Day 4 Frómista-Carrion de Los Condos- 21 KlmsThe day started comically, firstly, with Paolo unable to find his socks and in frustration, threathening to stop his march. A Spanish hiker is perceptually challenged when confronted by his coffee mug upside down on the table before him. Someone sprinkled a little chocolate powder on top and it looks very much like a frothy cappuccino. Then, when I ask the hospitalier for a little more milk, a fight almost breaks out when he refuses. Paolo is most charged in his protest, as we promise to report the incident.
Fuelled by such outrage (this sort of thing never happens on the French side, where not asking for more would be received as a great insult), we march quickly. Like most days, we do not have a fixed destination, but will assess the objective along the way.
We arrive in Carrion de Los Condos and decide to rest there, also being a Sunday and are delighted to learn that there will be a fiesta that evening, with a parade. We find the old Monastiere de Santa Clara, which now serves as a refuge and I discover two Australian girls who are doing the road. Quite rare to find Aussies here and bravo to them for not sticking to the `Aussie ghetto` in London.
That night after dinner, Paolo and I take to the streets and view the carnival, which is as unorganised as the refuges, with no central theme. There are various groups of participants all dressed in transvestite garb. It makes no sense at all, but provides much laughter and I rediscover the value of mirth in undertakings such as long hikes. The smile meter is resting on 8/10