You just never know what a day may bring. Im in an area of Spain called Galicia. It is very mountainous and has some of my favorite hiking yet. Some back ground information about the Camino de Santiago. Back in Saint Jean where this hike started I stopped at the Pilgrim office and picked up my Credencial del Peregrino. Peregrino means Pilgrim. Any one hiking this trail is a pilgrim of the Camino. During the day when you stop to eat or at night when you stop to sleep we get our credentials stamped. In order to get a reduced rate, or Pilgrim rate you must show your credential book. In Santiago where the official Camino ends you go to the Pilgrim office and show them your completed book of stamps. In my case two books. They will then issue you a Compostela. Basically a document of completion declaring you a pilgrim of the Camino de Santiago. Started my day atop a mountain. Hiked through fog for first hour. Once the sun emerged a gorgeous landscape emerged. Cows, sheep, chickens and numerous dogs were our companions. I had to bribe one German Shepherd with a bit of cereal before it let me pass. About two hours into my day I stop at a cafe for strong coffee and a pastry. I usually eat a large Pilgrim meal mid afternoon and no supper. A Pilgrim meal is really two meals in one. Im sure youve all heard the saying till the cows come home here in Galicia towns, the cows actually come home right through the streets of the town. Barns are located right off Main Street and the street is covered with cow piles. Some folks complained about the smell but I rather enjoyed it. We had planned to be in Samos at a Monastery tonight but we never got quite that far. Our guide book showed a newly restored monastery building near a tiny mountain hamlet called Lusio. The monastery has 60 beds and was recently restored for 2 million Euros. The problem is that it is off the beaten path. You actually do go over the river and through the woods. Then you leave the beaten path and wander deeper into the unknown. There are only three of us here tonight. It is an amazing building with lots of history. I discovered an outbuilding containing several ancient chariot frames. Nearby we heard a tractor roar to life and a farmer was backing a trailer into a small building containing his cows. He was bringing freshly cut grass to feed his herd and the next thing I knew I was on back of the trailer with a fork in hand. Some actual physical labor took place. I suppose hiking 15 to 20 miles a day could be considered labor as well. Thats todays news. Not much happened but lots of living took place.
Posted on: Fri, 05 Sep 2014 17:37:40 +0000
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