Camino de Santiago – Part 10
Before I get into part 10 of my journey on the Camino de Santiago, I note this newsletter comes out on December 26. I would like to take the opportunity to wish all my newsletter readers a pleasant and drama-free holiday season and a healthy and happy new year.
September 13, 2024 marked day 11 on the Camino. I started the day bright and early, as usual, at an Albergue in El Burgo Ranero. You may remember from part 9 that the woman in charge of the Albergue was very argumentative and confrontational. That morning, she was better. She did note the very early check-out time and that she had to have the entire place empty to clean. Of about the ten pilgrims staying there, I was the last to leave. After I left, I recall her saying “buencamino” and locking the gate behind me. Those were the only nice words I ever got out of her.
El Burgo Ranero was only about 25 miles from the major city of Leon. My choices were to go through it and stay somewhere west of the city or have a short riding day and enjoy the day in Leon. At this point, I could see I would arrive in Santiago in four or five days. I had planned to return home about October 1, so had plenty of time. It was an easy decision to make to have a short riding day and enjoy more time in Leon.
As I entered the eastern outskirts of Leon, there was a welcome committee greeting pilgrims as they arrived. That was a very nice touch and something I hadn’t seen before on my journey. Two volunteers were happy to answer questions, give advice and handed out lollipops. I asked one of them for advice on an Albergue and they suggested one by the name of the San Francisco de Asis.
I navigated my way to said Albergue, which wasn’t easy. It seems in Europe streets are never laid out in simple blocks like they are here. This observation comes after visiting Europe eight times. The Albergue took me in, but it was still way too early to check in. The cost of a private room was not much more than a shared one, so I splurged and got one. I put my stuff in storage and then set out to explore the city.
It was a gorgeous day, as was every day since I arrived in Spain. After a delicious lunch, I did the self-guided tour of the Leon cathedral. Then I walked about the city some more. When I’m in a new city, I’m perfectly happy to just walk around and don’t need touristy activities.
When it was check-in time at the Albergue, I noticed a sign that the monastery next door was having a guided tour at a certain time, which I did. The two monks that lead the tour were very nice. As usual with small groups, we went around and introduced ourselves, including name and where we’re from. When I said I was from the United States, the older monk said in a heavy Italian accent, “I have a special request for you – Please vote for Kamala Harris.” They then explained how the monastery used to house hundreds of monks but was now down to about ten.
After that, I had dinner in the Albergue cafeteria and attended a Pilgrim’s Mass at the same monastery I toured earlier. This was only the second Pilgrims Mass I attended thus far, the first one being in Conques, France. Despite the different languages, I could tell they mostly followed the same script. The one in France seemed to put more effort into it, including the passing out of gifts to pilgrims. When I return to the Camino, and I will, I will do Pilgrams Masses more often.
That was about it for the day. Sadly, I didn’t really meet anyone and have any good conversations. In retrospect, I should have got a shared room.
December 19, 2024 Puzzle Question
Three men asked to get a hotel room. They were told the cost was $30. Each of them paid $10 and off they went to their room. Later, the clerk realized he gave them a smaller room that should have cost only $25. He gave the bellhop $5 and asked him to refund it to the three customers. However, the bellhop was still mad he didn't get tipped. He also figured $5 doesn't divide evenly by 3 people. So, he kept $2 for himself and returned $3 to the men. The men split up that $3 evenly.
So, each man paid $9 for the room, for a total of $27. The bellhop also got $2. $27 + $2 = $29. However, they originally paid $30. Where did the missing dollar go?
December 19, 2024 PuzzleAnswer
There is no missing dollar. The $29 includes both money paid and money received. In other words, the $2 the bellhop got was part of the $27 paid. So that money was counted twice.
The correct way to look at it is to either count money paid or money received.
Money paid is simply 3 * $9 = $27
Money received is $25 by the clerk and $2 by the bellop. $25 = $2 = $27
Money paid equals money received, so it balances.
December 26, 2024 Puzzle Question
A large block of granite is moved using logs as rollers. Each log has a circumference of 1 meter. For every revolution of each log, how far does the block advance?