Day 10 - Long Day; Nice Walk

The hills started early today as we left PortoMarin.  Early on the way out I ran into Lady Sarah, Sir Anthony and Dave.  Shirley was transported by Taxi (I think) to the next location and would be waiting there for the others to show up.  Lady Sarah has been having troubles with her new iPhone - watching the wheel spin as it tries to upload the large pictures to the iCloud.  I have found that the Internet service is touch-and-go here.  Some places you get good signal and lots of bandwidth; others - not so much.  I couldn't help much - but just listened.  As we got a little further up the hill, Lady Sarah indicated that I should go on as she was going to slow down a little.

I had the great pleasure to walk most of my day with Dave.  Although he is from

 Eastern Canada, I tried not to hold it against him.  Found out later that he was born in Calgary.  I'm not sure what worse combination I could get - a native Calgarian and

now a Torontonian.  I know he's going to read this so, Dave, careful how you comment or some of the things we talked about today that were OFF limits for the blog - may end up in it.  Actually, what I would have to say about Dave (and Shirley for that matter) is that they are extremely genuine and kind people.  I would have no trouble being their next door neighbor (if it was in Western Canada that is).  We hit a lot of subjects today, many of them personal.  I am going to have to go to therapy to have the image of Dave in a fishnet shirt and shorts removed from my memory banks. I feel a little like "Jack" in the movie "The Way".  

One guy I ran into again today was Brian, and this time I made sure to get a photo with him.  Brian and I walked up to O'ceierbo together in what was a torrential

downpour, mixed with Gail force winds.  I am pretty sure it snowed a little as well as we attempted to make the accent through what was now a river of mud and horse poop.  Brian was wearing running shoes and as I first came upon him - I watch him attempting to tip-top up the hill - trying not to get his feet too wet.  This was a loosing game.  we passed each other a few times and in both instances I think we were in shock.  I will never forget Brian looking at me as we attempted to check into the same accommodation and saying, "Can you believe that?"  We both were drenched, water dropping from our faces.  I created a puddle just standing at the counter of rain water running down my clothes.  I think we are now O'ceierbo brothers.  Brothers for life.

I am finding it hard to know at to take pictures of as I walk.  Most of the scenery is stuff that I have seen all along.  Green fields, trees, winding roads, stacked rock

dwellings.  All these things you have seen before in the various pictures that I posted.  The scenery is stunning to say the least and the trails wind through various parts of it.  I like it when it leads through a grove of mature trees.  They protect you from the wind/rain/sun (depending on what is happening at that very moment).  The weather here reminds me of that in Alberta.  If you don't like it - wait 5 minutes.  Today we had a little rain - enough to make Dave and I stop and put on our rain jackets.  We only had them on for about half an hour and it had slowed enough for us to be able to remove them and continue on.  Looking at the picture to the right - you couldn't tell you were not in BC.  The trail was much busier now as there have been a lot of people joining in from Sarria.  This is the closest point that you can walk the Camino and get a Compostela (certificate of completion). It's a little hard to watch some of these people in shorts and T-shirts, walking with a tiny little bag and running shoes go down the path.  Their bags are taken by taxi/bus to the next hotel which was booked for them.  I kinda like my Camino experience knowing that I Cary everything I need (except food of course).  I guess each person's Camino is their own.  It's funny to see them hobbling around the destination when they get arrive.  You remember back to your first few days when the stiffness and soreness was almost unbearable.  I still get sore - it's just that it goes away a little faster than when I started.

It was a 24.8 Km day (27.0 if you adjust for the ascent) and I was feeling pretty good.  Dave and I walked together until Eirexe which was where Shirley was waiting for

him at the hotel they had reserved.  They are still deciding what to do as a result of Shirley's swolen knee.  Dave found Shirley and she came out and we had lunch together.  This would be the last day I think we will see them as we were going another 7 Km's further that day.  If we are lucky - we may see them in Santiago on Tuesday - they day after we arrive there (monday).  Dave bought lunch (thank-you again Dave) and after a handshake from Dave and a hug from Shirley I was on my way.  This time alone.  For the first time since I started the Camino, I grabbed my iPod, and popped my ear buds in and listened to music while I walked.  Most of the other times there were people around to talk to.  It was nice - and I picked up the pace as I listened to a couple of up beat songs.  It was kinda nice to just walk on my own.  I can see why people come to the Camino by themselves and just walk - because you are never really alone.

Arrived in Palms de Rei well before Brenda and Jim.  Found us a nice Casa with a private room for three for 55 Euro.  Tell me where you can find a room in Canada for 25 Canadian Dollars?  I have noticed that the price of things here in Spain is very resonable.  It would be a neet place to come back to and visit (with my wife of course).  Had a shower, washed a few articles of clothing in the bath tub using my body wash for the soap.  ditched the other soap I had because I was trying to lighten my pack.  Brian (who I introduced you to earlier) has a method he uses to clean his clothes.  He puts a little extra shampoo in his hair and then he was he his hair with his underware.  You read that correctly.  His underware.  Not sure I'm even going to attempt that!

Went out for dinner to a nearby place and I had a Spanish omlet.  The waiter warned

me that it was big.  It was.  Very big.  8 eggs.  I barely finished it.  However, plenty of calories stored up for tomorrow - another 25 Km day.  Ron, the missionary guy who is walking the Camino to raise money for his inner city mission in New Jersy, said that when he gets home he's going to write a book and call it: "How to loose weight, the Camino Way".  You just need to walk 25 Km every day and then you can eat whatever you want.  Truly - my fit bit is registering that I'm burning somewhere between 5000 and 5500 calories a day.

It's a little sad to realize that this will come to an end (if all goes well) in three days.  It's has been an amazing experience.  I'm not sure I've processed it all yet - and it may take me some time to do that.  What I can say is that I'm very glad I came.  We might try and organize a small dinner for those who have we've in and out of our story for Monday as one last hooray before we all go about separate ways.

I need to share one more picture with you that Jim took of Ron and me.   I started to laugh when I saw it and realized that it looked like I was walking with one of the guards from the vatican.  That Ron is a crazy guy!

Until tomorrow.

Buen Camino

Curt