June 12
So begins the final section of the Camino!
We were up about 6:30 and got a ride to the lower Albergue (it was comprised of 4 buildings) to have breakfast... quite good... coffee, juice, toast, banana, eggs, pancakes... no syrup, but jam or chocolate sauce or caramel... the caramel was actually eagle brand milk cooked in a pressure cooker for 45 minutes.... tasted just like what I make at home.
Was another great day for walking... we connected with Elisa, a new friend we met, fairly early and walked together all day. She talked us into eating at a vegetarian restaurant and treated us to lunch. It was actually quite tasty; I had a ‘hamburger’ with cheese and egg on it.
A bit early in the day we passed the marker indicating that there are 100 kilometers left to walk to Santiago, a pretty busy place for pictures. Elisa told us that there is actually a marker in Finisterre that indicates 000.000... the end... seems there should be one like that in Santiago... we shall see. Finisterre is on the Atlantic Ocean and many pilgrims walk there. Obviously, I’m not!
All in all another gorgeous day on the Camino. May have threatened to rain but did not. Probably 48 or so when we started and 65ish when we arrived in Portomarin. Definitely some climbing up and down, but less than other days. A couple places where there is a pretty tight place to walk through and weird ‘steps‘ down such that folks were stacking up. Did I mention the new volume of pilgrims? Probably 5-10 times as many as prior to Sarria... all is good though... each of us is walking their own path/Camino. I was aware that many people start their walk in Sarria with the intention of just traveling the 100KM Santiago de Compestela. Sure could see the result of that!
I saw a perfect place to hide a candy bar, so did one last one late today... in a stone wall... took pictures and sent them to Hanna.
We all showered... I sent a pix of a shower... most have had a space for undressing and redressing... not so in these... tight quarters.
We walked along the shops... much more retail therapy here than anywhere until now... ate at an Italian restaurant... food was good and conversation was awesome... can one be saved in the last minute/seconds of life? Very healthy conversation... I hope... seemed that way to me.
Good night all... from the Camino in Spain.
God bless you all!
I questioned why Jerry took this pic... He said he never even realized what Mr Donkey was doing...
While we were at the Vegan Restaurant, this pooch was just drooling for some carne... we were sure of that... well, maybe not, but he was interested in food!
Our digs for tonight...
Great day indeedy! I've heard that since you get "credit" for having walked the Camino from 100km out of Santiago that many people just walk from that point. You're awesome, of course & have enjoyed a much greater experience! Walk on.....
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