Livin' the life!
BagLady
Saturday, June 28, 2014
Coast of Portugal
June 20, 2014
North of S. Pedro de Moel
We've been wandering our way southward through the sweetest rural villages and coastal towns camping near the beaches. The coast is not built up like in the States. Just a few beach towns with condos. I'm sure it gets worse the further south we go. People are friendly and honk and wave. Some stop to chat, but if they don't speak English the conversation is short. The fruits we're finding along the way are how I remember them from my childhood. Peaches and nectarines dripping with juice as I eat them. Delicious sweet black cherries. Yummy plums. Just wonderful. And always an enjoyable exchange with the vendor. I'm finding often French is their 2nd language and I haven't forgotten too much from my summer abroad 45+ years ago.
I'm having some leg issues. Pain above and below the inside of my left knee. And it goes between a 4 and a 10 in pain levels. I've learned some muscle releasing techniques to use on "pissed off" muscles (as my muscle guy refers to them). And I've begun leg strength balancing exercises he taught me before I left. And then there's ibuprofen! I think the 2 months of hiking first has messed things up but I feel confident I can resolve the problem. Won't be able to take any time off for another week when we get to Lisbon. Then we should have a week off the trikes between Lisbon and London.
June 23, 2014
Peniche, Portugal
We got rained on yesterday for the first time in forever! Decided to quit early when it stopped for awhile and found a great wild campsite nestled in some pine trees. Even put up the tarp to sit under.
A quick jaunt to the cliffs' edge and we came upon this view.
Imagine photo here...it won't upload, again...
And later, back for sunset.
And another here...
Today though was such fun. After winding down the coast breakfasting at an overlook, we wandered into another quant Portuguese town. I put our destination of Obidos into Google Maps Walking to see the route it would give me. We've wandered down the best back roads doing that:). But this area has been hilly and I worry about doing too many of them. So I stopped a guy and asked. He wanted us to take the main road and gave me great directions. But it skirted a city and I didn't want to. So I didn't. And away we went. And the route was fabulous! Towards the end we see this castle high up on this rock. Big castle. Long fortress walls. The road up is steep so we ditch the bikes and walk up. We come into a medieval village replica and sign that a festival will be here next month. Then we notice you can walk the fortress wall. There's a sign warning that it's dangerous. Personal responsibility. What a novel concept:). So up we go! And what's on the other side, in the castle courtyard? A whole village! Obidos! We didn't know. The cutest place ever!!!
And a cute picture of me here...
Love surprises like that!
And tonight, after waiting out a thunderstorm in a gas station cafe...talk about timing, we'd just stopped for water...we're in an industrial coastal town in a campground. Not too bad and not too expensive. No toilet paper in the johns, just a bidet. Guess I'm going to learn the Asian hand method whether I like it or not!
Livin' the life,
BagLady
North of S. Pedro de Moel
We've been wandering our way southward through the sweetest rural villages and coastal towns camping near the beaches. The coast is not built up like in the States. Just a few beach towns with condos. I'm sure it gets worse the further south we go. People are friendly and honk and wave. Some stop to chat, but if they don't speak English the conversation is short. The fruits we're finding along the way are how I remember them from my childhood. Peaches and nectarines dripping with juice as I eat them. Delicious sweet black cherries. Yummy plums. Just wonderful. And always an enjoyable exchange with the vendor. I'm finding often French is their 2nd language and I haven't forgotten too much from my summer abroad 45+ years ago.
I'm having some leg issues. Pain above and below the inside of my left knee. And it goes between a 4 and a 10 in pain levels. I've learned some muscle releasing techniques to use on "pissed off" muscles (as my muscle guy refers to them). And I've begun leg strength balancing exercises he taught me before I left. And then there's ibuprofen! I think the 2 months of hiking first has messed things up but I feel confident I can resolve the problem. Won't be able to take any time off for another week when we get to Lisbon. Then we should have a week off the trikes between Lisbon and London.
June 23, 2014
Peniche, Portugal
We got rained on yesterday for the first time in forever! Decided to quit early when it stopped for awhile and found a great wild campsite nestled in some pine trees. Even put up the tarp to sit under.
A quick jaunt to the cliffs' edge and we came upon this view.
Imagine photo here...it won't upload, again...
And later, back for sunset.
And another here...
Today though was such fun. After winding down the coast breakfasting at an overlook, we wandered into another quant Portuguese town. I put our destination of Obidos into Google Maps Walking to see the route it would give me. We've wandered down the best back roads doing that:). But this area has been hilly and I worry about doing too many of them. So I stopped a guy and asked. He wanted us to take the main road and gave me great directions. But it skirted a city and I didn't want to. So I didn't. And away we went. And the route was fabulous! Towards the end we see this castle high up on this rock. Big castle. Long fortress walls. The road up is steep so we ditch the bikes and walk up. We come into a medieval village replica and sign that a festival will be here next month. Then we notice you can walk the fortress wall. There's a sign warning that it's dangerous. Personal responsibility. What a novel concept:). So up we go! And what's on the other side, in the castle courtyard? A whole village! Obidos! We didn't know. The cutest place ever!!!
And a cute picture of me here...
Love surprises like that!
And tonight, after waiting out a thunderstorm in a gas station cafe...talk about timing, we'd just stopped for water...we're in an industrial coastal town in a campground. Not too bad and not too expensive. No toilet paper in the johns, just a bidet. Guess I'm going to learn the Asian hand method whether I like it or not!
Livin' the life,
BagLady
Sunday, June 15, 2014
Coimbra
June 15, 2015
Coimbra, Spain
Can you see I'm getting caught up on my journals. Unlike many bloggers, I have no rhyme, reason, or format to how, when, or what I write. Tis what it is. It's only for me. You just get to read it:)
Sleep deprived was understated. Three nights of disturbed sleep in a row:
1) dogs barking
2) train
3) partying outside my window
Got my fingers crossed for tonight, but they're already blasting the WC games in the square across the way. Can't open the room window because it's so so loud.
So I need to continue my story of getting to Coimbra (pronounced coh-eem-bra, accenting the eem).
