Portugal Santarém

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  • Day 6

    4. Nap -Santarém- Golega /esőnap

    May 3 in Portugal ⋅ 🌧 18 °C

    Na a mai időjárás kevésbé volt változatos mint a tegnapi. Esett, esett és esett. Néha zuhogott, aztán néha csak csepegett. A napot nem sokat láttam de akkor meg annyira erősen tűzött, a párás levegőjével hogy majd megfulladtam...

    Mai útvonalam Santarém- Ribeira de Santarém- Vale de Figueira- Azinhaga-Golegã. Újabb 32 km-es etap, hozzátoldva a reggeli hotel-Útvonal távot 34,5.

    Santarémet már esőben, de a vár tövében egy kis hegyi ösvényen hagytam el, és szinte azonnal átértem Ribeira de Santarémbe, ahonnan a folyó felett felkelő nap még esőben is nagyon szép lávány volt. Innen egy ideig műúton mentem, aztán egy ponton le kell kanyarodni a szőlőültetvények közé. Vagyis kellene, mert éppen 4 kutya sétálgat kifele a tanyáról, és méregetnek hogy vajon én akarom őket bántani vagy ők engem? De mivel a hotelben kaptam egy sonkás sajtos szendvicset (amit induláskor betoltam hogy ne kelljen hurcolni a kis dobozát) meg egy almát, elővettem az almát és eszegettem amíg eloldalogtak 😀

    Ez amúgy egy nagyon szép része lenne az Útnak. Végre eltávolodunk a nagyvárosoktól, kis dűlőutakon sétálunk a szőlőültetvényeken és hatalmas gazdaságok földjein át... kivéve ha szakad az eső, mert akkor 2 bottal egyensúlyozva próbálunk az agyagos/sáros dagonyában nem seggre esni vagy kitörni a bokánkat, esetleg nem sípcsontig süllyedni a sárban. Nekem a második jutott.

    Embert, erőt, akaratot és lelket próbáló kihívás volt. A pocsolyakerülgetés, a sártól háromszorosra nehezedett cipő, a folyamatos ellentartás már kb 8 km-nél kivette az erőmet fizikailag és mentálisan is. Közben már éreztem hogy a cipőmben a víz is gyűlik, és nem lesz lehetősége kiszáradni, így felesleges zoknit cserélni, a zoknicipő meg kb bent maradt volna a sárban ha átveszem. Szóval maradt a küzdelem, ráadásul ezen a szakaszon nagyok a távolságok város és város közt, szóval be se tudok húzódni sehova.
    Néha volt egy egy jobb szakasz, de Vale de Figueiraig végig a sárbancuppogás volt a jellemző. A végér kicsit elállt az eső, de amint a faluba értem újra leszakadt az ég, olyan erővel, hogy elmosta az úton a lábamat kb. Mivel lépésben tudtam csak haladni eddig nem akartam megállni, ráadásul sok van még hátra, szóval mikor láttam hogy a templom sincs nyitva hogy kicsit kipihenjem magam, inkább továbbmentem.

    A városon túl újra a sáros folyó várt az ösvényen, szóval megy tovább a harc az elemekkel. Itt már azért egy pár km után normálisabb, kaviccsal felszórt dűlők jöttek, de azért figyelni kellett minden lépésnél. Viszont már néha fel tudtam nézni hogy hol vagyok, és szép tájakon vágtam át a lábam ele bámulva.

