We left Arzúa which was a pretty big city and hope to make it to Pedrouzo. It took some time getting out of the bigger town. Also it is seriously raining today. We are in a conga line again today. Groups of people passing us, lots of Bien Camino!! Everyone in rain gear. 5th day of rain so far, but tomorrow, we reach Santiago.

I have really enjoyed this walk, Al and I have had time for some serious conversations. Aj and I as well. I have loved hearing them behind me, snatches of conversations, bits and pieces of arguments over silly stuff, Tv shows or music. Lots of singing. Trying to remember songs, which reminds me. Aj asked me awhile ago why I say, “until then, be well”? Well thats kind of a long story. We sing a lot of hymns at our church, Preston City Bible Church. Our pastor, David Roselund likes to tell us the story behind some of the songs we sing. This one, It is Well With My Soul, by Horatio_Spafford has always resonated with me. The man who wrote it had a family, prosperous business, everything he wanted. Then one by one, he loses it. Through it all he was able to maintain, no matter what, it is well with him. So when I am saying, “until then be well”, I know we all are on different walks, doing different things, some of you I have never even met.

I have had a difficult year, lots of things, I was laid off from a job where I had been happily employed for 31 years. I felt a little worthless for a bit. I found out two of my younger children were dealing with drug addiction. One of my daughters nearly died from an overdose. She wasn’t breathing when the EMTs got there, after 3 doses of Narcam, she revived. Almost lost her. Another daughter had a difficult pregnancy and her son who was born 5 months ago still hasn’t left the hospital due to a birth defect that affects his heart. We all have stuff, burdens we quietly bear. We get beat up some times by life, scars on the inside where no one can see, same as me, but through it all, It is well with me and I hope and pray that until we get together again via this blog, it is well with you also. So that’s the story with that. 🙂

I think this is so lovely!

Notice the happy faces! We were miserable!

Now he is smiling now, 25 km to go.

Everyone thought AJ was a little crazy with the shorts. The rain was frigid, but once you’re soaked it just didn’t matter anymore. One day I wore two layers thinking it would help, no, I’m afraid not. It felt like I had lead weights on my legs.

Around 2 something we were just starved. We stopped at this road side place and thought we would just get something to warm us up because we were just so tired and worn out. It turned out there was a special and everyone just got that, kinda wether you wanted it or not. So the waiter asks us, 3 for lunch? Yes 3. There’s a bottle of house wine, we have that. Then 3 beers from the tap. and bread, a whole urn of bean soup. Then salad with tomato’s and thin onions drizzled with olive oil. Then a platter of slices of beef over a mound of fried potatoes! Then dessert. He also comes around with this big silver pot of black coffee and then some kind of liquor poured into that!!! We had to say no to that. All of this, 10e a piece! You just can’t beat that! And our waiter was so nice! We left there replete! Walking on air, but also a little like we just had a thanksgiving meal! Nap time! Man we felt good but ready to just lie down, and it’s pouring! Really drenching cold rain.

We finally make it to a town, decide we have had enough, only 20 kms today. We have to back track to find and Albergue. The 1st two we try are both full. One of the places was willing to call around for us to find us a place. Cereal for dinner again but our lunch was just so fantastic it was fine. When I pulled my rain coat off, puddles of water in my sleeve. Just horrible. Then warm showers, I made some tea, we ate our cereal and pretty much that was it.

I’ve included some links for hymn.

More to follow, until then, Be well!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zY5o9mP22V0&feature=share

http://www.staugustine.com/article/20141016/LIFESTYLE/310169936?template=ampart

Leaving Casanova walking to Arzúa

We decided to eat breakfast together before AJ set out. We had a great dinner at the Bar last night. As we get closer to the coast the menú is changing. More seafood. Aj had Orejade cerdo, pigs ear. He has tried all sorts of stuff. I played it safe with paella and then chicken. We have these marvelous dinners, I think I may have mentioned it before, the pilgrims menu. There are always 3 courses and a jug of wine. The last few places we have had fantastic home cooked meals. Homemade wines and desserts. Last night I had made a piece of Santiago cake, and the husband tells us his wife makes this herself, he then poured wine over it as he served it. I already loved it, now over the moon about it! Everyone, truly, well I would have to rethink that, there have been a few people who could have been a little nicer, but I want my rose colored glasses on, everyone has been so nice, treated us so well, it just makes your day when someone is kind to you. Maybe it’s the language barrier thing, they are certainly trying to give us what we want even if they don’t know what that is. Last night while we were at dinner, the woman from the albergue did are laundry so we could go eat earlier. We were tired, wet and hungry, she said just go. We came back, all done. AJ said, he felt rejuvenated just having clothes that didn’t smell. Also he decided to walk with us again, the rest of the way, into Santiago!! Made my day!