The asst conductor awakes us (I was already awake...and so was April when I had to pound on the sleeper door after locking myself out to go to the WC - water closet). Time was confusing because of an hour time change and the train was 40 minutes late (probably due to us when we got on:)). And he wasn't sure what side if the train we de parsed from. And he wanted all if our gear staged for a quick exit. Then he told me to follow him. He had said the conductor was going to help me unload my bike. So we're walking through car after car until we get to the engine room. He's looking and looking. But I didn't know what for. The conductor? Then he looks worried. He can't find my bike. I try to tell him it wasn't in this direction. It was a couple of cars in front of ours. So back we go. We get to where my bike was put and the first thing I notice is it's on the other side from where I placed it. Now I'm worried that it tumbled there. But no. It was moved. Moved so we could open the door to deboard. The conductor joins me and we wait with the door open for the train up stop. Feeling a bit like a hobo riding the rails at this point:). We get the bike down. Mr Asst Conductor and April unload everything else. And the train departs. Hope we got it all! Here we are in the dark (6am) and the fog on a train platform in another country with no phone (read Google Maps) and no idea which way to go to town. Hadn't done my usual prep work. Stupid me. We start riding towards town but the signs appear to lead to highways. That's not what we want. And there are curbs. Hard to get off this road. I saw a bar open on a side street so decided I needed to ask someone. Do they even speak English here? Will I understand enough? Gotta get help so in I go. Does anyone in here speak English? Blank faces. Might as well tell my story and see the response. So I do. Then one guy confesses that he does, a little. I smile. A little is all I need! And usually it's more than they realize. So with him drawing me maps and explaining the hills of the village and getting our hostel address on his smart phone we're all set! Then as we're pedaling away April spots a map of Coimbra on the medium and we go take pictures for future reference. Invaluable once we got into the bowels of this beautiful, worn but elegant, and HILLY city. I must say April has done a great job of staying up with me when I'm trying to figure out where we're going and turning this way and that. Kudos to her. It can't be easy.
We found our beautiful hostel but it was only 7:30 am and check in wasn't until 2. Several people helped or talked to us this morning. And all apologized for being drunk. (The bars stay open all night. ). But listening to their stories and accepting their help was a lesson in dropping judgements. The last guy told us to just ring the bell and put our stuff in the hostel. Mareese was able to check us in, provide storage for our bikes and gear, and give us maps and ideas of what to see and do.
That's the bikes stacked on their sides in a crawl space of an old stairway. Half the door was painted shut.
This is a major university town built on a steep hillside up from a river. The houses go right up the hill.
And the amount of English is so impressive. So much more than we experienced in Spain. And their accents are good too.
Yesterday the children of different neighborhoods were celebrating.
Livin' the life,
BagLady
Coimbra, Spain
Can you see I'm getting caught up on my journals. Unlike many bloggers, I have no rhyme, reason, or format to how, when, or what I write. Tis what it is. It's only for me. You just get to read it:)
Sleep deprived was understated. Three nights of disturbed sleep in a row:
1) dogs barking
2) train
3) partying outside my window
Got my fingers crossed for tonight, but they're already blasting the WC games in the square across the way. Can't open the room window because it's so so loud.
So I need to continue my story of getting to Coimbra (pronounced coh-eem-bra, accenting the eem).
The asst conductor awakes us (I was already awake...and so was April when I had to pound on the sleeper door after locking myself out to go to the WC - water closet). Time was confusing because of an hour time change and the train was 40 minutes late (probably due to us when we got on:)). And he wasn't sure what side if the train we de parsed from. And he wanted all if our gear staged for a quick exit. Then he told me to follow him. He had said the conductor was going to help me unload my bike. So we're walking through car after car until we get to the engine room. He's looking and looking. But I didn't know what for. The conductor? Then he looks worried. He can't find my bike. I try to tell him it wasn't in this direction. It was a couple of cars in front of ours. So back we go. We get to where my bike was put and the first thing I notice is it's on the other side from where I placed it. Now I'm worried that it tumbled there. But no. It was moved. Moved so we could open the door to deboard. The conductor joins me and we wait with the door open for the train up stop. Feeling a bit like a hobo riding the rails at this point:). We get the bike down. Mr Asst Conductor and April unload everything else. And the train departs. Hope we got it all! Here we are in the dark (6am) and the fog on a train platform in another country with no phone (read Google Maps) and no idea which way to go to town. Hadn't done my usual prep work. Stupid me. We start riding towards town but the signs appear to lead to highways. That's not what we want. And there are curbs. Hard to get off this road. I saw a bar open on a side street so decided I needed to ask someone. Do they even speak English here? Will I understand enough? Gotta get help so in I go. Does anyone in here speak English? Blank faces. Might as well tell my story and see the response. So I do. Then one guy confesses that he does, a little. I smile. A little is all I need! And usually it's more than they realize. So with him drawing me maps and explaining the hills of the village and getting our hostel address on his smart phone we're all set! Then as we're pedaling away April spots a map of Coimbra on the medium and we go take pictures for future reference. Invaluable once we got into the bowels of this beautiful, worn but elegant, and HILLY city. I must say April has done a great job of staying up with me when I'm trying to figure out where we're going and turning this way and that. Kudos to her. It can't be easy.
We found our beautiful hostel but it was only 7:30 am and check in wasn't until 2. Several people helped or talked to us this morning. And all apologized for being drunk. (The bars stay open all night. ). But listening to their stories and accepting their help was a lesson in dropping judgements. The last guy told us to just ring the bell and put our stuff in the hostel. Mareese was able to check us in, provide storage for our bikes and gear, and give us maps and ideas of what to see and do.
That's the bikes stacked on their sides in a crawl space of an old stairway. Half the door was painted shut.
This is a major university town built on a steep hillside up from a river. The houses go right up the hill.
And the amount of English is so impressive. So much more than we experienced in Spain. And their accents are good too.
Yesterday the children of different neighborhoods were celebrating.
Livin' the life,
BagLady
Sleep Deprived
June 15, 2014
Coimbra, Portugal
Music, World Cup game announcement, talent show, partiers...we had it all last night. And like Spain, the Portugese don't believe in sleeping at night. It's cool then, so PARTY! The music was great! So rhythmic and emotional, I found myself I initially grooving to it while it penetrated my sleeping brain. But this was the 2nd night of poor sleep so it didn't stay enjoyable for long.
But first I need to tell the story of getting here. Nothing is ever simple in the travels of trike touring and now with 2 trikes the adventures are magnified more than twofold. We cycled into Plasencia, Spain, a town I thought would have public transportation out to Portugal. Given the heat wave, April and I decided it might be cooler at the coast. Then, too, we'd have a slow leisurely trip down the coast to Lisbon with plenty of time to catch our June 30th flight to London.