    Aztán 1 körül kicsit kisütött a nap, szóval gyorsan megettem az utlolsó csokimat mert kezdett elfogyni a kraft, és mire végeztem, és levettem a ponchot, meg a pulcsit egy tóparton, majd beértem Azingaha-ba ( a kettő közt 12 km van, szóval nem kis idő volt), ahol végre ma először, 6,5 óra gyaloglás után le tudtam ülni egy padra pihenni... Vagyis tudtam volna, ha nem kezd újra esni, szóval továbbindultam Goleghã felé, de közben olyan hideg szél lett hogy fázni kezdtem. A templom természetesen itt is zárva (nem is értem, nem nyitva kéne lennie a megfáradt vandorok előtt mindig, meg a hívők előtt akik betérnének imádkozni? ) szóval egy kapualjban gyorsan leaponchot-felapulcsit-felaponchot és tovább. Innen még 8 km Goleghã, menni kell mert fogy az erő, és leülni sincs hova.
    Hosszú, hosszú, néha napos néha esős kutyagolás következett a kövesút mentén. A zokni már szétáztatta a lábam, minden lépéshez akarat kell, de megyek tovább és tovább. Emberrel egész nap nem találkoztam, csak kocsiban, de nem is tudnék mit mondani, csak jussak el a mai szállásomra, ez a cél. Mígnem egyszer felűnik a tábla, ideértem. Több mint 8,5 óra megállás nélkül, de itt vagyok.

    Goleghã híres lovas város, de bikaviadalokat is rendeztek itt régen. Nagyon szép kis főtete van, mindenhol lovardák, sőt még a zebránál is 3 tábla van: gyalogos, lovaskocsi, lovasszekér veszély 😄

    Végigsétáltam majdnem az egész városon míg elértem a mai szállásomat. Tegnap, tanulva az eseményekből gyorsan foglaltam egy ágyat egy albergue-ben, az Inn Goleghã-ban. Jókat is írtak róla, közel van az Úthoz, és 24 EUR. Kaptam egy 2 ágyas szobában egy ágyat, egy Spanyol zarándokkal osztozunk a szobán, tiszta, rendezett kis hely, teljesen OK lesz mára.

    Forró zuhany, zoknimosás, és egy kis fetrengés után ideje ennem valamit. Idefele láttam egy kis Taberna-t, a tulaj szerint jó hely, odamegyek vacsizni. 3 perc séta csak de persze megint esik. Nem baj, zoknicipőben "átfutok", és bemegyek. Igazi kockás terítős helyi kis étterem-kocsma, körbe mindenhol bikaviadalos fotók és újságkivágások, a falon bikafej.
    Nem nagyon tudnak angolul , de a tulajnéni mutogat fotókat mit tud csinálni nekem, választok egy rántott valamit (kb kolbász csak rántva krumplival, rizzsel, tükörtojással, salátával) meg egy nagy sört, és leülök. A TV-ben megy valami bikaviadal, én meg bambulok ki a fejemből. A kaja jó volt, nem nagyon akarom tudni hogy készült, de az ízvilága teljesen jó volt. Közben beszédbe elegyedtem a nénivel aki főzte, kevés angolságával elmesélte hogy a férje, meg az apósa, meg az egész család amúgy torreador meg matador volt, amikor terhes lett, akkor vonult vissza a férje, azért ez a sok bikás kép, sőt megmutatta kik voltak családtagok a fotókon. 😃😃

    Kint a teraszon még ittam egy sört, beszéltem Zsuzsival meg Artival, aztán visszaevickéltem a szállásra. Még lenne kedvem meginni valamit, de a kisbolt 12 perc gyalog, ninca az az isten... 😁😁 A közös konyhában még nagy a ricsaj, hátha ad valaki valamit ha kimegyek😃😃
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  • Day 7

    Camino Day Four

    April 30 in Portugal ⋅ 🌧 55 °F

    Porto de Muge to Vale de Figueira
    ~27.5 km/17 miles

    A little longer day today, but it was mostly overcast and cooler - perfect for walking.

    We had a great breakfast at Quinta da Burra before setting out.

    Kelly and I walked together as far as Santarém where she split off to walk to Fátima, but not until we had a good lunch in a tiny café.

    Most of the day was spent walking amongst vineyards and green fields, then we had the climb to Santarém, which was the first real elevation change on this route. Along the way we saw a "Pilgrim Swing."

    I had booked a room at Casa das Laranjeiras, which was a very nice "Alojamento Local." The owner had texted me the code to the keybox and gave me my room number the night before, so I was able to enter as soon as I got there. Other than two cleaning women I never saw anyone else, and the owner asked me to put the payment in the night table drawer. It was nice and quiet, so I had a good night's sleep. 😴
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  • Day 6

    Camino Day 3

    April 29 in Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 64 °F

    Azambuja to Porto de Muge
    ~17 km/10.5 miles

    A much shorter day today. I walked with Kelly from the Netherlands. We had both booked Quinta da Burra in Porto de Muge.

