- Time of past OR future Camino
- Frances SJPP to SdC Oct/Nov 2015
Frances Burgos toSdC March/April 2016
W. Highland Way August 2016
Camino Somewhere September 2017
I find myself back on Camino, after six strange years, and what an experience. It's like riding a bike. Everything comes back. The placing of walking sticks in an unobtrusive way against a corner wall, The pack in front, holding them up. The coffees, the early fast breakfasts, the attention to details--like my feet.
They are holding up better than I expected. Typically, I hike in a Vasque boot no matter what, or a Salomon trail runner, but this time around I'm in a pair of Brooks. They are working out. A week ago, back home in Oregon, I dropped a ladder on my left foot, and it fell across my big toe. I screamed a word not supported on the forum, but the first letter of it matches forum. Let's just say that.
The Litoral? the first day was funny. I walked from the hotel where I stayed, Decanting Porto, to the Cathedral. There I met many sweet pilgrims, including a young woman waiting for friends. "Have you figured out which stairwell to walk down"? I asked. "No," she smiled nervously. A Japanese guy came running up to me as I was en route to the Cathedra, "Can I follow you?" he asked. Sure, I said, but sometimes I don't always get to where I'm going, so be warned. We walked straight there.
I ignored many arrows and shells that would have placed me on the Central, and found my way down to the river. All the boats, smells, sights, tourist boats, and colorful tourist shops! I decided to follow my phone's map to route myself to McDonald's, as I knew I'd need a coke with ice, and the WC, old lady that I am. Imagine my surprise to see a dapper gentleman in red attire with a bald eagle on the Mickey D railing. I love birds, as some of you know. We had a great chat, and I tried to give him a few euro for bird food, but he said he is hired by McDonald's to be there with Paco, his bald eagle. Very impressive.
The heat has been hard on me. I'm using my Glide on my entire body, ha ha! No blisters, no sunburn, no chafing, no heatrash. But wow, walking the litoral is an exposed experience. Friday will be even warmer. It's nothing but blue skies now!
My first day, I made it to Matosinhos, exhausted. Remember--I've been a cancer chick for a few years, and I'm building myself back up. Then today, I made it to Vila do Condo. I can't claim entirely by my own volition! I had walked and walked and walked, as we pilgrims do, until I got to a restaurant at the beach. I went in and had a pilgrim's menu. The handsome young men there were so sweet, bringing me extra starters and just being so kind.
After half a sandwich and a glass of lemonade, I did not have the oomph in me to walk several more miles, so got a taxi and settled in here. Tomorrrow my plan is to get an earlier start, so I can avoid some of that heat. It's just very exposed, I'm finding. Long sleeves feel oppressive. Tank top feels too exposed, despite slathering on sun screen, which melts to goo on my skin.
I'm having a wonderful time, and happy to be here, however! Lovely to be on Camino after way too long.
xxooDeb
They are holding up better than I expected. Typically, I hike in a Vasque boot no matter what, or a Salomon trail runner, but this time around I'm in a pair of Brooks. They are working out. A week ago, back home in Oregon, I dropped a ladder on my left foot, and it fell across my big toe. I screamed a word not supported on the forum, but the first letter of it matches forum. Let's just say that.
The Litoral? the first day was funny. I walked from the hotel where I stayed, Decanting Porto, to the Cathedral. There I met many sweet pilgrims, including a young woman waiting for friends. "Have you figured out which stairwell to walk down"? I asked. "No," she smiled nervously. A Japanese guy came running up to me as I was en route to the Cathedra, "Can I follow you?" he asked. Sure, I said, but sometimes I don't always get to where I'm going, so be warned. We walked straight there.
I ignored many arrows and shells that would have placed me on the Central, and found my way down to the river. All the boats, smells, sights, tourist boats, and colorful tourist shops! I decided to follow my phone's map to route myself to McDonald's, as I knew I'd need a coke with ice, and the WC, old lady that I am. Imagine my surprise to see a dapper gentleman in red attire with a bald eagle on the Mickey D railing. I love birds, as some of you know. We had a great chat, and I tried to give him a few euro for bird food, but he said he is hired by McDonald's to be there with Paco, his bald eagle. Very impressive.
The heat has been hard on me. I'm using my Glide on my entire body, ha ha! No blisters, no sunburn, no chafing, no heatrash. But wow, walking the litoral is an exposed experience. Friday will be even warmer. It's nothing but blue skies now!
My first day, I made it to Matosinhos, exhausted. Remember--I've been a cancer chick for a few years, and I'm building myself back up. Then today, I made it to Vila do Condo. I can't claim entirely by my own volition! I had walked and walked and walked, as we pilgrims do, until I got to a restaurant at the beach. I went in and had a pilgrim's menu. The handsome young men there were so sweet, bringing me extra starters and just being so kind.
After half a sandwich and a glass of lemonade, I did not have the oomph in me to walk several more miles, so got a taxi and settled in here. Tomorrrow my plan is to get an earlier start, so I can avoid some of that heat. It's just very exposed, I'm finding. Long sleeves feel oppressive. Tank top feels too exposed, despite slathering on sun screen, which melts to goo on my skin.
I'm having a wonderful time, and happy to be here, however! Lovely to be on Camino after way too long.
xxooDeb
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