So I go into the bus station to find out about a bus to Porto, Portugal. The guy doesn't speak English but writes on a piece of paper the names of 2 "somethings" about where I get the bus to Portugal. I sit down and figure out these are 2 towns south of us. They must be the connections. Ok, let's see what the train folks have to say. They say we have to go back to Madrid to get the train to Porto. Not doing that! But a train goes to Caceres, the first town on my list. Let's take the train to Caceres and there catch the bus to Porto. Sounds like a plan! They said the bus' bike section was full, but she'd ask the conductor when the train arrived if our bikes could go on. Yes! And off we go for an hour's ride to Caceres, Spain. Lucky us. The bus station is across the street. They tell us we have to go to Salamanca to get a bus to Porto. And stay over one night because the only bus leaves at midday. We have 2 bikes...special bikes. Fold them small. Ok. Out in the platform a guy comes by shaking his head. "Too big!!" he motions and says in Spanish. (I'm getting really good at reading body language:)). So we start to fold them. He motions that he'll have to look at the bus when it arrives. Turns out he's the next driver. He checks all the bus' bays but says nothing to us. Wait, I tell April. It's a game they all play. He hasn't said No, yet. After changing drivers and their briefcases he opens a rear bay and motions for us to load it up Yea! Luckily April has great spatial awareness and can see how best to get these buggers in this small space. On they go. Off we go.
What's that exit sign say I ask an hour later? Plasencia? That's the town we left a couple of hours ago! This bus is STOPPING in Plasencia on its way to Salamanca. We're right back to where we started. That effing bus ticket guy!!! He didn't know what he was talking about!! Arghhhh!!! The adventure continues because things are just seeming so challenging. So we'll go to Salamanca and figure it out from there. Maybe we can get the train from there to Porto. The train is definitely more fun than the bus and usually easier with the trikes.
We arrive in Salamanca to spend the night. April found us online a place to stay for 40 € right in the old section of town near the Plaza Mayor. That should be great if they can handle our trikes. We unload our pile of gear and trike pieces onto the platform and commence to reassemble to the stares if onlookers and clicking of cameras. We make quite a spectacle and it can be abut disconcerting in a crowd like that. Poor April's literally on the pavement screwing things back together. She's figured her trike out pretty quickly! Looks like we got it all! Let's get out of here. Using Google Maps on my phone, I figure out where to go, and we're off. One way streets! Yikes. Sidewalks it will have to be.
We get down to the plaza and it's "hoppening"! People everywhere. Hundreds of cafe tables and wide screen TVs. What's going on? We find our hotel and the first thing I notice is the steps up to a 2nd floor reception. I don't think this is going to work:(. But don't give up yet. I go up and ask about our bikes. Yes, we have a place: up those stairs I came up, down the narrow main hallway and out onto a rooftop. It will work, I exclaim!...not knowing if we can get them up those stairs or not! We can! We do! The lady receptionist is ever so helpful carry bags after bags of our gear up. Such kindness!
"Where's your blue sack?" Says April as we stuff our multitude of bags into this tiny room. Shit! I set it down to empty the bus and it got separated from all the rest. It's just got food scraps and odd junk in it. They never pick up litter here til morning, it's probably let still there. So I hustle on foot back. Nope not by the post where I set it. Not in the trash cans. Maybe Lost and Found. But who to ask? And how? Information is closed. There's a guy at a window. Use Google Translate. He's trying to call someone. Motions to wait 5 minutes. I pace. Go back down to the bus platform. A couple that work at a restaurant on the platform recognize me from the bike fiasco. I explain. He takes me over to a building and ask a guy who does maintenance there. Nada. Didn't see it. The couple says there was nothing left behind. Oh well. I tried. I hope whoever lifted it can use the coffee mug, knife, spork, folding bowl, visor, Boy Toy (for peeing by the side of the road), and bandannas it contained. Maybe someone in dire straits is benefitting. Nothing irreplaceable. Detachment from possessions is what this journey is about. And adjusting to whatever comes my way.
(This blog post is turning into a novel all on its own...and the story's not over:))
The hubbub in the Plaza Mayor is a festival AND opening World Cup. Game. Wild place to be!
The next day we head to the train station in the morning to figure out what our options are. 1 am??? The only train? Ok. We'll go by bus. We pack up and head to the bus staton. Full? Really? It's Friday. Busy time for busses. Guess it will have to be the 1 am train. And let's only go to Coimbra. Heard it was a cute city. We wheeled our loaded bikes into the train station to buy our tickets so they could see them. Don't think they can go, says the ticket man. Then he does his research. Only way is if we buy sleeper car tickets with births. They go in the compartment. Really? How much? 105 € each. Oh my!! The bus is half that. But this is Friday and if we wait for a Monday bus we'll have spent that staying here. Ok. And then the bikes can go.
Running errands, sitting around, replacing lost criticals from blue pack, eating, drinking...that's how we spent the next 12 hours. We're on the platform awaiting the train with our bikes still loaded because until we know what car to get on it's easier to move the stiff on the bikes. A man comes by. Not going to fit, he says. We motion that they fold. He shakes his head. But they saw the bikes and sold us the tickets. Not my problem, he motions. He leaves. We wait. Not giving up yet. We talk to some other officials, station guards probably. Guy comes back. Looks like he's the conductor. Still no. We tear the bikes apart and fold them. He's unsure. The train arrives. We don't know where to go. Of course. 4 cars down. We grab stuff and run. More stuff. Now wheel our folded bikes. He shows us compartment. No way! We hardly fit. April persists. Tried her trike. Nope. Quick release front wheels. They help her take them off. Hers will fit now. No, I say, mine don't gone off. Big mistake not having that option. Please! begs April. Find a place for her bike. He goes looking and finds a hallway in an engine car. I get it in. We're not responsible, he says. Meanwhile April with help has put her trike and all it's pieces and all our gear into this tiny 2 bunk sleeper car! Our home for the night! And once again....
WE'RE OFF!!!!!!!
Livin' the life,
BagLady
Coimbra, Portugal
Music, World Cup game announcement, talent show, partiers...we had it all last night. And like Spain, the Portugese don't believe in sleeping at night. It's cool then, so PARTY! The music was great! So rhythmic and emotional, I found myself I initially grooving to it while it penetrated my sleeping brain. But this was the 2nd night of poor sleep so it didn't stay enjoyable for long.
But first I need to tell the story of getting here. Nothing is ever simple in the travels of trike touring and now with 2 trikes the adventures are magnified more than twofold. We cycled into Plasencia, Spain, a town I thought would have public transportation out to Portugal. Given the heat wave, April and I decided it might be cooler at the coast. Then, too, we'd have a slow leisurely trip down the coast to Lisbon with plenty of time to catch our June 30th flight to London.