Well it’s still raining. Not really bad, but I am starting to really hate my raincoat. You either hot and sweaty or cold and clammy. The sun is trying to come out. Al takes off his rain poncho, and of course it pours, really rains, by the time we get him back into it, he is drenched.

Then, hello Dolly, finally the rainbow i have been looking for

I just love all the plants here, no idea about this one. We talk about them, especially the forests and groves of trees. I want to find out why are there groves of this tree or that?

Are they wind breaks? For paper? Housing? They are beautiful, maybe just for that, I don’t know. Finally a town, which means a break. First we have to find a place, which is sometimes not that easy. We follow the Camino, the arrows, way marks, if it’s not on the caminó, we walk right by. We do find a place, that has kiwis growing on a trellis. I am all agog and have to find the person who owns it and ask questions. He says they won’t really be ripe until December, then they pick and preserve them. It was a great place. They also bottle their own liquor, with herbs. AJ has seen this a few times. A first for us, very nice. AJ bought us lunch, which wasn’t fancy but it was good and just what we needed. I think we walked a bit faster after that. Aches and pains seemed to be gone, could have been that herb liquor. We continued on. Some towns we go through are older, very small. The bigger towns have the outskirts 1st, which are sometimes a mix, always up a hill, then the newer then and always the really old and churches, lots of stone churches.

.

We are down to the last 50km If AJ had left us and walked on, he would be walking into Santiago tomorrow. He has literally walked across Spain in 22 days! 780 kms!!!No taxis or buses for him. I have really enjoyed this time with him. He is a man now, 26 years old and he is such a great person. I know I am his mom but seriously he is. One night a couple of weeks ago when we met up, there was a woman eating alone, we had already started but he invited this stranger to eat with us. She was Hungarian and didn’t speak any English. She joins us, gets out her phone to translate and tries to apologize for not speaking our language. AJ says no apologies needed, you speak better English then we speak Hungarian. Then he made her feel welcome and we enjoyed the rest of our meal together. The sun has been in and out most of the day, but only light rain here and there.

We walk until almost 5, we didn’t get as far as we wanted but decide to stop in Arzúa.

more to follow, until then be well

We started out of Gonzar in the woods and past that place we ate at last night. We are trying for Casanova, about 22kms.I love rocks and these stone walls are a work of art! These are incredible, 2 feet thick, right in the middle of the woods. And Yes, it is still raining! More on and off at the moment.

Most mornings we get up at 6:30, get dressed in the semi dark and out the door by 8. Sometimes someone will turn the lights on around 7. With less people they aren’t pushing us out the door like they were before. I have seen the people shaking pilgrims up, then literally stand by the bed and say, you have 15 minutes to leave. Harsh. Last several places, no one is even there at night, in the morning we shut off the lights and let ourselves out. But anyway, where I’m going with this is we leave on an empty stomach, and walk. At a coffee stop there are sheep.

We are getting there, well under a 100km to go.

The road gets tedious, I don’t mind the trips into the woods once in awhile.

This cow looked a little down to me.

Started raining again. We had to take another break to warm up, toast, the ultimate comfort food. A lot of the places we pass say artist here. This coffee stop had an artist

We are trying to walk more because it is getting crowded again. Lots of people just do the last 100kms of the Camino. That’s the minimum requirement to get a Compostela, a certifícate saying you have walked the Camino. Also AJ, our son is very close to catching up again and we may see him tonight.

Off the road again and hopefully the last stretch of woods tonight.

We get pretty scared here because a pack of dogs cross our path. First we see a group of dogs go by. I immediately stop, I wait for Al to catch up, now a few more go by. We wait, just about ready to continue, several more go by, all kinds of dogs, big and small. Finally we think it’s safe, Al picks up a big stick, 2 more dogs go by. I don’t know which way to go, I’m thinking let’s go back. Al wants to continue on, we quickly and as quietly as possible walk by, and see all the dogs, sitting in the woods. No idea what was going on but we were moving pretty fast by then. Maybe 5 more minutes we found our Albergue!

