Dear classmates, please read- I’m Going to be in Santiago on Friday, and trying to get people to go in on a suckling pig for dinner after cochinillo ceremony. Let me know if you’d like to join so we can make reservations.

Bused to Ourense today and will be heading over to Tui tomorrow,  from the Via de la Plata to the Portugués. From the bus this way back to Santiago seemed hilly and not so interesting.  It could have been the tiredness that caught me, of course. Yesterday Michaela kept talking about being very tired, first time on her walk, she said. Maybe the walking and emotions of arrival caught up with us. By going to Tui I can also spend the first big (or so it’s predicted) day of rain riding a train.

One nice little time in Santiago bus station.  A pilgrim walked by, I waved, she acknowledged me and went on to buy her ticket. Later she came back and sat down. “This is not the first time a complete stranger has said hello on this trip.  It’s very nice.” A few tears welled up. “That wouldn’t happen back home in Germany.” We shared some of the personal moments from our walks and our agreement about there being a lot, lot, lot of laughter around the tables in Santiago populated by pilgrims. Brief, gentle, very nice moment.

Triacastela to Siarra

Real scorcher today, almost took blistering heat to a litteral level. Looking forwards to climbing a mountain tomorrow!

I don’t know what I did…perhaps I actually pronounced my Spanish properly or the hospitelario liked my smile, either way.. I got a kick-ass room at Roots & Boots Lugo. ‘Lug’ which is Celtic for Sun God.

Staying here to take in the sites then it’s off on the primitivo for a couple days working my last 100 into Santiago and then onto Finisterre.

I am resting up as I plan to challenge myself to more km then I have done this far.

Leaving Ponferrada, was the easy part today as we winded through the mountains on curvy roads that spiraled up and down and through plains of vineyards. The sun was a great asset to have as it reminded us the day grew older and older after every stop we made. The beating of it on your forehead was equal to burning your flesh just barely with the stove or the oven! Happy to be in the shade and slightly wet from my hair dripping on the back of my shirt!

Appreciate the miles of vineyards, because without them, there wouldn’t be the best vino tinto I’ve ever tasted in my hand currently!

buen camino

i’ll be in santiago tomorrow.

O Perdrouzo

Tomorrow, Santiago.

Crazy.

In O Pedrouza.

Last night before Santiago. Just 20k away.