So I go into the bus station to find out about a bus to Porto, Portugal. The guy doesn't speak English but writes on a piece of paper the names of 2 "somethings" about where I get the bus to Portugal. I sit down and figure out these are 2 towns south of us. They must be the connections. Ok, let's see what the train folks have to say. They say we have to go back to Madrid to get the train to Porto. Not doing that! But a train goes to Caceres, the first town on my list. Let's take the train to Caceres and there catch the bus to Porto. Sounds like a plan! They said the bus' bike section was full, but she'd ask the conductor when the train arrived if our bikes could go on. Yes! And off we go for an hour's ride to Caceres, Spain. Lucky us. The bus station is across the street. They tell us we have to go to Salamanca to get a bus to Porto. And stay over one night because the only bus leaves at midday. We have 2 bikes...special bikes. Fold them small. Ok. Out in the platform a guy comes by shaking his head. "Too big!!" he motions and says in Spanish. (I'm getting really good at reading body language:)). So we start to fold them. He motions that he'll have to look at the bus when it arrives. Turns out he's the next driver. He checks all the bus' bays but says nothing to us. Wait, I tell April. It's a game they all play. He hasn't said No, yet. After changing drivers and their briefcases he opens a rear bay and motions for us to load it up Yea! Luckily April has great spatial awareness and can see how best to get these buggers in this small space. On they go. Off we go.
What's that exit sign say I ask an hour later? Plasencia? That's the town we left a couple of hours ago! This bus is STOPPING in Plasencia on its way to Salamanca. We're right back to where we started. That effing bus ticket guy!!! He didn't know what he was talking about!! Arghhhh!!! The adventure continues because things are just seeming so challenging. So we'll go to Salamanca and figure it out from there. Maybe we can get the train from there to Porto. The train is definitely more fun than the bus and usually easier with the trikes.
We arrive in Salamanca to spend the night. April found us online a place to stay for 40 € right in the old section of town near the Plaza Mayor. That should be great if they can handle our trikes. We unload our pile of gear and trike pieces onto the platform and commence to reassemble to the stares if onlookers and clicking of cameras. We make quite a spectacle and it can be abut disconcerting in a crowd like that. Poor April's literally on the pavement screwing things back together. She's figured her trike out pretty quickly! Looks like we got it all! Let's get out of here. Using Google Maps on my phone, I figure out where to go, and we're off. One way streets! Yikes. Sidewalks it will have to be.
We get down to the plaza and it's "hoppening"! People everywhere. Hundreds of cafe tables and wide screen TVs. What's going on? We find our hotel and the first thing I notice is the steps up to a 2nd floor reception. I don't think this is going to work:(. But don't give up yet. I go up and ask about our bikes. Yes, we have a place: up those stairs I came up, down the narrow main hallway and out onto a rooftop. It will work, I exclaim!...not knowing if we can get them up those stairs or not! We can! We do! The lady receptionist is ever so helpful carry bags after bags of our gear up. Such kindness!
"Where's your blue sack?" Says April as we stuff our multitude of bags into this tiny room. Shit! I set it down to empty the bus and it got separated from all the rest. It's just got food scraps and odd junk in it. They never pick up litter here til morning, it's probably let still there. So I hustle on foot back. Nope not by the post where I set it. Not in the trash cans. Maybe Lost and Found. But who to ask? And how? Information is closed. There's a guy at a window. Use Google Translate. He's trying to call someone. Motions to wait 5 minutes. I pace. Go back down to the bus platform. A couple that work at a restaurant on the platform recognize me from the bike fiasco. I explain. He takes me over to a building and ask a guy who does maintenance there. Nada. Didn't see it. The couple says there was nothing left behind. Oh well. I tried. I hope whoever lifted it can use the coffee mug, knife, spork, folding bowl, visor, Boy Toy (for peeing by the side of the road), and bandannas it contained. Maybe someone in dire straits is benefitting. Nothing irreplaceable. Detachment from possessions is what this journey is about. And adjusting to whatever comes my way.
(This blog post is turning into a novel all on its own...and the story's not over:))
The hubbub in the Plaza Mayor is a festival AND opening World Cup. Game. Wild place to be!
The next day we head to the train station in the morning to figure out what our options are. 1 am??? The only train? Ok. We'll go by bus. We pack up and head to the bus staton. Full? Really? It's Friday. Busy time for busses. Guess it will have to be the 1 am train. And let's only go to Coimbra. Heard it was a cute city. We wheeled our loaded bikes into the train station to buy our tickets so they could see them. Don't think they can go, says the ticket man. Then he does his research. Only way is if we buy sleeper car tickets with births. They go in the compartment. Really? How much? 105 € each. Oh my!! The bus is half that. But this is Friday and if we wait for a Monday bus we'll have spent that staying here. Ok. And then the bikes can go.
Running errands, sitting around, replacing lost criticals from blue pack, eating, drinking...that's how we spent the next 12 hours. We're on the platform awaiting the train with our bikes still loaded because until we know what car to get on it's easier to move the stiff on the bikes. A man comes by. Not going to fit, he says. We motion that they fold. He shakes his head. But they saw the bikes and sold us the tickets. Not my problem, he motions. He leaves. We wait. Not giving up yet. We talk to some other officials, station guards probably. Guy comes back. Looks like he's the conductor. Still no. We tear the bikes apart and fold them. He's unsure. The train arrives. We don't know where to go. Of course. 4 cars down. We grab stuff and run. More stuff. Now wheel our folded bikes. He shows us compartment. No way! We hardly fit. April persists. Tried her trike. Nope. Quick release front wheels. They help her take them off. Hers will fit now. No, I say, mine don't gone off. Big mistake not having that option. Please! begs April. Find a place for her bike. He goes looking and finds a hallway in an engine car. I get it in. We're not responsible, he says. Meanwhile April with help has put her trike and all it's pieces and all our gear into this tiny 2 bunk sleeper car! Our home for the night! And once again....
WE'RE OFF!!!!!!!
Livin' the life,
BagLady
Across Spain
June 8, 2014
Calalso de Los Vidrios, Spain
Best night's sleep in a long time. I realized that sleeping in the albergues for 2 months was the longest I think I've slept indoors in awhile! No rainfly. Bright big moon. I've missed feeling the elements.
That's tonight's glorious sunset. It's been a majorly sunny day. Thank goodness for the umbrellas to provide shade or this cycling here now would be unbearable.
Today's ride had more hills and April and I both struggling. We've gained hiking legs but our biking legs are weak. We may have to catch a bus to shorten the distance if our mileage doesn't pick up. Time will tell. Always keep your options open.
But tonight we have a California view of rocky terrain and mountains:)t
June 9th
Should have paid closer attention and not climbed that hill out of town this morning:(. April wasn't too happy with be to say the least. But we pulled it together and got going in the right direction.
