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Well, I arrived home in Virginia late Tuesday.
Ive delayed any comment thinking there might be a difference from past experiences once off the Camino.
Yes and no!
Initially, I felt little change. No relief it was over. No feeling of loss. No need to screw my “normal” head back on straight...
Just attended 1200 Pilgrims Mass. Because you’re in line for Mass does not mean you will get in. There is limited seating and some folks just want to see the Cathedral and not attend Mass. I made it to within 10 folks of entering when the guard said no more room. Apparently, an announcement is...
OK, I gave in just prior to Lavacola. I was walking with a fantastic French lady who mentioned she needed to stop for a protein hit. The first two “restaurants” didn’t have what we both needed “eggs and bacon.” Finally, at Casa Porta in San Paio, we hit the mother load. Power to the next 12 km...
My blister healed a long way back. Never another problem. I have had a problem with bike riders: silently speed by, jump the path even into walking pilgrims and basically hog the path if they are many.
Today was different. As I departed Arzua just prior to dawn, it was sprinkling. Up ahead I...
The numbers of pilgrims since Sarria continue to grow as does the number of packs being transported and taxis taken.
My initial take is these pilgrims started their Camino high on the hoped experience but sorely ill prepared for the journey. I’ve engaged some individually and as a group and most...
Uneventful walk to Palas de Rei. Only highlight being Gonzar with their great breakfasts. Cheap and plentiful. The place was packed. I just had black tea. Mostly highway walking, or at least along side.
Long walk tomorrow. Looks like about 29 to Arzua.
Just when I think I’ve got this Camino thing worked out, I wake up in Sarria, as I’ve done several times and find I’m so excited to get going, I start out at 07:00. Well before first light. I know the Way out of town, so as I turn up familiar streets toward the Monastery Magdalene, I find I’ve...
Often, once a pilgrim first enters Santiago there maybe a sense of relief, or even disappointment, that the Way has ended. Some may go on to Finisterre, or Muxia, but the realization you’ve arrived can almost be anticlimactic.
Not so for me. Sarria is where my journey begins to unravel. I know...
As expected the Way up to O Cebreiro begins in a dusky dawn, progresses into bright sunshine and ends in a fog shrouded welcome. Many pilgrims working their Way up to join with car loads of tourists. All in all, will be happy to leave and head toward Sarria.
Buen Camino!
When you get a nagging feeling you’re wrong, check and recheck. I thought I was booked, by Booking.com into a Hostal as far outside Pomferrada as possible to get a good start to Valcarce tomorrow. When I went to register, it was pointed out I was about six km from my intended Hostal and it was...
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