    It was a much cooler day, with the possibility of rain, which fortunately didn't start until we were at our destination.

    Quinta da Burra is a lovely old home, and we had a private room and bath to ourselves. We had been advised to buy food in the prior town for dinner, so we got some frozen meals and other things.

    Later on a couple from Idaho, Todd and Kate arrived. They wandered next door to a winery, and came back with several bottles of wine.

    We all enjoyed our grocery store dinners with the local wine.

    Apparently I didn't take many pictures today!
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  • Day 5

    Camino Day Two

    April 28 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 55 °F

    Alverca to Azambuja ~ 28 km/17.5 miles

    As I was leaving at 7 am another pilgrim was just walking out the door - I learned that he was Ğirts from Latvia. We walked together all day to Azambuja. The first part of the walk was on a busy road, then it was fairly pleasant until Vila Franca de Xira where we had breakfast. The latter part of the walk was a long hot slog, mostly beside the train tracks. We had to take stairs to cross over the tracks three times, which was pretty much the only "uphill" walking we did.

    I didn't have anything booked in Azambuja because there's an albergue there with 16 beds that doesn't accept reservations. I didn't think that it would be too busy because we hadn't seen anybody else walking except for a couple from New Zealand who had stopped for a break. So I was quite surprised when I arrived at the Alberta a half an hour before they're opening time of 3:00 to find that all of the lower bunk beds had already been taken and I would have to take a top bunk bed. But the biggest surprise was when the hospitalero asked me if I knew about the problem with the electricity. I said I didn't know and he said there is no electricity here. I responded that maybe I should go to a hotel instead, and he said no, there is NO electricity anywhere in Portugal and that's when I found out that there was a massive power outage in Portugal, Spain, France, and Italy.

    Since their hot water system was electric that meant a cold shower. Being hot and sweaty that was better than no shower at all. I had resigned myself to sleeping in the top bunk when a couple came in and were told that there were no beds left but there was an overflow area at a preschool. When I heard that I asked if I could possibly go with them to the school. A young Dutch woman named Kelly also wanted to go to the school. It turned out that the school was a much nicer place to stay than the albergue. They brought out nice mattresses for us to put on the floor to sleep on. There was a kitchen, a bathroom and two showers with hot water because they used gas. Of course there was still no electricity but it was a much more comfortable space to be in than the albergue. I even sort of had room to myself! We found out that there was a grocery store in town that was open because they had generator so we all walked to there. We bought a whole chicken to share and some side dishes plus some fruit and other things to take with us the next day.

    Then around 8:30 the power came back on! I slept very well, especially knowing that the power had been restored.
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  • Day 8

    DAY 4 - To The Pain!

    April 22 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    Finally was out of the city and industrial congestion today and promptly got lost among grape vines and other crops - along with some sheep. Started out early as today was to be. a 30 Km (20 mile) journey. Saw the Camino sign first thing, then never again. I was lost the entire day, but on a path passing by sheep, vineyards, train tracks, - all through agricultural farm land! I met a hard working and nice man from Pakistan working the fields. Saw a few others along my lost way, but no pilgrims. My highlight was seeing the herd of sheep! It made trudging through muck and mud worth being lost all day. I made it all the way to Santarem, er, Vale de Santarem, about 5.5 miles from my destination before my knees and feet gave out. I’ ve had meniscus knee surgery (3x) and foot surgery on both feet (at the same time). I knew 20 miles would put me to the limit and it did. Ended up Ubering the final 8.6 km. I decided I’d get a few more miles once in Santarém exploring. - which I did. My toes on both feet were red and swollen as well as my rt knee swollen from an injury I suffered at the end of March while in Bozeman. My nightly therapy has been a homeopath lotion mixture of arnica oil, comfrey, and dmso along with a host of other anti-inflammatory ingredients in addition to PEMF therapy. Check out research on these items. I started pemf after my last knee surgery in August and I have had just a couple migraines since vs having a couple per week. Yes, I brought my pemf machine and a massage gun! After all we have 20 kg per bag!

