24 August - Day 6

Woke up to the Gaita. This is an instrument from Galicia, which resembles bagpipes, and sounds like it pretty much. The hospitalero played 2 songs, with many mistakes, and I just had to laugh at the craziness of it. I readied and out the door.... I walked through the old part of the city which is very beautiful, over a real drawbridge at the gates of the wall that surrounds it and out.


I walked with (young) Dennis (Germany) for a bit but once in the rough countryside he walked on. Julia and Marta (Spain) and I kept passing each other periodically. They are 2 cutie pies. I stopped for a moment to check on my new blister. My Italian friends (whose names I cannot remember) and a Colombian man who was with them, doctored me right up.


I shared my avocado with them and they shared olives with me. Gave me some extra water as well. At a small village I was able to fill my bottles again. Sometimes I wonder if I will run out and not have a fountain nearby. It is important to always fill them whenever you are near any water (potable).


I started walking up to Alto del Perdon. It got steeper and muddier. The mud would try to suck my shoes off my feet. That was a tough climb. I am so thankful for my poles. The windmills at the top of the mountain would get closer and closer and bigger and bigger. They are all over these mountains bringing clean energy to the people. But they are also quite the sight...somewhat littering the landscape.


I got to the top and was tearful, so thankful to have made it and happy to see these huge metal statues of peregrinos,which I had seen for so long only in pictures.


Stayed a while, ate a bit and left with Veronika, down, down, down an all rocky trail.

That was hard on the feet and knees but easier on the legs compared to the climb up. We passed a couple of small towns. I met Didier (French) in one of those. There is an albergue there. I gave Didier a can of tuna in tomato sauce so that he could microwave tonight. He likes to stay in albergues where he can cook but this one did not have facilities and he did not want to go to the next one as he was tired. We had a little stop at a cafe and he stayed and we moved on.

We walked on to Puente La Reina and got a bunk at the albergue by the old church right in town. I settled in, showered and went to dinner with Veronika and Catherine (American). I checked my emails and went to bed. I never saw my old friends, nor my bottle of Patxaran!! I hope someone raised a glass in my name. Only my Italian friends, Julia & Marta were here. I missed the mass service. The priest washes the pilgrims´ feet. That is such a nice gesture. So much to experience here.