Day 35: Melide - Brea

Despite a lovely, quiet room, I didn’t sleep a lot. I stretched and got out of bed as I heard the others in my room get ready. I had breakfast with M, a Korean girl I had met weeks ago on the French route (!) and then made my way out of town. It was still darkish as I turned to look back. You can see the stream of pilgrims... are they tired? Rested? Ready? Hungover? Excited? Bored?

And more amazing sunrise colors. :)

I soon ran into B, from Oregon and we chatted and met up with a few other family members at a coffee stop. The way felt busier, but not overly crowded. I had plenty of alone time and saw lots of Camino with no one else on it. 

And landscapes like this. 

Here I am in Ribadoso; a nice Basque man took my picture after we talked and walked for a bit. 

(I stayed in this village last year.)

But, there were also signs that we are on a more populated trail. Whoa! 

I made it farther than I thought, but not as far as some of my friends. I’m in a tiny village called Brea. A family here runs a little pension. I’m in a room for 4, but there are only 3 of us. There are a few other guests in private rooms. 

The facilities include gracious hospitality, a garden, swimming pool (!!!) and home-cooked dinner. This was some of the best food I’ve had on the Camino. 

News: I booked a small hotel and committed to arriving to Santiago tomorrow. Tomorrow! More on that... tomorrow. 

Kilometers walked: 26.66 (Fitbit), 44.49 (Buen Camino app, another bug, though 44 would be hardcore!).

Day 34: San Román da Retorte - Melide

The traditionally built stone albergue was comfortable and quiet. I awoke just before my alarm, made a green tea, ate peanuts and rice cakes from C and was out walking with the moon by 8. 

The sun soon made her appearance too. 

I left before my family since it was a long day (and I tend to take more breaks) and so that I could have a little sola time on the Camino (last day of the pure Primitivo experience). I thought a lot about change. The Camino vibe was changing, my daily routine is soon to change... and oh yeah, my post-Camino life. 

I crossed a lot of bridges today. I remembered the Galician folklore (witches can't cross bridges) and considered bridges as linking or transition points. 

(Notice Santiago just after this bridge.)

My family walked ahead and behind me and I like knowing they are there and meeting up at rest stops, but much of the day I was alone with amazing landscapes like these. 

And I saw Camino cows!

I arrived at 4, after 8 hours on the road. The town was quiet - siesta time on a Saturday. I took care of my daily personal errands, visited the supermarket for reinforcements, ran into friends from the Francés and Primitivo and had a great dinner here. 

I'm 51 k from Santiago, two days, or three easy days. I'm still not sure which option I'll take, but I'll get there. The way is the destination. 

Kilometers walked: 27 (Fitbit), 29.85 (Buen Camino app). Friends' guidebooks state 30. I'm calling it that. :)