I planned the flights, one night stay in Madrid, and a ride on a couple of trains to get to the start point.
That’s where the planning ended.
I wasn’t sure if we would stay in Sarria today and then start the trek tomorrow. Then, the crowd of people who got off the train with the same objective of walking the Camino looked exactly like the wildebeest stampede scene in Lion King (the original), only with the wildebeests pulling roller luggage. Yes, we chose to carry everything we need for 2 weeks in Europe on our backs, but there are services that will transport luggage for you.
A rule of the Camino is you don’t judge the way others make their trek. But, we DO say that if we see anyone of those f’ers posting on social media like they’re out there roughing it whilst their excessive luggage is moved along for them that we will cast shade upon them.
The stampede coupled with the knowledge that there are 200,000 people a year making this same stretch of trek put me in Rainman Mode.
We got off the train, walked to a grocery store where I got deli potato egg thing and some highly addictive chocolate croissant things and then just started walking. Did we stop for important things like getting a pilgrim’s passport? Or perhaps some cash? Naw, dog. We just looked for the first yellow arrow and stepped towards it. And repeat.
I wasn’t sure we’d walk at all today since it wasn’t until 2 pm here that we got to Sarria, but we did over 14 miles. Oh! And, guess what. I’ve been telling everyone it’s 100 km. It’s actually 113. That extra 8 miles doesn’t sound like much, but damn!
We were caught in a torrential storm with hail. We had no cash to get snacks. But we had the path nearly to ourselves save a few cows, random farmers, a group of tutu clad mountain bikers, and thankfully that couple who was walking the other way and waved us down to let us know we’d missed a turn. The trail is very clearly marked, but as we got tired we missed one of those arrows. It was silly to be on the wrong path, but seriously fortuitous to encounter the ONLY people walking the opposite way at that time. Muchas gracias to the for the assist.
Perhaps the lightning and flash flood warnings were heeded by other pilgrims
If you’re thinking I’m picking up the language, lemme set that straight. I have no idea what the pin pad is saying to me. It’s a challenge I am unprepared for.
As the afternoon wore into evening, my drenched feet made me want to land in a bed soon. I began to walk fast and with a cranky purpose. We had no idea where we would land and if they would take cold, hard American plastic. Thankfully there was a room available in Portomarin. That’s right, we got a private room with a private bathroom at this Alburge (hostel). But remember, we don’t judge the pilgrimage of others. We also had a great dinner from their pilgrim’s menu. I nearly picked the chicken thigh and drumstick bones clean enough they could go back in a chicken. And more bread!
We will see how many of the remaining miles we can click off tomorrow. Since I’d gotten so focused on getting landed for the night, I was walking at a good clip. I kept assuring Brian that it’s okay and that I’m sure there will be cool stuff to see tomorrow too. I also told him that we’re aiming for 20 miles tomorrow.
“We‘ll see about that” he tells me.
Bifocals and Barbells 