Day 13: Cessantes to Pontevedra, Spain
It was old home week at dinner tonight after another long day of up and down hiking in the sun. We were having a lovely dinner with our friend from Denmark that we walked with on day 4 or so, then our Canadian friends from the magical night in Casa Fernanda walked by, then the Irish couple, and finally the Brazilian couple we just met two days ago or so. Such a meeting could not have been predicted, but is common on the Camino.
We left our true Albergue and started the day’s hike that was more up and down then I had been expecting. On the way we caught up with our Brazilian friends who are quite a cute couple. Afterhe translated and insistes on sharing a personal story just for us – we find it is a funny Brazilian joke! We videotaped it, so we can share it later. We all laughed and that got us in good spirits to attack the next steep rocky hill. As we ascend we notice our Brazilian friends are actually reciting the Rosary in Portuguese together. Seems like a sort of meditation they have chosen. When we asked about it at the next stop, he said they were giving a prayer to Siri and me.
As we are reminded, there is lots of support along this path.
There are also lots of vendors. It seems some entrepreneurs have really taken to the commercial side of this pilgrimage. One posted – free stamp! – and then had her handmade wares for sale including pins, magnets and even a yo-yo. Others are more direct with what is desired, as our Irish friend said, “I could hear the generator, so I knew there would be some cold beer at the top.” And he was right.
As we finally make or way into Pontevedra, we have moved from quiet country roads, sometimes dirt paths or well maintained cement trails, into full urban walking on sidewalks. We choose the river route which will take us a bit longer, but will keep the forest vibe just a bit longer – even as we pass under the freeway.
We arrive into this older town and stay on the pedestrian walking street, where the restaurants have spilled into the pathway. We are hot, tired, with sore feet, and are just looking forward to a shower when another friend calls us over to sit, relax and join her group. We hesitate and politely say no. Later, we both realize we have made a mistake. We should have said yes, always say yes to a welcome invitation, and so it is another lesson and reminder for us in our Camino which we will put into practice the next day.
We text our Denmark friend and meet for dinner and that is when the evening ends on a high note of mini-reunions.
We finish the evening in an Irish pub, in Northern Spain, drinking good German beer, with the Canadians and the Irish couple.
Siri and David Adventures 