Half an hour after that, AJ arrived. We all ate a fantastic meal together, it was perfect!

More to follow, until then be well.

Leaving Sarria in the rain we are making for Portomarín, a pretty big town. I think today is day 3 of rain. By far the worst for us because we were in the woods a lot on steep terrain. The rain tears through the woods making the path a riverbed. As much as we try to stay to the side, sometimes that’s impossible, we are in moving water.

I didn’t get a lot of pictures earlier today because my camera/phone wouldn’t allow me to, fingers too cold or the lens was all fogged up from my pocket.

We stopped around lunchtime at this place that had a pellet stove running. We probably over stayed our welcome. We were wringing the water out of our jacket sleeves. We have rain ponchos, as you can see, but the movement of your arm has the water flowing right down to our elbows.

Every thing is certainly green here. There has been a lot of improvements to the Camino since last we walked on it. Paths are wider and more stone, gravel and cement.

I just love these little churches. Dolly Parton said once, “if you want the rainbows 🌈, you gotta put up with the rain”. Well I looked all day for one, still waiting.

Finally, close to the end of our day, clearing.

We had to cross this massive two lane bridge. Which had an itty bitty rail.

The rail on the inside, up to our knees, the outside one, insubstantial in my opinion. I was terrified! Held Al’s hand the whole time, which was a long time. His poncho kept blowing in my face, I was essentially blinded at times. Awful. This used to be a river that has been dammed up to make the Belesar reservoir. I can take a picture once we reach solid ground.

So we made it into Portomarín. This staircase is part of the original medieval bridge across the river Miño.

The wind is blowing the clouds away we decide to walk to the next town, another 7.7km.

I liked this garden wall. Very impressive.

We did make it in to Gonzar, the weather did not cooperate, we also had a hill to deal with. The wind was very fierce. All and all, it was an ok day. I wouldn’t mind some sun. We so appreciate when we get in at night, this place, no WiFi, no kitchen, but water, nice and hot. We were two out of four in the whole Albergue. The main problem was no food. The lady at the desk told us just one km up the hill is a restaurant. Oh! It’s also an Albergue and has WiFi. Well that would have been nice to know. We walked up, ate then walked back in the pitch black . The worst part was, first thing in the morning, we walked right past again!

More to follow, until then be well!

We walked out of Triacastela heading towards towards Sarria

We left town with the sun coming up. Not as fantastic as yesterday. More rain and a couple big hills again. I dread the hills. We have been in albergues with no WiFi again. It makes posting difficult, i can write stuff I just can’t stick pictures in. Then when we stop for something warm or just to be dry for a few minutes if the place is crowded, difficulties again.

The hills do give you nice views. We walked along woodland trails again, water rushing by the side and switching back and forth.

Check out this tree! Kinda spooky right?

Our way markers our more noticeable now.

We have still come across a few that are side by side pointing in different directions. Then it’s time to pull the guide book back out of the backpack. The guidebook has the historic trail, there are little side trails called the mystical path. We don’t want mystical, straight as the crow flies is what I would prefer at this point.

The trail veered off into the woods which we thought was the right way, but no one in front or in back. It’s funny because you think your all alone but just then you will hear someone coming up behind you. This morning it was like a conga line passing us. Very annoying. Then all of a sudden, no one, for a very long time!

The trail kept deteriorating, we weren’t sure if somehow we got onto someone’s private land.

We kept going, pulled out the guide book again, it said you would leave the road, well that was for sure.

Finally civilization in the distance!

The sun cant decide to come or go.

We actually don’t do a long day, only 18kms, but we had two big peaks, one at 680m and one at 910m. We would leave the woods then the road, then cross right back into the woods again.

Then around the corner, a house and church, in the middle of the woods.

I liked the flowers matching the houses color.

Finally out of the woods and onto the senda, beside the road.

I had to get a picture of this it looks like a cross between an evergreen and a cactus!

More to follow, until then be well!

We left Laguna de Castillo walking to Triacastela, about 23km.

The views when we walked out this morning about 8am were incredible! It just kept getting better and better.

That’s a hill top in a sea of clouds!!

Our trail starts with a climb and a scary edge. Those are clouds not snow in the background!

We take a selfie at what we believe to be the summit. Nope not yet.

I’m telling you, it was just fantastic, we were loving it, hills and all! Clouds looked solid enough to take a walk out on!just breathtaking!

We reach the next town and decide to take a break.

