Day 24: A bit of home in the Spanish mountains

Dear traveler, 

It's Easter today!!!

I get dressed quickly and go out in the yard, seeking chocolate eggs. I wonder if the Easter bunny knows he can find me here.

-"Marmot, the spaniards don't celebrate Easter at the same time with us. The spanish bunnies came one week earlier."

-"But what about my chocolate eggs?"

-"Probably your bunny hid them at home already. Until then, we have some boiled eggs for breakfast. Let's eat!"

Okay, I'll wait upon our return home. I hope the cats will not find them before.

After breakfast, we start off on the small path that leaves the village quickly. 

Today we cross the mountains. Not that I checked a map or something but they are closer and closer and right on our walking direction. And maybe because we barely started walking and I already feel that the trail is challenging my legs.

Knowing that a long trail lies ahead and to avoid morning drama, my folks are taking turns in carrying me on the inclined trail segments. 

I don't think it was necessary but I don't mind. I can better enjoy the sights from here.

The sky is light blue, without any trace of clouds. 

-"What will we find interesting on our way today, Mamarmot?"

-"Marmot, we'll be crossing through a small village I read about in a book. It's called Foncebadón. And we'll reach Cruz de Ferro too. A truly special place."

Mamarmot is not very good with details today. I said something interesting..

-"And if I may ask, why are these places so special?"

-"Well, there was a legend about Foncebadón in the book, but I forgot it. I'm just very curious to link the image of the village with what I read. And Cruz de Ferro has an unique tradition. The pilgrims will leave here a stone which they bring from home or pick up from somewhere along the way. It's said that by leaving the stone here, one leaves behind all his burdens."

Ok, the last place sounds very cool. I pick up a stone too. I will leave my burdens there as well, whatever this word means.

We enter the village Mamarmot was talking about before and it's pretty nice. Just a small mountain refuge and a little store, from where my folks buy me some sunscreen as it seems I'm starting to look like a crab.

Let's go to the other place. I'm very curious.

The trail takes us on a path that goes along the forest and doesn't let us see what we're looking for in the distance.

As we get closer I'm starting to see the mountain of stones. 

-"You mean that all these stones were brought by pilgrims?"

-"Yes!"

Woooow! So many pilgrims must have passed by this place! 

I put my stone here too and then I look at the others. On many something is written, others are painted, some even have pictures on them. "Burdens" must be a nice word since all these stones are so colorful and pretty,

We continue further on mountain paths, filled with pink flowers. We don't walk too far until we reach the road again and a small house, rather interesting. It's filled with signs. But amongst all, I notice the flag of our country.

-"Predeal. Have we been here, Mamarmot?"

-"Yes, we've passed this place many times on our way to the mountains."

2562 kilometers. We've walked a looot. Oooh, wait, I forgot about the plane. And the bus. But still. 2562. How proud I am to see a piece of home in the Spanish mountains!

We leave this village as fast as we entered it. Village is quite a big word as I haven't seen more than that house. 

The sun starts to burn my cheeks even more up here.

Soon, we continue further to the next village, where we'll be sleeping today. 

From the ridge we are on, it looks like a toy village. 

Our hosts are an old lady and a man and a big and lazy dog, that spoil me with paper to draw on and some wire with beads from which I make myself and my folks some bracelets. 

We ramble about a lot of things with the hosts. Especially my folks, as I'm pretty busy with the bracelets.

But I listen to their story and I like it. They stay here for a while and then, they move further. Then they go home. Where did they say their home was? How about my home? It's here and at my house. It's at Predeal. It's also a bit in the Spanish mountains. It's in my pocket too. It's where the cats and chocolate eggs are.