Thyme

Zamora – Tabara 66km

30 May 2023

As we left Zamora, zigging through narrow alleyways, searching for a cafe to grab breakfast. Despite the usual hustle and bustle of the plaza areas, the town seemed eerily quiet, almost like a public holiday. Disappointed, we decided to venture out of town. Just as we were about to pick up speed, we noticed a group of locals laying thyme and rose petals across a section of the road outside a cafe. Intrigued, we stopped to observe and were kindly offered a piece of thyme. Bo and Danni soon joined us, equally curious. It became apparent that a street festival was about to kick off, with the locals preparing for the festivities. With a hot cup of coffee in hand, we heard the distant sound of drums beating. Suddenly, a large crowd of Spanish locals appeared, carrying a Madonna pedestal on six men’s shoulders.

We arrived at El Toro Albergue and settled in, rejuvenated after a refreshing shower. Unfortunately, the dinner service wasn’t available, but we eagerly awaited the menu of the day. The wait was worth it: lentil soup, chicken curry, and flan’s were served, accompanied by the usual vino and agua. Our stomachs were satisfyingly full, prompting some of us to take a nap, while others explored the streets. Later in the afternoon everyone enjoyed the warmth of the sun before a sudden storm arrived. We took advantage of the open church doors, admiring the interior and getting our pilgrim passport stamped with a cello. On our way back to the albergue, we picked up some local cheese and chorizo for a cheese board dinner. Despite our full stomachs, the cheese board quickly disappeared.