Day 11 - Octopus for Lunch

Another longer day on the trail but as you can see from the picture to he left, we are losing elevation as we go.  I can tell you that you would never know that as you walk!  There are places that are very heavy uphill climbs.  So much so that it almost always feels like you are walking up hill.

The morning was foggy, but you could just tell today was going to be a good weather day.  With the cool air and the mist in the morning, it was perfect to start off in shorts and the ol' double shirt (a Marino Wool one and a quick dry one over top).  The streets were dry, which was another thing we had not seen for a

View from the Window

while.  It's no wonder things are so green here - it rains a lot!  As I was getting ready I looked down and saw both Ann (78) and Ron (67) leaving separately.  Boy, those two get an early start.  I eventually caught up to Ron and passed him as I was by myself at that point.  He was with two ladies, which seems to be the case with him.  Ron knows a lot of people on this path.

The weather was incredible today.  No rain at all.  Although, the heat makes having water available a little more important.  I have not seen too many fountains for the last few stages.  I really liked these as I would fill my portable small bottle and then drink it all so I would not have to use the water in my Camel Back. I am not complaining - just trying to describe the difference between walking in the rain and walking in the warm sun.  Tomorrow is supposed to get even warmer.

After I walked ahead of Brenda and Jim I came across this man who was walking slowly.  As is the custom when you pass someone on the Camino, you wish them a "Buen Camino".  I did this and when he answered - it sounded like he was and English speaking individual.  I asked him,  "Do you speak English?"  And he replied he did.  So we began to chat.  Who would have thought that I would have to come all the way to Spain, walk over 250 Km's (thus far) to talk to a gentleman from Edmonton.  This is Jeff.  He builds a few homes in Edmonton.  We had a great chat about the difficulties of building homes in Edmonton and shared some horror stories about trades as well as some of the good stories.  We also had a longer chat about Prostate cancer.  It appears as though this may be something that he may be facing in the near future.  I'm glad I could pass on some of my experiences.  His comment to me was that he learned more in the the last 30 minutes than he has talking to the doctors for a few weeks.  He started his walk in Saria and his girlfriend is driving a car from place to place - getting the hotel when she arrives and texting him the info.  He was pretty sore.  I told him that it would subside in a few days.  As he mentioned this I thought this might be a fun thing to do with my wife and maybe one other couple.  Me and the guy could do the walk, and Lauren and the girl could drive to the next destination and get things arranged.  Who knows...

There were many sights to see along the way.  This cross had a numberfrom rocks left behind on it.  I guess the folks who started from Saria would not have been to the Iron Cross - the place many stones get left behind at.

You see many of these structures along with the farm houses along the way.  One of them was open today and showed that it houses corn.  I guess then leave it in there to dry and to protect it from animals who would eat it if it were left outside.

Lunch today was at a very well known place in Melide.  It's a place that specializes in Pulpo - Aka Octopus.  When you walk in the door you can see them cooking them in large pots at the front of the establishment.  I watched the cook remove one of them with a set of tongs and then use what looked like a large pair of scissors to cut the tentacles into quarter size pieces.  They then season it with a spicy smoked paprika and salt, along with some olive oil.  Wow.  They were fantastic.  Brings a whole new meaning to a meal that 'sticks to your ribs'.  It was Goken who recommended this place - and it was truly fantastic.  I actually started beside the two Australian gents I met a few days before while I had mine (Ian and Joe).

In the middle of my journey today I came across another Roman bridge.  These things are amazing.  It's hard to believe that something can be built by human hands and last over a thousand years.  Quite the structure!  The last hour of my journey I had caught up to a lady that Ron introduced me to - her name is April.  She's a physicians aide in Ohio and has walked the Camino from France (all 800 KM's).  It was interesting to get her perspective on crossing over the mountains at the France/Spain border.  We came to Rabidiso and she stopped at the local Albergue.  I checked, but there were no private rooms - so I carried on up the hill to the next place - Arzua.  I was not a popular person as this made the journey nearly 28 Km's today.  Although I bargained my way back into the good books by giving some extra strength Tylenol and a few Peptobismol chews.  There is also the fact that we won't have to walk up the large Hill that leads into this city in the morning.

Only two more days until Santiago.  It's hard to believe that we have some this far.  We have been telling people that anyone who gets to Santiago on Monday, that we will meet at the central cathedral at the entrance facing the Paradox (hotel) at 6:00 PM and go for dinner together as a celebration of completing the Camino.  It will be interesting to see who shows up.

Tomorrow is a shorter day - less than 20 KM.

Thanks for the information Blue Monk.  May utilize some of that.

Buen Camino

Curt