Life's a Stitch

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We woke up dark and early, and used our pink kitchen one last time. The cupboards are really pink, not painted. 

It served us well. I made pork chops and pimientos last night, we ate two and used the leftovers for sandwiches for lunch. For brekkie we had bread, cheese and jam along with delicious rich Galician yogurt. C tried the Santiago tart flavour, a traditional pilgrim cake that should have tasted like almonds, but really didn’t.

I packed my umbrella despite reports of no rain, but 99% humidity. I used it. I’m learning. 

 

The route today joined one we walked last time, but not before a significant hill. We learned that there is room for beauty while in pain.

I didn’t remember the significant stretch on Roman roads that included ruts from the wheels of ancient vehicles. Some of these roads and bridges in Spain are 2000 years old and are still in use today. 

 

Given that Galicia shares some of the same rainforest characteristics of British Columbia, we were bound to find mushrooms. Right at the side of the path, passed by hundreds of pilgrims, were these beautiful boletes, a variety of porcini.

 

They are now cleaned, sliced and drying in our hotel room. 

 

We spent a good amount of time talking with two brothers from Puerto Rico. They are not yet retired, but this is this fifth Camino for one of them. We chatted about Puerto Rican food, how popular genetic testing has broadened our knowledge of our Puerto Rican families and current politics that have devastated the island. 

 

Pontevedra was our destination, where we’ll spend a rest day tomorrow. We took the longer alternative route on a trail by a stream through a park rather than alongside the road. 

Our cheap hotel is right out of the 70’s. 

It’s really tired, but clean, just like these pilgrims. Good night.