Day 42 - A Coruña

What a wonderful, leisurely day we had today.

We started with a really nice breakfast at the hotel and then headed to the beach for a lazy day of relaxation. It rained on us for a little while, but the gentleman from whom we rented our lounge chairs kindly let us sit under the cabana (ok it was a tarp) while the shower passed. Thankfully, it didn’t last long. Afterward, the skies remained cloudy but warm, and eventually the sun came out and warmed us up again.

We spent most of the day there, taking little cat naps, listening to the waves crash onto the shore, and simply enjoying the peaceful atmosphere. Around 4:00 p.m., we decided it was time to head back to the hotel for a nice shower and to get dressed for dinner.

Later, we strolled along the waterfront by the harbor, passing several plazas that reminded me of my childhood growing up in Argentina. One of our favorite stops was a beautiful rose garden in one of the plazas. The roses were stunning, and some varieties were so unusual that they looked like five roses blooming together in a single flower. We took our time wandering through the garden and admiring all the different colors and shapes.

We knew there was a ship in port and wanted to watch it depart, so we spent some time walking and sitting on a bench, watching people stroll by. It was one of those simple moments that turned out to be really enjoyable. There is something special about sitting quietly, watching everyday life unfold around you, and appreciating where you are.

Before we knew it, it was almost 8:30 p.m., and we realized we hadn’t eaten yet. We found a restaurant in one of the plazas, and it just happened to have a television showing the Germany vs. Curaçao soccer match. It was fun watching the game while enjoying a glass of wine. The food was just so-so, although the Russian salad was delicious. We definitely need to do a little more research before choosing a restaurant next time, but we were so hungry that we simply picked the first place that looked good.

After dinner, we wandered back through some of the downtown alleys, which were full of restaurants and people enjoying the evening. Even though it was Sunday night, we were surprised to see so many people still out and about at 10:00 p.m. I suppose that’s just part of life in Europe—people enjoying the evening, taking their time, and making the most of a beautiful night.

It was a wonderfully relaxing day and a perfect way to enjoy our time in A Coruña. After weeks of walking the Camino, a day spent slowing down, listening to the ocean, and simply enjoying the moment was exactly what we needed.Read more