Valenca Rest Day

At breakfast, the valley was covered in fog and gradually bits cleared, whisps meandered by the bulwark outside the window. Mountains appeared, then towns, then fields, then the river Miño. The early sun sent long shadows from the yew trees. The beauty I’m seeing touches me.

Here at the top of the Valencan hill is a large earthen fortress. It encases the old city which is bustling with stores and restaurants and a few places to stay. My hotel at the north end is almost the highest place. Apparently bus loads of tourists from Spain and Portugal shop for deals here, mostly textiles. Towels, sheets, aprons, couch covers. Up scale clothing. I guess its the Outlet Mall of the old world.

Two ladies were about to take a picture, with the Tui, Spain, cathedral in the background. I didn’t know what they were saying, but you know the gestures. I, speaking in English of course, augmented my words by pointing at myself, their phone, and the both of them. Universal language. They gestured and said something and I had a picture of me. I said “obrigada,” Portuguese for Thank You. And they said “gracias”.

Inner Journey: walking is off the table, and that feels so good. I sat down with my itinerary and looked for very short walks that put me at a cafe where hopefully, a taxi or Uber can find me. On the road to Armentaria, its all up hill. Big hill. Oh heck no! That will be a ride from start to finish. So I’ve got my journey roughly planned for greater ease for the next week.

Its like life, you have plans and dreams and something happens and you adjust. Its just life and its ok. No regrets, no disappointments, no excuses.Read more