Message from Marie on the C F

[sillydoll]

Hola Sil,
Just to let you know that Sarria was jamed packed yesterday. We couldn't find anywhere to stay. In the end a man put us up in his house.
I am in Portomarin. The Albergue is amazing, very efficient, clean and friendly. It rained heavily this morning. But this afternoon is became sunny and warm.
I can't believe how many pilgrims there are walking. There are hundereds of them! Most of the pilgrims I have met also started in Sarria. Most people are Spanish (obviously) compared to the 60% of people in May that were German.
Had a wonderful walk today!
Take care
Pilgrim hugs
Marie x

 

[Minkey]

I think that should, from now on, be called "The Sarria Effect"

I'm starting to get a little concerned about the accommodation issues. I've not had problems before now, but... I don't want my Camino to turn into the race for beds I've heard so much about before... Thankfully it's never happened before and hopefully it won't happen this time.

:shock:

 

[marktqm]

For some people the 4-5 days from Sarria are bittersweet. These are the last days before reaching Santiago and for those who have traveled from far away (SJPP/Roncesvalles or even further), they would like to get as much from what remains of the journey by walking real slow, as if in denial that it will soon be over. Well, that's how I felt at the time, along with people I met in SJPP.

The ones who were walking straight (stones on the road are no hazard) and fast (with a spring to their step) were obviously the fresh pilgrims starting out in Sarria. You can tell them apart from the rest of the 'injured' and weary crowd.

 

[Minkey]

Yep. Tis true. I saw a couple of ladies plugged into their iPods wearing white trousers. Had they been on the road a little longer, I suspect those trousers mightn't have been so white!

Ah well... I guess it's just one of those things. I had a little chat with a fella on Facebook about where to start and he reckoned that the best bit on the Camino was from Sarria to Santiago... because that'd been the section that he'd done... and he said the facilities were better than the rest of the route!!!! How can someone make a judgement on a road that he's never taken? Most strange.