On to Sarria! Pt 1

The weather has gotten cold in the low 50’s and rainy.

Regardless, everyone seems excited to move ahead and arrive to Sarria.

In order to qualify for the Compostela you are to walk 100km from Sarria to Santiago. We have already walked way over that on this pilgrimage but the qualifying starts at Sarria. They require the pilgrim to receive minimum two stamps per day from Sarria to Santiago in your pilgrim credential to show your travels. They do review your other stamps to see where you have traveled from. Once you get to Santiago you present your credentials to the pilgrim office and they certify your completion.

There are a mix of emotions, happy to be close to the end (so it would seem, Not even close! 🤣), curious about the new energy of more Pilgrims on the trail and the energy they bring to the Camino. I am also wondering what will I experience in the last 100 Kilometers, what will the terrain on the trail be like?

The walk started out slow. I took my time because I wanted to make sure I didn’t slip on any mud or grass or COW POOP 💩 .

Something I hadn’t mentioned is there has been cow, goat, sheep, donkey and dog poop in a lot of the places we walked through. Even when you don’t see it, it’s been there.

So when I lay my backpack down I need to be mindful of where I put it and ensure my drinking water tube and bag are not sitting in a poopy place. Also the trekking poles that we are touching have been in contact with the ground and we are constantly touching all the areas of the sticks to adjust them. Washing hands is very important .
🐮 🐶 🐓 🐑 🐐 💩 everywhere.

Today’s walk would be extra poopy and smelly.

It was a quiet walk. I was told to enjoy the quiet now because once I arrive to Sarria it will be loud and full of energy.

A lot of Birds singing this morning. Misty cold air and drizzling rain. Cows in all colors and sheep in the fields.

On the map it showed lots of villages on the way to Sarria so I figured I’d have a good day rest breaks consuming coffee con leche and tortilla Español, Nope!

Each village was a ghost town. Nothing open. Some other Pilgrims and I found a vending machine in a medeivel village and nothing much in it. I said let’s walk to the edge of town maybe we just luck out.

Sure enough there was a bohemian Pilgrim stop. There was this huge door and young man standing there. He greeted everyone that was walking by and as I approached him he said “hello my name is Oscar.”

I looked at the table with food and saw hard boiled eggs!! Yes!!!

Oscar said “I can make you a coffee would you like one?” I said “really? Wow ! Yes thank you!” I sat down in a make shift outdoor garage living room. The place also had a garden and lots of art work and musical instruments.

Oscar brought me my coffee. His eyes were piercing I don’t know how to describe it exactly. My friends were ready to leave, I told them I was going to sit a little longer.

I went to find the toilet and realized it was an outdoor toilet. There is a sign that says do not poop in toilet and you are beautiful!🤣💜

Zoom in to read all the signs.

I was getting very comfortable at this stop and the folks like Oscar were very friendly and kind. However, I was getting an odd vibe. Nothing inappropriate. I just kept looking around and as I observed I got kind of a cult vibe. I thought to myself well it might be a cult, but nobody wants an old 56 year old in their cult and As I took my last sip of coffee con leche …..I thought, 🤔 unless they do!!! 😳

So……………

I finished up and thanked Oscar for his hospitality gave him a hug dropped a few euros in the Donativo bucket and off I went walking. 👣 💜🙌 ☮️ Buen Camino!

To be continued next post……Read more