We stopped here last time also, but this time of year only one place open. I just get a coffee and Al a soda. We left without eating this morning but felt ok. Another pilgrim was raving about the cheese and said we should try it. Well Al got an omelette and I got an order of cheese and bread. Oh my goodness!!!! The cheese was something they make themselves, soft, sweet and yellow. Then they drizzled honey all over it and served that with fresh crusty bread! Oh I ate every bit and I didn’t even think I was that hungry! It was fantastic!

There were functional Galician palloza’s, they are traditional buildings built in the round and topped with straw.

There was still a lot of ups and downs, we can now see the next village coming up in the distance.

Al was in front, hills are still a little tough for me.

Again weaving in and out of towns. All have a church and a cemetery.

Off in the distance.

We were still kinda high and had several patches of snow.

The trail today was truly lovely. Weather just beautiful. We had a marvelous day walking and talking.

You can see the graveyard behind Al in this picture.

I loved this part of the trail, it was cooler and I just liked the moss and the soft ground. Sometimes there may only be a few houses, but you will still see a church.

Next town in the distance, the one we are walking to. This is a hundred year old chestnut tree! Tomorrow we plan on an even shorter day. We are in a spartan Albergue tonight. No kitchen, no WiFi, just cubicles with 2 bunks each, I got the short straw again, top bunk.

More to follow, until then be well!

We left Villafranca del Bierzo and are trying for Laguna de Castilla

We left a little late again today, the albergue we were in did not have the typical breakfast. So far breakfast at albergues is coffee and toast with jam. It’s also on a lot of the menus. Most times we eat on the road, I always have fruit in my backpack, Al carriers olives. This albergue had a cheaper breakfast, but it didn’t start till 7:30am, 2e and yes there was coffee and toast but also cereals, milk, hot and cold, coco, buns, cakes, and then sweets you could take in your backpack. Really a nice place!

Pretty much all the walking today was flat and beside the road until the end. We’ll get to that.

There was interesting things still to look at. Like these blue bushes, what the heck, never seen anything like it.

It rained on and off but not so bad we had to get out the rain gear, then the rain bow!

The trail would leave the highway every time we came across a town, then out again.

If there is a chance to go inside and use the W/C, always preferable.

There’s still snow at higher elevations and it is November but there are still flowers and gardens everywhere.

Collards I think, I’ve just never seen them so tall. No idea what this was, but I liked it. We are it taking it slow and easy today, with lots of small breaks.

There is a big hill/mountain at the end of the page. We pass by lots of farms and even a wood mill at one point.

You can see one of those high bridges in the background of this picture that Al was talking about yesterday.

Next town around the bend.

We have been following this river all day. Sometimes it’s gently, very clear, and sometimes we see waterfalls through the trees. We are now starting to climb.

lots of hills. Then off road, where it really got tough.

Parts of the trail were very narrow and it was like step climbing for a few hours. Also there were horses. Some people take horses up this part. The end of today was mostly all woods. Then all of a sudden there were gardens and houses. People picking up chestnuts, which were everywhere. Walnuts too! I had a pocket full and every once in awhile would smash one with a handy rock.

Almost at the top. Still gardens!

Starting another climb.

Well I guess we climbed a mountain today. The views were amazing, crystal clear skies. And there’s still snow up here!

Well we may have bit off more then we should have. We actually climbed 3600feet! We did book a place ahead, so with having a reservation you get there when you can and know you at least have a bed. We asked at an earlier albergue what’s open ahead, because there’s less places to stay, I didn’t want to climb up there and find out then, they are closed. It turned out that it was, so she called the next place, really can’t say town, it’s just 3 houses, one of them an albergue. It meant another 2.3km climb, which took us over an hour but that’s ok.

We are still not yet to the top, 2.5km more to go, then down, hopefully gently.

More to follow, until then be well.

We left Leon and rode a bus to VillaFranca del Bierzo

Leaving Leon we passed by the Casa Botines.

We we’re moving kinda slow today, but I saw this lovely door. This reminds me how I told AJ the other day, how I can’t look down when I walk, cause I keep getting distracted by rocks.

This is craftsman ship! I want to be able to do this! Which leads me to this,

I think I need to live really at least 100 years to do all I want to do!

So we get to the bus station early and wait till 1pm to board our bus to VillaFranca. We manage to jump 5 days and 125km in about 2 1/2 hours.

On the bus we pretty much follow the Camino, so in the beginning we were on the lookout for pilgrims we knew. Then we just enjoyed the ride.