    I also started using my hiking poles and they help tremendously. I am using Leki brand, but any brand would work as long as they are the
    Right size and are used correctly.

    I am recharging/refueling in Santarem for the next couple of days. It is a beautiful city - a walled fortress! Reminds me of San Gimignano in Italy. I will post tomorrow all things Santarem - Casa da Alacova, 12 century host that bleeds! You got to see this, simply breathtaking, and much more.

    Another absolutely amazing day in Portugal!
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  • Day 7

    Day 3 - Endure

    April 21 in Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    The word for the day is endure. It seemed like everyone I met on the Camino.
    felt the same - and I met/saw at least 1/2 dozen or more. We were all pilgrims traveling together today from the outset. The Camino took us through
    Agricultural and industrial areas of town. The smell of fertilizer mixed with diesel mixed with the stench of standing water might as well have been in the sewer!
    About 45 minutes in, I also took a wrong turn - check out my Oura pic and video. Was it me or was it the arrows leading me astray? Please leave your thoughts in the comments.

    It was at this point that it started raining and didn't stop until about 30 minutes out from Azambuja, I was at least prepared - or should have been. I started out late after checking the weather report, and rain was supposed to have stopped late .morning with clearing in the afternoon. So, most of us left late in the morning, and I didn't wear my waterproof socks as I had done the day before not needing them. I needed them today. Oh, well.

    We walked along a road parallel to the train tracks. You could feel the rush of air as trains passed at high speed. Then, there was the rush of vehicles passing on the narrow rainsoaked road.

    Stopped for lunch - steak, fries, and rice - chef choice. He spoke no English and I no Portuguese so Google Translate to the rescue.

    Finally, we got off pavement just after lunch and on a path made of dg. Hopscotching between puddles was better than hopscotching cars. Then The Way became a mud pit. That's where I let a fellow pilgrim be our fearless leader. Sometimes you lead, so.eti.es you follow, and so.etimes you work as a team to make it through as we ended up doing each through the mud pit (of despair).

    My lesson for today - just endure some days and be open to lead, follow, or work together as a team to make it through.

    It was a good day - not great, but good
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  • Day 9–13

    I'm fired.

    April 11 in Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 63 °F

    Today we walked from Santerem to Vale de Figueira. The beginning of the trail today took us outside the city walls and down a steep path into the valley. It had rained the night before and the path was very rocky and slippery. My hiking poles saved me from tumbling a few times. It was a 2 mile hike down to the bottom and back into the vineyards. And just then it began to rain again, making the whole route one huge puddle of slimy, slippery mud. Again, my poles kept me from falling a few times. This went on for about 4 or 5 miles before we hit asphalt, and coincidentally the rain finally stopped. What was amazing though, was how easy the hike was and how our packs felt like nothing on our backs. The last mile or so was uphill, and back into the sunshine and heat.
    This stage of the Camino is actually over 20 miles long, and after Vale de Figueira, there is nothing until Azinhaga, another 12 miles. There is also nothing but a café in V de F, so we decided to Uber to a town off the Camino to a hostel, then Uber back and continue tomorrow. Well I booked the hotel, and I swear I do not know how I did this, but I thought it was 3.5 miles away, turns out it was back past Santerem and another dozen or so miles away for a total of about 21 miles!!!!! And the booking is non-refundable. So, tonight we are in Alpiarca and tomorrow we will go back to the train station in Santerem and take the train to rejoin the Camino. And Jayme has fired me from ever booking our stays again!
    But, it is a cute town and we met a friendly bartender/pizza guy who spoke some English, served an incredibly large and tasty gin and tonic (for 5 euro) and was very interested in our story.
    One screw up, but overall a pretty good day.
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  • Day 9

    Day 6 - Arlene is fired!