Hot! Hot! Hot! And windy. Headwinds! But the worst part about that was not being able to use my umbrella much. Yikes. Sizzling in the sun!! And sunscreen doesn't help. I could not find enough shade trees along side the road to suit me. Makes the UK look better and better this summer:)
Tonight we're camped up in an open and mowed meadow off an old road we found. Sweet spot next to an old stone wall with a view of the mountains to the north.
We're taking a primary road across underneath a mountain range to the north. If I had a real map, I might be able to tell you what mountains:). But who needs a real map when you have Google Maps? Now, power don't fail me! I've added a real power pack to my system that carries enough power for a couple of charges and it actually works on the iPhone. I can recharge it with my solar charger.
The countryside reminds me of cycling in Idaho up to Stanley. Rolling mountains. Beautiful. We've had some tough hills, but we made it up them:)
The people have been excited to see us: honking, waving, and clapping out the car windows! They stop to talk...and we usually are able to converse somehow. We stopped for breakfast at a field entrance and two country bumpkins (husband and wife, salt of the earth) came by. And you know they didn't speak English. So they spoke Spanish and we answered in English and a happy energy exchange was had! It's truly amazes me how people can communicate beyond language if they just try. One day we stopped some cyclists to ask directions. They spoke some English but had trouble finding the words. I to them to tell us in Spanish, we'd understand some. And we did. Hand gestures help a lot!
We are all one. And we need to remember that.
June 15th
Coimbra, Portugal
Guess I'd better finish this post about getting across Spain to Portugal. I'm trying to keep writing, but seem unable to do it daily.
Camping spots have been challenging. It's high desert that we've been crossing and lots of fenced off orchards with scrub on our side. Not conducive to camping. Crunchy. Rocky. Tilting. One night we were in the corner of an old orchard thinking we were all alone down this dirt road. Wrong. So many cars and bikes went by. No one seemed to care so we stayed. A couple of young woman one bikes came by and stopes to chat. They had seen us earlier on the road and taken our pictures, they told us. That happens a lot: taking random photos of us. We just smile and wave.
Back to our camp spot. So off to sleep we go only to be awakened by barking dogs! A pair nearby and another further away. No remember these are Spanish dogs, so they were siesta-ing all afternoon so we didn't hear a peep. Then when the sun sets about 10 pm they come alive and stay that way until around 4 am. Yup. Dogs can bark for 6 hours non stop! When they pair took a few minutes break, their distant buddy would fill the void. Oh la la! A good sleep is just impossible no matter how hard I try to ignore them.
Gotta start biking early to avoid the heat...no when I'm finally sleeping because the dogs are quiet. The sun is so hot it sears my skin. The umbrella gives most of my body shade, but my legs stick out and feel the pain. And it gets hot about 10 am! One day we did try to sit out if the worst of it about 3-4 pm. Boring! And when we started up, no difference. You'd have to bike at night to avoid the heat and pain of the sun. So we just pedaled on, coping as best we could.
They're having a heat wave here now. Higher than normal temps. Let's get to a town and catch a bus to the coast, I suggest!
Livin' the life,
BagLady
Calalso de Los Vidrios, Spain
Best night's sleep in a long time. I realized that sleeping in the albergues for 2 months was the longest I think I've slept indoors in awhile! No rainfly. Bright big moon. I've missed feeling the elements.
That's tonight's glorious sunset. It's been a majorly sunny day. Thank goodness for the umbrellas to provide shade or this cycling here now would be unbearable.
Today's ride had more hills and April and I both struggling. We've gained hiking legs but our biking legs are weak. We may have to catch a bus to shorten the distance if our mileage doesn't pick up. Time will tell. Always keep your options open.
But tonight we have a California view of rocky terrain and mountains:)t
June 9th
Should have paid closer attention and not climbed that hill out of town this morning:(. April wasn't too happy with be to say the least. But we pulled it together and got going in the right direction.
Hot! Hot! Hot! And windy. Headwinds! But the worst part about that was not being able to use my umbrella much. Yikes. Sizzling in the sun!! And sunscreen doesn't help. I could not find enough shade trees along side the road to suit me. Makes the UK look better and better this summer:)
Tonight we're camped up in an open and mowed meadow off an old road we found. Sweet spot next to an old stone wall with a view of the mountains to the north.
We're taking a primary road across underneath a mountain range to the north. If I had a real map, I might be able to tell you what mountains:). But who needs a real map when you have Google Maps? Now, power don't fail me! I've added a real power pack to my system that carries enough power for a couple of charges and it actually works on the iPhone. I can recharge it with my solar charger.
The countryside reminds me of cycling in Idaho up to Stanley. Rolling mountains. Beautiful. We've had some tough hills, but we made it up them:)
The people have been excited to see us: honking, waving, and clapping out the car windows! They stop to talk...and we usually are able to converse somehow. We stopped for breakfast at a field entrance and two country bumpkins (husband and wife, salt of the earth) came by. And you know they didn't speak English. So they spoke Spanish and we answered in English and a happy energy exchange was had! It's truly amazes me how people can communicate beyond language if they just try. One day we stopped some cyclists to ask directions. They spoke some English but had trouble finding the words. I to them to tell us in Spanish, we'd understand some. And we did. Hand gestures help a lot!
We are all one. And we need to remember that.
June 15th
Coimbra, Portugal
Guess I'd better finish this post about getting across Spain to Portugal. I'm trying to keep writing, but seem unable to do it daily.
Camping spots have been challenging. It's high desert that we've been crossing and lots of fenced off orchards with scrub on our side. Not conducive to camping. Crunchy. Rocky. Tilting. One night we were in the corner of an old orchard thinking we were all alone down this dirt road. Wrong. So many cars and bikes went by. No one seemed to care so we stayed. A couple of young woman one bikes came by and stopes to chat. They had seen us earlier on the road and taken our pictures, they told us. That happens a lot: taking random photos of us. We just smile and wave.
Back to our camp spot. So off to sleep we go only to be awakened by barking dogs! A pair nearby and another further away. No remember these are Spanish dogs, so they were siesta-ing all afternoon so we didn't hear a peep. Then when the sun sets about 10 pm they come alive and stay that way until around 4 am. Yup. Dogs can bark for 6 hours non stop! When they pair took a few minutes break, their distant buddy would fill the void. Oh la la! A good sleep is just impossible no matter how hard I try to ignore them.