I listened to some podcasts which reminds me of another conversation with my son. I forgot what we were talking about but I mentioned how I talk to myself. Like, “Dorean get moving” . He was like wait a minute, you call yourself Dorean? Well ya, that’s who I am! But you actually use your name? Ya, doesn’t everyone? I say. No mom! Then he gives me the look, like your my mom, but your a crazy person. Ahh, no.

So anyway this is where the podcast ties in. I listen to a lot of podcasts from the Quick and dirty podcast network. One I try not to miss is Mignon Fogarty, Creator of Grammer Girl and the founder of Quick and Dirty tips. Well I was blown away the other day when she spoke about Illeism, Speaking about youself in the 3rd person instead of the first. Like Elmo saying, “Elmo wants to be friends”. She mentioned a research study that found out that people who self talk like this are really more in control and more likely to follow through with what they say. As in me saying to myself, “Dorean, get your butt out of bed” . If I just said to myself, ya I should get up. Chances are I won’t. So this is long I apologize, but I told him later, see I’m not a crazy person. I am normal, mostly.

I do enjoy podcasts whenever I have time, so there’s a lot I listen to from this group, the nutrition diva, get fit guy, the money girl, just to name a few.

Then I fell asleep on the bus which Al later told me was a good thing. High rise bridges, hair pin turns and tunnels, ya wake me when it’s over.

After we arrived in VillaFranca, which is right on the Camino we needed to find an Albergue. The 1st one we went into was Leo’s. Filled up, but Maria was so helpful, calling another Albergue for us so we wouldn’t have to check everywhere. Then she gave us a map and sent us to de La Piedra. One of the best we have been to. They actually offered us tea or coffee when we arrived. What? Are we still in an Albergue? Then a single bunk was 10e or a double private room 12e? Yes we will take that. They were also just so nice and helpful. Take your time, get cleaned up, check in when you get a chance.

Well we checked in right away because I wanted to see the town, which was beautiful.

I pretty much walked Al all over town.

It was beautiful, Al’s leg was hurting so I went on by myself.

I ended up in this church

Which was very modest and truly stark. No photos allowed. It was just a stone church, unadorned, wooden pews, and then an altar. I found myself at the front and sat down. There is a Cross in front with Jesus on it, and I find myself crying, shoulders shaking, and my 1st thought is no one come out and talk to me, please, and they didn’t. This was between me and God, and I felt horrible about myself, so unworthy of all that I have. I am truly blessed in so many ways, I forget in the rush to do all the things I want to do and all the things I want to accomplish, what I already have. Instead of always rushing ahead, I need to slow down and be more thankful for all that I already possess. Kind of an epiphany I guess. I make my way back to Al, who declares how hungry he is, we tend to overlook lunch.

Have I mentioned my new love of tapas yet. I now love figs and tapas, well and Spanish wine of course.

Tomorrow we start walking again.

Until then be well!

We never left Leon, still trying

Today not so good. We still have our son with us until after breakfast, then the plan is to explore Leon and tour the cathedral. Well first I want to let you know AJ feels better!

Then he discovers that at some point in time the instant coffee he has been carrying in his backpack opened, and it’s a wet sticky mess everywhere. Mine, never go on a long trip without it is in a small pocket with my granola bars. Some he could just shake off, but his backpack itself needed to be cleaned. So he spent some time in the shower with his backpack.Then wiping down all his stuff.

We have breakfast and he continues on walking out of Leon. We head to the cathedral.

The Cathedral of Leon, also called the house of lights. It seems that a lot of historic places are built on top of others. We saw that in Burgos also. This was built upon old Roman baths. It was built in the gothic style in the 13th century. The doors are incredible.

Above the door, you just cannot fit some of these images in the same frame.

We pay our money and get inside.

Sorry this one was blurred a bit. It shows the inside from where we come in straight back, but separated by chorus area.

One small window out of many.

The white virgin.

This one was smaller but I liked all the animals on it.

The doors, I just love them!

The cathedral was big we spent over an hour in there listening on our head sets. I couldn’t capture the majesty of the place. It was incredible!

I was coughing a bit on the inside, I noticed people giving me a wide berth. AJ had said that morning and Al had agreed, I really should see someone. So right after the cathedral I said I would go get checked out. Well that took a very long time and I will give you the condensed version.