    April 11 in Portugal ⋅ 🌧 63 °F

    “Some people walk in the rain, others just get wet.”—-Roger Miller

    Walked a little over 7 miles, mostly in the rain, to Vale de Figueira. Leaving Santarem the path led us down a narrow path through the woods that descended the hill upon which Santarem sat. Thankfully it was not raining yet but it was slippery from the previous night’s rain

    As we walked through the vineyards, yes more vineyards, the light drizzle turned into a steady rain and our ponchos came out giving us the appearance of Quasimodo. Even though it was raining and in the 60’s, the walk was invigorating.

    When the rain broke we found a semi dry place under a tree to eat our packed lunch. You forget how good a simple ham and egg sandwich on fresh bread can taste, washed down with a bottle of water

    When we finally made it to Vale de Figueira, since there were no accommodations, Arlene made reservations at a hotel she thought was only 3 1/2 miles off the path and the plan was to take Uber to hotel then Uber back to path in the morning

    Well Arlene has been stripped of her duties of finding hotels for us. The Uber ride was $25 euros and took us 20 miles off where we wanted to be. So we are spending the night in Alpiarca then in morning taking a train to Tomar to get back on the Camino path and then walk about 8 miles to Calvinos.

    We had a good laugh over a pizza dinner. And the bartender served me the largest gin on the rocks I’ve ever seen (he may have added some Sprite to it) and needless to say I did not drink it all!

    More rain predicted for tomorrow, but we will forge ahead.
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  • Day 8

    I'm in "WTF am I doing" mode.

    April 10 in Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 75 °F

    So, I chose to walk the Camino at this time of year, to avoid the heat of summer. Today was predicted to be in the high 70's with overcast skies all day and a 20% chance of rain. It started out overcast, but not cool and by noon was 80 and humid. By midday it was perfectly clear, 82, still oppressively humid and our walk was through farms and vineyards. Not a place to find shade. The constantness of being in the hot humid sun all day is beginning to take its toll. I am exhausted and having a hard time ignoring the piddly pains that come and go during the walk. Pilgrims say these days are the ones where the Camino challenges your brain. Today, my brain won out and convinced me it was just too hard.
    We made it Santerem, had a shower, a little rest, and dinner, and I am now ready to continue this challenge. But a few hours ago, I was ready to give up.
    Today we met an older gentleman from Amsterdam walking alone, a young man named La from So Korea, a group of about 20 Portuguese pilgrims from a church group on their way to Fatima, and 5 Australians and Canadians traveling together who were the least friendly pilgrims we have met til today.
    We also had our very first pilgrims meal. Bread, olives, water or wine, steak with an egg on top, French fries and rice, dessert and coffee or tea for 12,50euro. We added a salad and 2 cokes for an additional 3 50 euro. And it was a lovely restaurant with the nicest wait staff.
    Now that I am snuggled in bed with the ac on, all is once again right in my world. Ultreia!
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  • Day 8

    Day 5

    April 10 in Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 64 °F

    “Well I've been out walking, I don't do that much talking these days, these days.”—-Jackson Brown

    Walked 11 miles today to Santarem, Portugal. The walk again was mainly through vineyards and farms. It was overcast for a good portion of the day but when sun was out it was hot and humid! There was no cafes between our starting point and Santarem. But we had packed a sandwich and apple from the hostel we stayed at last night. Water was a concern but about a 1/3 way to Santarem there was a water fountain where we could fill up our bottles

    Met a Portuguese church group who was making their annual walk to Fatima from Azambuja. Although I think the heat got to them because we saw vans picking them up 1/2 way to Santarem where they said they were staying for the night

    I’m staying at a modern hostel and have a private room with bath. Feet and body are holding up. No blisters!

    I need to take pics of more locals. An elderly man who didn’t speak English but we could understand each other through limited phrases and hand gestures told me I needed a sun hat. I showed him that I had one and he said good. But I wish I would have taken his photo. His face was tan and deeply etched the way life has a tendency to do. And he had the most beautiful smile and sparkling eyes.

    Tonight had a lovely Portuguese pilgrim’s meal at restaurant the hostel recommended. Rice, pork steak with fried egg on top and a salad. All for 12,50 euros

    Another night falling into bed exhausted but feeling accomplished
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