A Fast Walk On A Hot Day

Today I walked from Padron to Santiago to complete my Camino Portugués. It was about 25 km (15.5 mi.) If you add the distance covered walking around in the Albergue getting ready to walk, getting to the flat, and going to the market for food I walked 30.1 km (18.7 mi.) All of that in over 90 degree weather. Well that's not exactly true, it wasn't over 90 degrees when I started walking at 7 am, but most of the day it was. 

The first time I stopped for cafe, the television in the bar was reporting the Nice attack. I felt sad. As I walked today I felt sad for the people who died, and for their loved ones. I also felt sad for those who were injured. And as I was walking and pondering all of this, I realized I felt compassion for the people who perpetrated this violence. Compassion for people so consumed with hate that they would kill innocent people. It must be painful to carry that much hate. I can't imagine how dark that is. Anyway, I surprised myself. 

The walk today was ok, nothing spectacular. I met some nice people. A Spanish couple made room for me on their bench when we stopped at a roadside stand. They are walking with a group of young people and their parents. Half the group is from the Spanish city Cueta in North Africa and the other half is from Malaga. They wanted to know where I was from, how did I hear about the Camino, why did I decide to walk it, and things like that. They spoke some English, I spoke some Spanish, and we managed to communicate. Their daughter didn't say anything though her mother tried to get her to talk. I think her mother wanted her to practice her English. I passed her later when she was alone and I asked, "You speak English don't you?" She said, "A little." And smiled a secretive smile. Every time I saw her after that she gave that smile. 

I had met an American family last night from the Bay Area. They were checking into the Albergue right before me and then we sat at the same table in the Albergue to eat dinner They had a pasta dish, salad, watermelon, peanuts and drank some wine. I had my usual assortment of tuna, bread, cheese, yogurt, a peach and drank water. We had a spirited conversation. They wanted to know all about volunteering and being a hospitalero. 

Here are some of the animals I met today

And then there were these fellows:

I thought maybe the heat had melted my brain and affected my eyesight when I saw this as I approached Santiago:

But then I somehow figured out how to go, and finally in Santiago I saw this:

So I am in Santiago again. I have a few days before I go to house sit and make new friends with the cats, dogs, chickens and a priest. So, I will help out at the Pilgrim's Office for a few days. When I went in to set up my volunteer shifts, the line was so long! I wanted to start helping right then, but I was sweaty, a little disheveled from the walking, and probably a little stinky. Though everyone was too polite to mention any of this, they suggested I go to the flat and start work tomorrow. LOL!