I have a respiratory infection. I had X-rays, tests, a shot, several treatments and I had to promise to not walk, not carry a backpack for 3 days. Got several prescriptions and I was cut loose.

Something good to know, the prescriptions, cost me less then 1 co-pay of 1 it would cost back home. Also, I should say last time I was prepared for worse case scenarios. My Doctor gave me medicine in case I got sick, October has historically been a bad month for me. I have had a good year and was cleared to go. And of course when I had the medicine I never needed it. That just seems to be the way of it.

The pharmacy was incredible also! It has been a working pharmacy since the 1800’s.

We did try to take a train out last night, they are fast and not that expensive. It just wasn’t working out for us. Then we tried the bus, we wanted to find a place out of the damp weather for us to rest.

We can stay at an Albergue if we are walking but there are rules. In by 10pm out by 8 am, and you can’t check in till 2 or 3. So that makes it complicated. Doctor said I could show all my private medical documents and get them to let me stay. Well Albergues are big and crowded lately, Al didn’t want to stay in one because he said next I will have the stomach thing to go with everything else.

Well after lots of round and round, we hadn’t eaten since breakfast and I was exhausted. So we found an Albergue. This was supposed to be an inexpensive getaway. I haven’t given up yet!

This was crossing the bridge back towards Cathedral area and hopefully a bed.

By the time we found an Albergue it was close to 8pm, very late but a huge place so we got two bottom bunks side by side.

Tomorrow we will try to catch a bus again further up the Camino and take it slow, see how it goes.

More to follow, until then be well!

Left El Burgo Ranero, we are now walking to Reliegos

Not good news, now AJ has that bug Allen had. We did not eat together or sleep near each other. Rooms fill up, usually everyone gets a bottom bunk. Sometimes people choose top and bottom to stay in the same room, we have done that. AJ had one room with a bunch of bunks, we were in another. He told us later that all of a sudden he had this bad feeling in his stomach, nothing more, then eruption. Spent a lot of time that night in and out of bed.

He felt so so, definitely didn’t want to risk eating. So we left without eating, in the rain!! I mentioned to Al today that we are leaving at the same time but it’s not dark anymore. The time got turned back and I didn’t really notice till now!

Love the doors here, you cannot get these at Home Depot.

Passed some more Passion flowers and wanted to pick some of the fruit, but wasn’t sure what color it needed to be. There is an unspoken rule on the Camino, fruit in yards, plots, gardens, stay out. Over the fence on public land your good to take. These were on my side of the fence.

We are again walking on the senda, beside the road.

Eventually we hit a wooded area and Al decided he needed to use the woods. On the way out, it being slippery with wet leaves, he twisted his ankle. Not much to we could do, but walk on. Which we did at a slower and slower pace.

We made it to a town and realized AJ needed to walk on he has a tighter time schedule and we needed to rest. I still wasn’t feeling super either. So we rested tried to walk more that was rather painful for Al so we pulled into a bar. I got a coffee and Al pulls out our book to figure out what the heck we are going to do, bartender tells us, she will call is a cab, only cost about 6e. Man! The Camino is changing before my eyes, so we get a cab to next big town we were trying to walk to. What would have taken us the rest of the day, now took 15 minutes. We flew past pilgrims, I saw our son as we whiz by. We are now in Mansilla de las Mulas. And find out we can take a bus to Leon in about an hour and a half. We decided to do that, because even though AJ feels awful that’s where he wants to get to.

This is just one of those wired things that happen I say to Al, well we have almost two hours, let’s see what we can see. I see a sign for Biblioteca, the library so we head in that direction. At the córner AJ crosses the street in front of us, he is stunned to see us there! We talk, we tell AJ we will find a place in Leon, just get there. Which he did, he walked 37km!!! Oh to be young! Not really, I like where I’m at, but that’s another whole conversation.

So we arrived back at bus station for bus and what do we see, oh more pilgrims taking the bus. I am telling you, I never knew this, walking it once before, I follow the forums, i never knew pilgrims took taxis and buses, maybe it’s new?

From bus station it was still quite a hike to where we would be, by Cathedral. It took us a couple of hours. We end up getting a hostel room, a step up from Albergue. Just us in a room with a door, that’s locks. Al made a mistake the other night going into a room that wasn’t ours, what he did not make was a new friend. 😳

So we went to a store, bought some frozen stuff, some pre-made stuff, some wine. It was all good.

Tomorrow Al and I plan to tour Cathedral.

Until then, be well!