Days 9 & 10 - Nájera to Santo Domingo de la Calzada and the Excursion to San Millán de la Cogolla

 The stage from Nájera to Santo Domingo de la Calzada was relatively easy. We had some ups and downs, but nothing that was too strenuous. There has been the threat of rain for the last few days, but without much coming about. We are always prepared with our windbreakers and as a last resort our panchos.

The vineyards are becoming more and more frequent. You see men out in the fields carefully pruning each vine individually. We have occasionally stopped to chat. One of the interesting things about the vineyards is that they are very rocky with stones the size of my fist. 

One of my favorite times along the path is to listen to the song of the birds. They are everywhere! This one just sat on that branch as if posing for the picture.

You find these markers along the Camino. They have the symbol of the shell, the yellow arrow pointing you in the right direction, and usually a plaque that tells you how much farther it is to Santiago.

On Wednesday (today) we visited a marvelous monastery in San Millán de la Cogolla. Jannette and I have visited the monastery on other occasions but this was the best ever. Susana greeted us with hugs and kisses. We took the students into the nearby area where they could contemplate both nature and the sounds that permeate the area. I gave them a short lesson on Gonzalo de Berceo who was a poet from the 13th century who lived in the monastery. We then visited the monastery. 

Thi is the valley where the monastery is located.

In the 11th century a Romanesque church stood on the spot. However, with the need for more space for the monks and a dislike for the architecture another church and monastery were built in the 16th century. Notice the circular window... During the solstice in March and September the sun shines through this window and...

Passes through the circular decoration crowning the doors that access the lower choir and church. The alignment shows that the building's apse is facing east; symbolizing the coming of the Lord. After the guide left us we were joined by friar Mateo who took us on a one-of-a-kind tour of the 15th-century library

Where he showed us huge canticles that weighed 60+ lbs.

The let Seth play the church's Baroque organ...

He is probably one of the most joyful people I have ever met. He kept giving me hugs and telling how much he loved me and the students. He was so excited to have us there. At one point he hugged me and then kicked up his heals...

His love and kindness towards all of us was just one more of those demonstrations that goodness and love transcend religious barriers. We can find joy everywhere!