The Camino Frances

The Camino Frances

Thursday, May 22, 2014

Somedays are great, some are not.

Day 30 Vilacha to Palas de Rei  28 km

Yesterday we felt like we were dragging. Every step felt like an effort, and we had to push ourselves to get to our destination. We couldn´t understand why. The weather was rain off and on, and it was a constant up and down, but so was today, and today was an easy 28 km. We had a spring in our step today. We arrived a little earlier than yesterday, and we felt fine. No need for a rest.  We can´t figure what made the difference, but today worked.

Maybe it is the excitement. We will be in Santiago on Sunday, so 3 more days of walking. Word was passed along the Camino today: meet  at 4 pm on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday at 4 pm at Taberna Bispo in Santiago. If everyone gets the message, then we should be able to meet up with all the people we have lost along the way. We heard the announcement from 2 pilgrims, then Lawrence popped out from a bar to hug us - He is from Ottawa, and we lost track of him a few days ago. He is the originator of the plan to meet!! You can get out of sync with pilgrims - we might stay at different places, we might just be 10 minutes behind them, they might go an extra 5 kms, and you won´t see them again. This way we might reconnect!

We are in Palais de Rei, and it seems to be a real centre. Everyone seems to stop here.
I remet favourite people along the way: the girls from Humberside in Toronto who know some of the teachers I know from that school, the Danish couple that we had dinner with in Fonfria, John, who has stayed in the same place for 4 nights with us, but ended up at the same hotel today, Mike, who we lost a few days ago - the list goes on and on. There are lots of kids from South Korea here, but one woman is older, and she threw her arms around me when we remet today. The people make the Camino a special experience. At coffee today, a couple of women bikers stopped, looked at my Canadian flag, and said ¨Is Wendy here by chance?¨and it was someone from Oakville who knew Wendy´s sister - they hugged like old friends.

So, we are doing just wonderfully. No injuries, and we are motoring along on schedule.

Last night with Gordon and Anne-Marie was so special - we felt like we were in their home, a private place, unlike the public places we have stayed in so far. And they ate with us, which has never happened before. Truly a unique experience.  I couldn´t load pictures yesterday, so here is Casa Banderas.

Casa Banderas, showing the three flags.



5 comments:

  1. Not long now. Sounds like you have had a wonderful experience. You will be coming home to some nice weather - finally. Enjoy the last few bittersweet days. I remember I didn't want it to end but at the same time missed my family.

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    1. Right now we are trying to stay in the moment, as I know it is hard to stop walking, and begin to make different decisions about how to use our time - go to Finnesterre, go to Madrid a day early, stay in Santiago. We have booked 2 nights and will see. But it will be a challenge.

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  2. I can't believe you are almost done. Take care. Enjoy the last few days

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    1. I think I will enjoy every day - and am looking forward to being home one week from today also. Every day is a treasure, and a blessing.

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  3. Wow - Darlene and Wendy wonderful fabulous!! I also cannot believe you have almost completed your journey. Keep enjoying every minute!

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