Gotta start biking early to avoid the heat...no when I'm finally sleeping because the dogs are quiet. The sun is so hot it sears my skin. The umbrella gives most of my body shade, but my legs stick out and feel the pain. And it gets hot about 10 am! One day we did try to sit out if the worst of it about 3-4 pm. Boring! And when we started up, no difference. You'd have to bike at night to avoid the heat and pain of the sun. So we just pedaled on, coping as best we could.
They're having a heat wave here now. Higher than normal temps. Let's get to a town and catch a bus to the coast, I suggest!
Livin' the life,
BagLady
Saturday, June 7, 2014
Camino Done...Triking Begun
June 7, 2014
just outside of Madrid, Spain
We finished the Camino de Santiago about a week ago, meeting up with an friend from earlier days on the Camino, Isabel, as she arrived in Santigo from the east and we got back from doing the Finisterre, Muxia, and back to Santiago loop. Old home week reconnecting for a day before we flew back to Madrid late Tuesday evening...on the ever eventful, Ryan Air. Cheap flights as long as you follow all the rules. Not printing your boarding pass can cost $100 extra. $30 to check a bag (so we shipped our poles and knives back to Monica's). We arrive at the airport 2 hours before the flight. We read all the fine print on our printed boarding passes as we're trying to figure out if we need to go to the desk (read..long line) if we have no bags to check. We decide No, and go through security. After our decent wait,the passengers start queuing up and we join them. Then April says, "I knew it! We have to have our boarding passes stamped at the desk...see, it's in big print!" Dang! Neither of us saw it until now. OMG, do we have time to run back out through security? Gotta try! Security doesn't understand us and has to find someone who speaks English. No one at the counter. It's closed. Security shrugs her shoulders at us, then says "Try Information." Mind you we are running around like chickens with our heads cut off, sure we are not getting on that flight. Where to go? WHo to see? Then April spies another Ryan AIr desk for who knows what. Wiiiiiiill they stamp it? Yes! All stamped,we head back through security and back into line (where we dropped out, I suggested) and then we wait because the plane hadn't even arrived...whew!!!
So after 3 delightful and restful days with Monica and Mauro, and there place felt like "home", today we packed our bikes and headed west towards Portugal. In my usual way of winging it, and not wanting to ride on the busy main road, we found dirt trails and farm roads on Google Maps and followed them, sort of paralleling the main road...sort of.... and then it showed that it was going to end because a river was coming up and only the main road crossed it nearby...and this main road didn't have an entrance ramp nearby. But we managed to find a tunnel under the main road and I decided to take a different route all together heading down to M 507 and then across. But you shoulda seen how Blaze and Wildfire handled themselves: Mountain Trikes! Truly we were mountain biking on these trikes....and only the heavy sand made us get off and push! We didn't make many miles today, but we sure had fun!
and tonight we're camped down a dirt road in amongst the crispy, crunchy prickers. This place is a desert! Never seen anything so dry...and even more so after wet Galacia where Santiago is.
Oh, ya...our new plan is to spend 3 weeks pedaling to Lisbon, Portuagal. We have tickets out of the Schengen area on the 89th day so we won't cause any problems. April was just getting too nervous and I didn't like all the negative energy. It's one thing when I'm on my own and decide to bend the rules and see what happens....another when I'm with someone. So we'll spend 6 weeks touring the UK and then I'll see if I can get back into Europe alone later in August cycling through France, Italy, Greece to Turkey and Istanbul as originally planned. Plans are written in sand and always subject to change:)
Livin' the life,
BagLady
just outside of Madrid, Spain
We finished the Camino de Santiago about a week ago, meeting up with an friend from earlier days on the Camino, Isabel, as she arrived in Santigo from the east and we got back from doing the Finisterre, Muxia, and back to Santiago loop. Old home week reconnecting for a day before we flew back to Madrid late Tuesday evening...on the ever eventful, Ryan Air. Cheap flights as long as you follow all the rules. Not printing your boarding pass can cost $100 extra. $30 to check a bag (so we shipped our poles and knives back to Monica's). We arrive at the airport 2 hours before the flight. We read all the fine print on our printed boarding passes as we're trying to figure out if we need to go to the desk (read..long line) if we have no bags to check. We decide No, and go through security. After our decent wait,the passengers start queuing up and we join them. Then April says, "I knew it! We have to have our boarding passes stamped at the desk...see, it's in big print!" Dang! Neither of us saw it until now. OMG, do we have time to run back out through security? Gotta try! Security doesn't understand us and has to find someone who speaks English. No one at the counter. It's closed. Security shrugs her shoulders at us, then says "Try Information." Mind you we are running around like chickens with our heads cut off, sure we are not getting on that flight. Where to go? WHo to see? Then April spies another Ryan AIr desk for who knows what. Wiiiiiiill they stamp it? Yes! All stamped,we head back through security and back into line (where we dropped out, I suggested) and then we wait because the plane hadn't even arrived...whew!!!
So after 3 delightful and restful days with Monica and Mauro, and there place felt like "home", today we packed our bikes and headed west towards Portugal. In my usual way of winging it, and not wanting to ride on the busy main road, we found dirt trails and farm roads on Google Maps and followed them, sort of paralleling the main road...sort of.... and then it showed that it was going to end because a river was coming up and only the main road crossed it nearby...and this main road didn't have an entrance ramp nearby. But we managed to find a tunnel under the main road and I decided to take a different route all together heading down to M 507 and then across. But you shoulda seen how Blaze and Wildfire handled themselves: Mountain Trikes! Truly we were mountain biking on these trikes....and only the heavy sand made us get off and push! We didn't make many miles today, but we sure had fun!
and tonight we're camped down a dirt road in amongst the crispy, crunchy prickers. This place is a desert! Never seen anything so dry...and even more so after wet Galacia where Santiago is.
Oh, ya...our new plan is to spend 3 weeks pedaling to Lisbon, Portuagal. We have tickets out of the Schengen area on the 89th day so we won't cause any problems. April was just getting too nervous and I didn't like all the negative energy. It's one thing when I'm on my own and decide to bend the rules and see what happens....another when I'm with someone. So we'll spend 6 weeks touring the UK and then I'll see if I can get back into Europe alone later in August cycling through France, Italy, Greece to Turkey and Istanbul as originally planned. Plans are written in sand and always subject to change:)
Livin' the life,
BagLady
Monday, May 26, 2014
Sunset
May 25, 2014
Finisterre, Spain
Here I sit on a rock surrounded by other pilgrims sitting on rocks at the lighthouse at Finisterre waiting for sunset...at 10:03 pm!
Walking out to the ocean over the moors was the most enjoyable trekking. Our room in Finisterre is the best room in the whole village, a darling orange and white penthouse suite with its own balcony overlooking the harbor.
