Good Afternoon.
Today started with a slight misstep. Just as I was patting myself on the back for not losing anything, I realized I didn’t have my phone. I was about a mile from last night’s hotel, so I reluctantly turned and headed back. Aaaaarrrggg! God really does have a sense of humor. Then I couldn’t find my hotel. Of course, I didn’t have my phone to get directions. I wandered all about looking for the hotel. It was down some unpaved roads, and nothing looked familiar from the day before. Plus, I couldn’t recall the name of the hotel. God sent me two German Camino Angels. The man teased me, nicely, about HOW could I forget my phone. They pulled up a map on their iPhones, and I was able to recognize it. I had walked all around it but never by it. I was only about 5 minutes away. I remembered exactly where I left it - I had set it on top of a suitcase that was waiting for transport while I adjusted my backpack. All in all, it added about 3 miles to my daily total. I was just thankful to find it.
This old piece of farming equipment sat atop a bed of flowers. It rained off and on for the first half of the day, and then I had beautiful weather.
The elementary school.
All of the streams had turned into raging rivers.
I could see this rainbow for almost the entire walk. Proof that God is always with us.
I found the perfect place for a little break.
This was near a school, and I like the message about diversity on the Camino.
I had quite a few trails today.
The Compostela de Santiago in the distance.
This man was playing the most beautiful music. It was almost ethereal. I didn’t recognize it.
At last - the cathedral. I did not go in because you are not allowed to enter with a backpack. Tomorrow, I will probably attend the Pilgrim’s Mass, which is always a special treat.
I am staying at the historic Parador de Santiago, which was originally the Royal Hospital (Hostal dos Reis Católicos), founded in 1499 by the Catholic Monarchs to provide shelter for pilgrims on the Way of Saint James. The project was completed in 1509. The building was a functioning hospital for four centuries before it was converted into a luxury hotel in 1954. Today, it still honors its original mission by offering free meals to the first ten pilgrims who request them daily after completing their journey. It is such an interesting place to stay and I always cherish a stay here. Tonight, when I came back from dinner, I couldn’t find the breadcrumbs I had left and wandered down the long halls looking for my room. Not a problem because there is art on every wall. (Partially from AI)
Saint James Statue in the lobby of the Parador.
My Australian friends invited me to dinner. It was pouring when I left the hotel, but I stayed dry thanks to my Camino umbrella. They suggested the Taberna do Bisbo, which turned out to be terrific. Our waiter allowed us to go to the tapas bar and point at the ones we wanted. Much easier for a non-Spanish speaker than ordering from the menu.
Ann, Tony, and I shared a bottle of wine and some excellent tapas. They are so much fun and such good company.
I first ordered these little sausages on bread.
And these Rice Crispie-looking things were brie cheese coated with macadamia nuts and deep-fried.
You can fry up an old tire, and it will taste pretty good, and these were beyond good, right into the edges of heaven.
I decided to order one more thing, so I chose these sausages. I have consumed so many carbs, fries, and sweets since being on the Camino that I was desperate for some protein. I brought two of them home in a box.
Ann ordered a fruit cup that looked wonderful.
As usual, Good Night and God Bless - until tomorrow!
No comments:
Post a Comment