for the last few years (appx 20 years). However, Tomás decided to change that and become a Templar who had the job to protect, house, and help pilgrims traveling to and from Jerusalem, Rome, and Santiago among other things. So Tomás brought the village back to "life" and now has a population of 1. He runs a donation based hospital. This hospital allows pilgrims shelter, food, and hospitality.

3. Downhill struggle
We went up 591 meters the day before and now it was straight down. It was rough and awful. My legs didn't like it. We went 600 down and on all rocks and slate. It was no fun.

4. Change of plans
Due to pure downhill struggle and our bodies not agreeing with it, we called it quits early which was good and worked out because...

5. Connections
Nilaj knew someone in Ponferrada but she was out of town. Instead, she asked her friend to show him around and take care of him. It was a lot of fun to hang out with a local of the town that we were in.

Sun, 6/8
Start: Molinaseca
End: Cacabelos
Distance: 28.17 km

1. Churros con chocolate
First time I've had churros con chocolate since my return to Spain. They weren't bad but brought up fond memories of my time in Sevilla

2. Castle
There was a Templar Castle in Ponferada which has passed through several hands throughout the years and then has been renovated now. It had cool history part in the beginning and then was just nice to walk around the castle. It added a bit of distance but wasnt too bad.

2a. The last Templar
Tomás was outside the castle. Pretty cool in my opinion.

3. Daily grind to the max
Since we stopped, which I was happy doing, we had only walked 7k by 1pm. With the entire rest of the 11k being after 1pm and the fact that it was on concrete made it difficult to continue. It was a mental grind then as a result became a physical challenge but we finally got there as we sluggishly arrived.