Melde to Arzua

Yesterday afternoon we visited the church, Santa Maria de Melide after we showered.  Compared to many of the churches and cathedrals we have visited, it was rather plain but I never met a church that I didn't think was beautiful. It dates back to the twelfth century.  Melide is where the Camino Frances joins with the Primitivo so the whole atmosphere changed.

Above are Scott and Robert.  Scott is from Chicago and Robert is from Northern California.  They were really fun.  Scott has 38 years as a flight attendant for American Airlines.  He and I discussed that he was in the same  token boat as when I became a police officer.  He was the most enthusiastic boy scout leader I have ever met.  Both his sons were Eagle Scouts but he continues to teach scout leader classes and go on wilderness retreats.  Scott and Robert have been friends since they were eleven.

I started off today as the grumpy hiker.  I miss those long walks of solitude and quiet.  There are hundreds of hikers, most walking the last 100 kilometers.  It has suddenly become loud and, okay and admittedly rather fun and party like. When I am not feeling grumpy.  Bars are frequent and alcohol is plentiful, as you can see from the above way marker.  Many of the markers had alcohol bottles on top and around them.

 I love these trumpet flowers!  I think they are so pretty.  They are a good six to 8 inches long.

 Above is the church of Santiago.  Dennis and I stopped and got our pilgrim passports stamped.

We are still in an agricultural area and cows are plentiful.  I think these black and white dairy cows are so pretty!

And if you are going to have cows, you must have plenty of feed corn.

Dennis and I stopped at a little bar and he ordered a Galacian empanada which are baked in big sheet pans.  He ordered an empana atún which means tuna.  It also had chopped eggs and some red bell peppers.  They are quite tasty and every country makes empanadas can trace them back to Galacia.

 We walked along the Rio off and on all day.  There is nothing more peaceful that the song of a stream.

Back to the real world!  I have not seen a lavandaría on my entire journey and I was running out of clean clothes.  The interesting thing about Spain is that the washing machine automatically adds the soap.  

We are now in Arzua with what seems like a millions hikers.  Now I see some Americans and Canadians and I have to believe that we are the fattest of the nations.  We have seen a number of people that we find it hard to believe they will make even 100 kilometers. And if you ever go on a Camino, remember that the Spaniards think it rude to clack clack clack your sticks (hiking poles) on the concrete through town.  So now we head for our afternoon glass of Albarino and Rioja!     

¡Salud!