Into the Darkness

You may have heard about the massive power outage in Spain and Portugal on April 28th. Yes, I am OK - better than OK.

There's something I've been putting off addressing directly. Instead, I've referenced it now and then in previous posts. So, here it is. Throughout this journey, there has been this invisible force/influence guiding me along. Upon entering Coimbra, I passed a Super Mercado. I still had about 40 minutes of walking but thought it was worth stopping for some fresh fruit - avocado, an orange, bananas, some protein bars, and a milk chocolate Easter bunny. No judgment. After all, cacao is a fruit! Yes, it was at the checkout.

Unbeknownst to me, the power must have gone out shortly thereafter.

The Camino, for the most part, staying on course has been relatively easy to spot the yellow arrows or blue tile Camino signs. However, every signal time I have missed a sign, there has been someone who appears to help get me back on course. Oscar and Adrianna were the ones today. They are from Columbia and were the first pilgrims encountered today after about an hour of walking. I had passed a turn, something inside me hesitated, then my mind not seeing one of the signs, said The Camino wouldn't go that way. Within a few steps, I see Oscar and Adrianna up ahead out of nowhere. We both greet each other, buen camino, and they ask if I am doing Camino Santiago, which I replied yes! They said you missed the turn. It is back behind you. Sure enough, there was a sign pointing up the hill. We crossed paths again, exchanged numbers, and got pictures. I hope to cross paths with them again.

Upon arriving at the hotel, the receptionist was in a surly mood, with the power being out and all. She had a printout of reservations but required a confirmation number to check in manually without power. I e plained twice that Tee Travel didn't provide me with confirmation numbers but that my luggage was transferred there and asked if it would be possible to look up the reservation by my name. She stated flatly no, she needs the confirmation number. After explaining and asking again, she said ok, what is your name, and quickly looked through her printout and stated there was no reservation. As I turned to leave, Yuri, from Norway, appeared with a map of the city and suggested a hotel near the university, which was quiet and quite nice. Really? Just knock me over the head, eh? So I still need to get to the hotel. I checked google Maps, and it is over a two hour walk. I tey Uber, it is working, how it was working when teying to call didn't work, well I'll let you decide on this one. Uber was 4 euro. Arriving at the hotel, I inquired about a room. The gentleman went to check and came back with 2 options - a smaller room with a twin bed or superior room with a king-size bed and a larger room. Guess which one I took? They checked me in without taking my credit card or cash.
The 1st hotel wasn't willing to help, and this 2nd hotel was very accommodating and understanding.
By this time, I was exhausted, so I took a nap before washing up and heading out to explore any options for dinner. Several larger restaurants were open serving drinks, and one had a generator - but no food. A small kebab shop was open, serving up hamburgers from a gas-powered grill. They put vegetables on their burgers like carrots and corn.

Power just came on!

The 1st time I noticed Gods hand along the way was passing by another sign in a small town and an old lady was sweeping in front of her cafe and started yelling at me in Portuguese. I don't know what she said, but replied obrigato on my way past her. That was several days ago.

Now, it's time to get an Uber to pick up my bag.もっと詳しく