Day 27: Walking Out Towards the Meseta

25k👣 17Z
13.6km/8.5mi

Woke at 8 so as to be ready to breakfast at 9 and then head towards the Meseta. We breakfasted INSIDE at the same place as yesterday and were joking that the waiter seemed much happier when he didn't have to step out from behind the bar. 😜

We remembered we wanted to make our train reservations today, possibly asking our hotel's concierge for help if the train app was too unweildy. But Eric was able to make it all work, so we are good for the 12:52pm train to León tomorrow. 🎉🎉

We finally actually left town around 10:35am. It was intriguing walking the Camino in reverse. We'd see a yellow arrow, turn to where it would make sense to see it from, and look for more clues. Abby had her app up, and that was a great help, too.

We didn't exactly know when we'd turn around and head back to Astorga, and it sure was fun answering people who told us we were heading the wrong way. 🤣 Met lots of interesting people from Vancouver, BC, Vermont, Minnesota, Sweden, S. Korea, etc.

Our turnaround point came up quite naturally. This fellow had started this rest stop (on Google Maps as a "pilgrimage place.") He'd started it (with God's help, he added... and then corrected himself, saying that God started it with his help) about 15 years ago, but that it was run by a bunch of men now. It was a very hippie, very cozy & comfortable place, with chairs and big-wheel tables and rest benches. And he served up coffee, juices, fruit, and all manner of yummiest, all donativo.- Somebody had put in a €50 bill!

Stopped into the same cafe bar we had taken our morning break at for a bathroom break on the way back. Of the 16 customers in there, I was the only woman, and there was only 1 other pilgrim. Everyone else was an old man, playing cards, reading the newspaper, or otherwise chewing the fat. Slice of life on the edge of the Meseta.

I was pretty beat on the way back, but this is the most I have walked in a while. We stopped in at a so-called Irish pub in town for supper. Doubt most Irish pubs would serve Caldo Gallego (Galician stew) or paella marisco, but we ordered both of those to share. Both were DELISH!!

8:30pm now, and both Joe & I are ready to snuzz. 😜 Meeting Ron & Ann tomorrow for breakfast here and then on to León we go!Meer informatie