A Long Hard Climb

I posted a picture this morning on fb of the highest point of the climb today, Looking at it later, I don't think it captured the challenge. So here is a graphic from the guide of the altitude gain;

And here is a picture of the terrain:

About two thirds of the way up I crossed a road and thought, "Ok bus, you can run over me now." But no bus came, I couldn't figure out how to call a taxiand I don't think my Uber account works in Portugal. So the only alternative was to keep on climbing and I made it to the top. Then, looking at the graphic, I thought it would be an easy stroll down. Not even. And did I mention that group of young people decided to get up at 3:30 am. They did not do so quietly. I think they tried, but it was an epic fail. So by 4am everyone in our room was up. I about 4 hours sleep. 

I don't want to scare anyone who is thinking of doing this route. It is totally doable. I'm 69, and there were eight or more people of a similar age who did it today, including a 73 year old man. He came into cafe with hands raised in victory, saying "I'm the oldest and I'm the greatest" I don't think I could have done it without poles, but most of the younger folks did it without poles. The two Spanish kids met me at the Albergue saying, "We did it!"  

I've gotten lots of complements on my Camino tattoo that I got in 2013. I still get asked for permission to photograph it Ithink it's nice of them to ask, but anybody can take a picture of it, it is just hanging out there on my leg. 

There are two Northern European foursomes, two couples in each. I think one foursome is from Holland and one is from Germany. Yesterday while I was sitting having a cold drink at a cafe, waiting for the Albergue to open, one of the men from the Dutch foursome came over to me. He said he didn't mean to be impolite but would I mind telling him how old I am. Now that is a first! I guess my age has become a topic among the Pilgrim's walking right now. 

I'm kind of proud of my age, in the sense that I managed to survive all this time. When I was a kid, between the Russian scare and the putting your head between your knees or crawling under a desk practices for the possible atomic bomb, I didn't think I would reach my teens. I had seen pictures of atomic bomb blasts. Even at that young age I was pretty sure that sitting with my head between my knees or sitting under my desk wasn't going to keep me safe from radiation. 

When I was in my twenties, I didn't think I would live until I was thirty.  And then the way I lived my life until I was almost forty, decreased my chances for longevity. So yeah, I think it is cool that I'm still around. 

The scenery has been spectacular. We have been walking through beautiful landscape. It seems the major crops, at least for small growers in Portugal, are corn and grapes. The Camino travels through many grape arbors. It is so cool. 

My time in Portugal is drawing to an end and I had not tasted Bacalau, the popular fish dish in Portugal. So last night I treated myself to a dinner at the restaurant across from the Albergue. I had baked Bacalau, roasted potatoes, string beans and a salad. It was yummy. I was only sad that I couldn't eat it all, and I didn't think it would travel well in my backpack, so I brought the leftovers back to the Albergue and gave them to the other Pilgrims. 

Tomorrow I have a choice to spend one more night in Portugal, in Vamenca or to cross the bridge and enter Spain at Tui. I haven't made a choice yet. I may not make it until I get to Valenca and decide to stop or keep going.