“Connection is why we are here. We are hardwired to connect with others, it is what gives purpose and meaning to our lives, and without it there is suffering.” – Brene Brown
First things first…Happy Birthday to my best friend, Squint! 🎉 I’d love for her to join me on one of these Camino adventures but her version of being “outdoorsy” is wine and a charcuterie board inside a screened-in patio.🍷 So I gave her a gift certificate to a spa instead of a trip to walk 400 miles through Portugal. Although she probably would have enjoyed the Port wine.
Oh today was so much fun! I had a fantastic walk…mostly on the boardwalk which was such a relief for my blisters/feet.
On the way out of town, I noticed a guy shooting hoops by himself (before 8 am) on a public court near the beach. As I got closer I could see he was wearing a Brooklyn Nets jersey. I walked out on the court to say hello and ask him about his Jersey and if he was a fan. Boy oh boy was he a fan. He, David, said the Nets are his favorite team. So I told him how awesome I thought it was to find a fan from Portugal and that he wore the jersey. Then I mentioned that I used to work for the Nets several years ago. He asked me what years was I there and when I told him, he rattled off all the players on the team and what years we made the playoffs. Yep, he’s a legit fan.
We continued our discussion about sports and he could not stop smiling from ear to ear because he had someone to connect with about his passion for basketball and the NBA. The energy was palpable. It made me excited to connect with him too. I’m really enjoying all these interactions with the locals.
I know I’m choosing to walk alone on this Camino but I’m still very much connected to the people in my surroundings…including David, the biggest Portuguese Nets fan I’ve found…so far.
He let me take this awesome photo of him shooting. It was such a beautiful morning and I love that he was out there shooting hoops and making the most of his day. It was the perfect way to start my morning off on the right foot.
Not long after I said goodbye and high-fived with David, it started to rain. Thankfully, I’ve mastered walking and putting on the blue beast so I don’t have to stop. I kept walking through town and happened to notice myself in the reflection on a building window. Good God I look like the blue version of the Hunchback of Notre Dame. It was almost frightening if it wasn’t so hilarious.
The rain subsided by the time I got to the boardwalk and the views and the day as a whole was stunning.
Somewhere along the way I met Jose. A local man who is 62 years old and teaches kids from ages 6-10 how to read. He jogs 10 km (6 miles) on the boardwalk and loves chatting with the pilgrims. We walked at least 3 km together. He was teaching me a few words in Portuguese as well as the history of the local area. We had a fantastic time chatting. He says he loves jogging outside so he can stay in shape and get tan…
I met another American! She introduced herself, “Hi, I’m May, like the month.” Haha. So cute. She is from New Jersey and this is her first Camino. She first heard about the Camino during a college Spanish class in the 90s. I asked her to join in on the traffic mirror self fun and she obliged.
I discovered a pizza vending machine! It had been installed three days prior at a pilgrim stop called The X just before entering Esposende. It was invented by an Italian man who only wanted to use fresh ingredients…the machine actually mixes the flour and water. Fresh, hot pizza ready in 3 minutes. I didn’t try it but others did and the reviews are good so far. Check out @thewonderingwanderer.insta Instagram account to see a tour from the owner.
Tonight, Delores from Milano made homemade spaghetti with zucchini for a bunch of us staying together at the hostel. It was fantastic! Delores is a keeper. She is really too much fun…and a great teacher. My Italian vocabulary is expanding! At our dining table were three Italians, a Dane, a Brit, and me.
The hostel we are at is excellent. It’s called Sea Soul and it has a pool. It was freezing but felt so good on my muscles. 🏊🏼♀️ Plus, it has pods and I love those. They provide so much privacy.
Goodnight and much love from Portugal! 🇵🇹
Scenes from Day 24
