Ponferrado

After a full night of pounding rain, wind, lightening that was to and did continued all day. We chose LIFE. Haha. The mountain trail has rocks, mud and roots and that’s on a good day! We chose to keep our knees, not end up in the hospital or worse!
As we had some’ down time’ after our regularly planned early 7am breakfast, we planned. We heard 2 helicopters take off in the torrential storm. Rescue is all we could think. 😞💕
After giving up a potential trip to the hospital on a torrential rainy day with high wind’s and lightening. We arranged for a cab to take us to the next town. Only we risked our lives with a very experienced Spanish Taxi driver.
OMG! With most pilgrims traveling by taxi today, this guy was a bullet!! Not enough drivers and high demand. He was on What’sapp on the curves. He did pull over for a call. Only to explain the call would’ve dropped if he hadn’t. 🤔. When he finally passed a non-Spaniard on a curve, Tammy and I had to grab each others hands!!! Hahaha. The Camino provides is a saying. In this case it was apparently to get our heat rate up for the day.
We arrived safely at our town, Pongerrada, which I will go into in a moment. We have great lunch, incredible ceviche and asked for wine. A bottle arrives! I love this town. 😅. Really a great meal on the plaza mayor (main plaza)
After, we checked in, I walked into our bathroom and teased that ‘ We need another room! This one is all marble AGAIN!! We shouldn’t have to put up with marble again!! Hehehe.
Apparently , it’s that inexpensive here! The floors and walls are marble. We payed about €25 each for our 2 twin beds and bathroom. Can you believe it!? I am blown away!! Those more traveled would probably not be impressed. I am still impressed.,😉
As for Ponferrada, we are staying in the old part of town. I have no interest in the new buildings. And thank heaven, Tammy, who took it upon herself to book it all ( thank you sleepless nights), feels the same about history and beauty! Thank you, Camino sister!!
In Ponferrada there is a Templar Castle ( 12th to 13th century). It is several blocks to get all the way around! I could hardly stop taking photos!! There are so many beautiful buildings.
Ponferrada , at one point it is said to be one of the most important Roman settlements due to location. The original bridge ( which no longer exists) but which the town is named after was built in 1082. The area just fills me!!Read more