Santiago!

We made it!

I have spent the last hour trying to upload the last post of this trip. 

I think the photo heavy post is too much for San Marin Pinario's Internet. 

And so it will have to wait until I am in Madrid next week. 

Until then, know all pilgrims made it safe and sound. 

They kindly treated me to a fantastic seafood dinner upon arrival. 

This was a wonderful and unique group who bonded closely on the Camino

I will miss them. 

Pedrouzo

The walk to Pedrouzo is beautiful and easy.  Here are some photos. 

Pension Maribel

We love pension Maribel!  She has just remodeled the whole place and it is super nice. 

The rooms are clean, bright, cheerful, and affordable. There is a sweet yard and patio out back. 

I will post photos when I return to portland. They are in my dropbox and I cannot figure out how to get them onto my iphone. 

For dinner, Padrilla Boy can't be beat!  The food is home cooked and mouth watering!  To me it is more affordable and much better than Galaisco. 

Beef Churrasco

Lovely Casteneda

Oh!

I'm in love with Castaneda!

Seen in Melide

Still being used for laundry.

Barbara washing her clothes

Palas de Rei

The morning began with breakfast.
 I had Cola Cao and just look at Jack's cafe con leche!

We stayed at Apartamentos Guillermo and it was wonderful!

Barbara cooked a great tuna pasta dinner.
Chantal and Pat made salad and bought a cake.
Gary brought the wine.
We feasted!
 It was a great bonding time. 

The rooms there are quite nice.
Anniewalkers had been staying at Pension Palace
but I think this will change next year. 

We had two apartments which meant two kitchens and two living rooms! 

Jack used one for his Tai Chi. 

The bedrooms were bright and comfortable. 

Rates were reasonable. 

The manager, Luis, was very helpful!  He took me to pick up my bag at another hotel and then delivered Jack and I to the fisiotherapista for much needed massage. 

Th 'complete' massage for 36 euros was quite an experience.  It was a cold room. I was pretty much naked except for two towels I asked for to cover strategic places. And the receptionist kept just walking in and chatting as though I wasn't there. I guess if you've seen one butt you've seen them all!  

The massage was strong - on the edge of being painful. When I asked what type of massage it was, she said 'deportivo' or sports massage. I cried out a few times and nearly kicked her in the teeth twice. But it worked and I felt much better the next day!

If you are in Palas de Rei, try the massage!

No, really!

Love, Annie

To Portomarin

Just 4 days left to Santiago!

Here are some photos I took yesterday on the way to Portomarin. 

And of course I can't forget my bacalau dinner and the empanada Barbara bought for the group!

To O Cebreiro and Sarria

Photos from today's stop at O Cebreiro and our walk to Sarria.
I taxied that last 4 kilometers.

Hoping to be able to walk 23k tomorrow.

Santiago in O Cebreiro Chapel

Gary

Samos Monastery

View from my window in Sarria

To Villafranca

The morning began with ominous clouds and graffiti-covered waymarks, making it confusing to explain how to leave town. In fact, I told Paul to follow the arrows behind the hotel, but he brought to my attention that there WERE no arrows behind the hotel. They've all been covered up by graffiti!

But everyone seemed to find their way. 

We were treated to the sight of several dozen storks feeding in a field. 

They must have been after frogs. 

Poor poor froggies!

I saw the biggest, bushiest, healthiest mullein plant I have ever seen!  

If I had been home, it would have been harvested on the spot!  

This one would make a lot of ear oil!

More ominous skies...

I ate THE best hamburguesa, hands down, in Cacabelos at this open air market. 

It was 3,50 and I swear, it was so good I think I'll move there!

  Look for an open market with this mural inside. 

Then find the Kabab place and order up !

They also had some pretty good looking fish and while I was eating, the butcher brought in a whole skinned goat.

It reminded me why I feel so healthy here.

The food is FRESH!  

The bread was baked today. 

The fish was caught today. 

The lamb slaughtered today. 

The eggs were laid today. 

The tomatoes and lettuce and cherries were picked TODAY!  

It makes a huge difference in your body when you feed it good healthy FRESH food!

I also stopped at the tiny church that is now a museum. Just wanted to leave a donation and take a few photos. 

Then a quick visit at another church to see this gorgeous window!

All in all it was a good day!  

I took the long route into Villafranca. I should have walked the road. I was pretty fried by the time I reached Villafranca and have 3 lovely toe blisters to show for my trip.

But then Livia picked me up at the edge of town and drove me to la Piedra.  I was ever so grateful!

Tomorrow we taxi to O Cebreiro, then to Triacastela and walk to Sarria. 

From that point, anyone in the group wanting the actual Compostela must walk every step of the way. They've had two weeks of training. Wish them luck!

Buen Camino!

Annie