Oh ya!! Life is good. "We are happy girls!" as Victoria would say:).
May 25th...happy Memorial Day USA!
Sleeping in this morning for the first time in nearly 2 months was a joy. No snoring! No fight to keep the windows open! And sleeping in sheets! And drying with a normal fill-size towel! Life's simple pleasures you all take for granted. Even on the AT I had these things more frequently than here:).
Sitting on our rooftop balcony watching the world of the birds, seagulls. There's a man fixing his skylight. It's another world up here. A delightful place to pass the day.
I'm gonna try uploading photos again. If you don't see any in this blog you'll know I didn't have any luck. I may have to figure out new blogging methods if this issue continues. Love to all:))
Livin' the life,
BagLady
Finisterre, Spain
Here I sit on a rock surrounded by other pilgrims sitting on rocks at the lighthouse at Finisterre waiting for sunset...at 10:03 pm!
Walking out to the ocean over the moors was the most enjoyable trekking. Our room in Finisterre is the best room in the whole village, a darling orange and white penthouse suite with its own balcony overlooking the harbor.
Oh ya!! Life is good. "We are happy girls!" as Victoria would say:).
May 25th...happy Memorial Day USA!
Sleeping in this morning for the first time in nearly 2 months was a joy. No snoring! No fight to keep the windows open! And sleeping in sheets! And drying with a normal fill-size towel! Life's simple pleasures you all take for granted. Even on the AT I had these things more frequently than here:).
Sitting on our rooftop balcony watching the world of the birds, seagulls. There's a man fixing his skylight. It's another world up here. A delightful place to pass the day.
I'm gonna try uploading photos again. If you don't see any in this blog you'll know I didn't have any luck. I may have to figure out new blogging methods if this issue continues. Love to all:))
Livin' the life,
BagLady
Saturday, May 24, 2014
Santiago
May 24, 2014
Cee, Spain
Arrived into Santiago de Compostella last Monday (this is Saturday) in the first rain we've really had to deal with. There was a drizzle one day in 6 weeks, I think. First things first. The girls were focused on getting there Compostella: a certificate that says you've hiked the Camino, at least the last 100 kms. I could care less about certificates but it was important to them so I zipped my lip (I know, rare moment) and joined in their excitement. It was a significant accomplishment for Victoria and Marjukka and I'm so proud of them for them for making it!!! Our group had expanded for a few days to include Cara, a young girl from the USA that has been bopping around Europe for about 6 months. Having gotten certified, I was focused on finding a room. A cute one at that. Since the night before we had stayed in a 500 bed albergue, I wanted something a but more intimate:). It was part of a conference center that I calculated would sleep several thousand people: 30 buildings sleeping about 300 in each...you do the math! I had spotted solace on the way in, but the group needed the tourist info recommendation and to stop by another albergue that we didn't like before going to my preference: Azabache Albergue. Cute place with 2 bunks per room, large windows and balcony, kitchen, old and quaint. We all loved it! Around the corner from the Cathedral, near to everything! And we could stay as long as we wanted, something you can't do in a regular albergue.
Pilgrims mass is at noon every day in the cathedral and being with 4 Catholic girls...well, you get the picture. It's quite an occasion with an hour long mass of which I understood not a word but was still moving. And it ended with the swinging of the botafumeiro, a thurible filled with burning incense that weighs a ton and takes 6 men to get it swinging. I posted a great video on Facebook that came from YouTube. I was too far away to video it. Besides a woman in front held up her iPad to do a video and it might as well have been her wide screen TV! Blocked everything behind her! Rumor has it the incense was to temper the odors of the unwashed pilgrims:). The pilgrims today are the cleanest hikers I've ever met!
Santiago didn't feel like an accomplishment. The hiking was easy. Days were short. Food more than plentiful and frequent. Showers daily. Just felt like a journey...one of many for me. I fear that the more I do, the less significant they become. Just another day in the life... And is that good it bad? Living more in each moment, for sure. Some moments I enjoy more than others. Some moments I have to learn how to take care of myself without affecting others.
Some days, like today, are pure joy! April and I hiked past Santiago to the coast heading to Finisterre, where many say the true end of the Camino is. We stayed in Santiago until Marjukka left (Wed morning...Victoria left to hike to Finisterre the day before wanton alone time and having a schedule). And we decided since we had time and could find no other trails out here to hike, that we'd go slow and hike out and back to Santiago over 12 days. This has been the best part of the hike...even 3 days of rain! Through more woods and hillier terrain, with fewer pilgrims. Today was spectacular over the moors for 13 kms (longest distance without a cafe - 8 miles - does that tell you something?). And the sun came out to warm us up! (Yesterday I hiked in rain in sandals and shorts, temps in the low 50's! Brr!)
And we reached the ocean!!! What amazing views! And our room tonight with only 4, has a view!
Livin' the life,
BagLady
Cee, Spain
Arrived into Santiago de Compostella last Monday (this is Saturday) in the first rain we've really had to deal with. There was a drizzle one day in 6 weeks, I think. First things first. The girls were focused on getting there Compostella: a certificate that says you've hiked the Camino, at least the last 100 kms. I could care less about certificates but it was important to them so I zipped my lip (I know, rare moment) and joined in their excitement. It was a significant accomplishment for Victoria and Marjukka and I'm so proud of them for them for making it!!! Our group had expanded for a few days to include Cara, a young girl from the USA that has been bopping around Europe for about 6 months. Having gotten certified, I was focused on finding a room. A cute one at that. Since the night before we had stayed in a 500 bed albergue, I wanted something a but more intimate:). It was part of a conference center that I calculated would sleep several thousand people: 30 buildings sleeping about 300 in each...you do the math! I had spotted solace on the way in, but the group needed the tourist info recommendation and to stop by another albergue that we didn't like before going to my preference: Azabache Albergue. Cute place with 2 bunks per room, large windows and balcony, kitchen, old and quaint. We all loved it! Around the corner from the Cathedral, near to everything! And we could stay as long as we wanted, something you can't do in a regular albergue.
Pilgrims mass is at noon every day in the cathedral and being with 4 Catholic girls...well, you get the picture. It's quite an occasion with an hour long mass of which I understood not a word but was still moving. And it ended with the swinging of the botafumeiro, a thurible filled with burning incense that weighs a ton and takes 6 men to get it swinging. I posted a great video on Facebook that came from YouTube. I was too far away to video it. Besides a woman in front held up her iPad to do a video and it might as well have been her wide screen TV! Blocked everything behind her! Rumor has it the incense was to temper the odors of the unwashed pilgrims:). The pilgrims today are the cleanest hikers I've ever met!
