Life With the Pilgrims and Others

We are supposed to open our doors and admit pilgrim's at 2pm. But they start arriving at noon hot and tired. So, open our doors early. Otherwise there will be a line of sixteen pilgrims sitting out front until two and then, except for the first in line, waiting more time for us to do the paper work, stamp the credential, etc for each pilgrim ahead of them in the line. 

So a French man comes into day, at about 1pm and starts bitching about how long the paper work is taking and he doesn't think it is necessary. He say he was a hospitalero in France and they didn't have to do this. And yak, yak, yak. Distracting me from doing the very paperwork he was complaining about. 

I told him that we don't like doing it either, but the police require it for safety reason. He threw his hands up as though this was the most rediculous thing he had ever heard and that we were stupid to believe it. I finally just suggested the most logical solution to his problem. If he didn't stay here, he wouldn't have to do it.  I don't think he liked it, but he shut up and all the other pilgrims were grateful. Those other pilgrims were mostly Spanish. I think they took his comments as a criticism of Spain. I know I did. 

So, later in the evening he turned into a thoroughly delightful fellow. We discussed the different routes we've done and which ones we like best. I think he was just tired and cranky. Lord knows, I don't even need to be tired to be cranky. I still do not work and play well with others. Though, I think I've become a little better at not showing it. I can't count how many times a day I just want to take my marbles and go home. Oh, and maybe kick your marbles out of the circle before I leave. Oh well, not perfect . . . yet. lol

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Elidio, Clinete and I went to the market this morning to load up on supplies for "Happy Hour" and breakfast. As we were coming out of the supermercado I noticed a hair salon. I had been wanting to get my hair cut for a while. The place I was going to go to in Grado had a sign up that they would be on vacation until the end of August. So, I was excited o see this other place. I walked in and made an appointment for two hours later. 

When I showed up for my appointment, she was just finishing a haircut on the cutest little boy. He was about 6 or 7,with big brown eyes and dark brown/black hair. Then it was my turn. I explained I wanted it really short, we talked about the Albergue. It is new to the town and has only been open for a couple of months. She is from Cuba, but has lived in Spain for many years. Her friend came in who was from Miami, but has been living in Spain got 30 years. She had visited Cuba many times back in the pre Castro days. She is 80 now. It was a fun time and I left with a wonderful haircutfor only 22€!

When I got back to the Albergue, Elidio took a picture so I could show you my new do. Ask Leea, I am terrible at selfies. 

I've been missing my old man hat that left me on the Camino. The baseball type hat with the brim makes it hard to see any thing other than the ground right in front of my feet, if it is blocking the sun. So I was browsing in the Bazaar Chino store in Grado, and found a new old man hat that is even water resistant. I love those stores. It's kind of like the 99 cent store on steroids. Packed full of wonderful gadgets and items from hardware to panty hose. 

Well Clinete just told me she's leaving tomorrow. She was going to be here a week, but she wants to go see a friend and has a ride there tomorrow. There's usually only two hospitaleros anyway, so I'm sure we will be ok. 

Guess I'd better get stuff set up for tomorrow's breakfast, and get some sleep.