5/19 to Ponte de Lima

Unexpected rain,
Phantom walkers in ponchos
Mucking through mud trails.

I sure didn't expect rain,
but at 4 a.m., the sky opened, and it poured. By the time I began walking at 6:00, the rain took a pause. The sunrise could be seen with the parting of the clouds. I'm walking through agricultural land, cobble stones, and trails and quaint villages now. I almost missed a yellow arrow because a school bus was parked before the path as it was picking up a school boy. I passed the bus and kept walking. A mother of the boy, who I hadn't noticed from across the street, yelled and pointed behind me, "Over there!" I blew her a kiss, thanking her, for she saved me from another back tracking. It showered off and on through the day. I kept the poncho accessible. The municiples are very basic. Someday, it's kind of hard enduring so much chatter. Especially the Italian men. They yell at one another, riveting words with such speed and force. It sounds like one could get hurt if you got in between their crossfire. My feet ache with blisters. I take my shoes off whenever I can and message my feet in the cool grass.Read more