Santiago didn't feel like an accomplishment. The hiking was easy. Days were short. Food more than plentiful and frequent. Showers daily. Just felt like a journey...one of many for me. I fear that the more I do, the less significant they become. Just another day in the life... And is that good it bad? Living more in each moment, for sure. Some moments I enjoy more than others. Some moments I have to learn how to take care of myself without affecting others.
Some days, like today, are pure joy! April and I hiked past Santiago to the coast heading to Finisterre, where many say the true end of the Camino is. We stayed in Santiago until Marjukka left (Wed morning...Victoria left to hike to Finisterre the day before wanton alone time and having a schedule). And we decided since we had time and could find no other trails out here to hike, that we'd go slow and hike out and back to Santiago over 12 days. This has been the best part of the hike...even 3 days of rain! Through more woods and hillier terrain, with fewer pilgrims. Today was spectacular over the moors for 13 kms (longest distance without a cafe - 8 miles - does that tell you something?). And the sun came out to warm us up! (Yesterday I hiked in rain in sandals and shorts, temps in the low 50's! Brr!)
And we reached the ocean!!! What amazing views! And our room tonight with only 4, has a view!
Livin' the life,
BagLady
Thursday, May 15, 2014
Nearing Santiago
May 15, 2014
Portos, Spain
You won't find this place on any map, probably. We're about 75 kms from Santiago. Last weekend we bussed ahead to Sarria, the town about 100 kms out from Santiago. That's all you really have to hike to get your Compostella, the official stamp. And that's all many, if not most, walk. The crowds are unbelievable! We're booking ahead our rooms to be sure we have a place. We're also reserving at in-between smaller places and that's a delight.
Being back in the mountains feels fabulous! I'm hiking strong and feeling great. Have met too many people. It gets exhausting. And skipping changes your Camino family so that's a downer. But our little tribe of the Four Crazy ... Happy Ladies is moving on down the trail.
Tonight we're in newish bunkroom of only 8 woman!! What a treat this is. Maybe no snorers. Maybe. And we have a lovely, grassy, shady yard. Ever so pleasant. Unlike the bunkrooms of 20-40 beds in the larger towns. And there's a restaurant up the country road with a yummy menu...soup and salad for dinner tonight!!!
Lots of letting go and more acceptance of what is. That is the way of the Camino.
Buen Camino,
BagLady
Portos, Spain
You won't find this place on any map, probably. We're about 75 kms from Santiago. Last weekend we bussed ahead to Sarria, the town about 100 kms out from Santiago. That's all you really have to hike to get your Compostella, the official stamp. And that's all many, if not most, walk. The crowds are unbelievable! We're booking ahead our rooms to be sure we have a place. We're also reserving at in-between smaller places and that's a delight.
Being back in the mountains feels fabulous! I'm hiking strong and feeling great. Have met too many people. It gets exhausting. And skipping changes your Camino family so that's a downer. But our little tribe of the Four Crazy ... Happy Ladies is moving on down the trail.
Tonight we're in newish bunkroom of only 8 woman!! What a treat this is. Maybe no snorers. Maybe. And we have a lovely, grassy, shady yard. Ever so pleasant. Unlike the bunkrooms of 20-40 beds in the larger towns. And there's a restaurant up the country road with a yummy menu...soup and salad for dinner tonight!!!
Lots of letting go and more acceptance of what is. That is the way of the Camino.
Buen Camino,
BagLady
Saturday, May 10, 2014
Foncebadon - A New Day
May 10, 2014
If I've learned anything on these long trails it's "don't make a final decision on a bad day!" Today is the best day yet. We're hiking into the mountains! Strenuous hiking. Not that flat road stuff. I've also decided that the one thing I can change is my attitude when there's nothing else. So I'm doing that. Whatever will be will be. If it's hot, wet bandannas cool meat night. Need a window open, ask. If someone is rude...be extra nice. They're having a hard time too. Working through my challenges. Looking for the beauty in each day...and there's plenty! Every day, every little village just blows me away with their old old buildings and ruins. Just so quaint!!!!
And today I feel so high I can touch the sky. My feet were flying! I was passing people going uphill:). Love them endorphins!!
Just hiked up to Foncebadon, the highest village on the Camino. We're staying in a hut in the back on mattresses on the floor. We're next to the chicken coop on a hippie farm! So cool! Love this place. The village is mostly the remains of fallen down stone houses. The roofs were wood braces and thatching but that's all gone and the walls are crumbling.
(Ok, got my first request to close the place up tight. The battle begins! What's with these Europeans who bring to the mountains only sleeping sheets and expect that that's enough to stay warm? I don't get it. I've walked through the dorms at night with all the windows closed and 40 bodies sleeping...and it was so warm and humid that it was disgusting. I showed her where the blankets are but she wasn't interested. I can drag my mattress out on the porch tonight I guess. Just noticed that there's a fire going in the fireplace. Oh boy ! )
Deep breath. We'll get through this night too.
Livin' the dream,
BagLady
If I've learned anything on these long trails it's "don't make a final decision on a bad day!" Today is the best day yet. We're hiking into the mountains! Strenuous hiking. Not that flat road stuff. I've also decided that the one thing I can change is my attitude when there's nothing else. So I'm doing that. Whatever will be will be. If it's hot, wet bandannas cool meat night. Need a window open, ask. If someone is rude...be extra nice. They're having a hard time too. Working through my challenges. Looking for the beauty in each day...and there's plenty! Every day, every little village just blows me away with their old old buildings and ruins. Just so quaint!!!!
And today I feel so high I can touch the sky. My feet were flying! I was passing people going uphill:). Love them endorphins!!
Just hiked up to Foncebadon, the highest village on the Camino. We're staying in a hut in the back on mattresses on the floor. We're next to the chicken coop on a hippie farm! So cool! Love this place. The village is mostly the remains of fallen down stone houses. The roofs were wood braces and thatching but that's all gone and the walls are crumbling.
(Ok, got my first request to close the place up tight. The battle begins! What's with these Europeans who bring to the mountains only sleeping sheets and expect that that's enough to stay warm? I don't get it. I've walked through the dorms at night with all the windows closed and 40 bodies sleeping...and it was so warm and humid that it was disgusting. I showed her where the blankets are but she wasn't interested. I can drag my mattress out on the porch tonight I guess. Just noticed that there's a fire going in the fireplace. Oh boy ! )
Deep breath. We'll get through this night too.
Livin' the dream,
BagLady
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)