Man’s Best Friend
On the outskirts of Villarmentero de Campos, there was an albergue (or hostel) that was accessed by a gateway of high hedges as though entering into one’s own private secret garden. The building was nothing to write home about: one low building with one large multiple use room that smelled of musty wood, cabins around the back, an outhouse with a filthy interior (and large spiderwebs), and one long covered patio overlooking a wide expanse of fields.
On my approach, when I was about a half a mile away, I noticed a couple of dogs running across the the open terrain. I was leery because I had heard about wild dogs posing a threat to pilgrims (though as far as I experienced, this was much ado about nothing). I quickened my pace to avoid their attention.
I saw the entry into the albergue and decided to stop and rest for a bit as the day had been long and I was growing weary, with still a while to walk. I was exhausted, tired and feeling a bit lonely. I was greeted by a tall, thin fellow at the door to the hostel, and I asked if I could get a Coke (midafternoons I had become addicted to having a good sit and a Coke).
Taking the bottle, I sat out on the porch in the hot shade, staring out at the sunny rural view. Bounding into sight came the dogs: a large golden retriever and some sort of huge mixed mastiff-type thing. They were carousing with each other, throwing themselves to the ground and rolling about, then jumping up and running toward the porch. They spotted the stranger sitting alone and immediately made a bee-line to me. I nervously put down my soda. With a growing sense of panic, I looked around for the hostel manager, who was no where to be seen.
The hounds of the Baskervilles came at me like a raw steak. They leapt at my throat, and then they began licking me profusely all over. I laughed hysterically pushing them away as they continued to drool all over me. I gave up pushing and began hugging and petting, of which they (and I) could not get enough. My spirits soared and a smile appeared on my face for the rest of the afternoon.
I was sorry to leave this place and my new found friends, but the road and the fading sun were beckoning.
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