“If you obsess over whether you are making the right decision, you are basically assuming that the universe will reward you for one thing and punish you for another. The universe has no fixed agenda. Once you make a decision, it works around that decision. There is no right or wrong only a series of possibilities that shift with each thought, feeling, and action that you experience.” Deepak Chopra
I woke up this morning to find Patricia from Poland gone for the day but she left three little snacks on the chair by my bed. What a kind gesture. ❤️ I really hope our paths cross again. 🙏
The Camino, just like life, is a, choose your own adventure fairytale. It’s full of options. Do I take the original path or the scenic route? Do I follow the stages of the guidebook or stay at places in the smaller villages in between the stages? Do I walk alone or with a group? And on, and on, and on. Decisions are being made constantly. One of the toughest choices for a pilgrim is to stay put and rest to be able to walk every mile or take transportation. Many factors come into play…travel timelines, other people, body injuries, etc.
Today I had to make that tough decision. As I wrote yesterday, I had reserved a bed in a town about 19 km away but I wasn’t 100% sure if I would walk part of the way (I heard this stage is a really pretty part of the Camino) or just take a rest day and ride the rails forward.
When I woke up my blisters had filled with fluid again and were extremely painful. I drained them but they are too tender to walk on…even short distances. So I said Bom Caminho to all my roommates as they headed off to walk for the day. Staying behind is mentally and emotionally, not fun. I love to be out on the trail walking so you feel a little left behind. But honestly, it’s not much fun when the pain is this miserable.
I stayed in the monastery until the pharmacy opened at 9 am. I bought some more medicated foot pads and tape then headed off to sit at a cafe and wait for the train. I figured I’d take the 11:45 am so I wasn’t arriving to early at the hostel. Plus, Christina had offered to pick me up and I know they are extremely busy in the mornings flipping the rooms for the next set of pilgrims. So I read my book and had a doppio espresso and my fav, a chocolate croissant.
At about 11:15 am I decided to start the 3 min walk over to the train station to see about a ticket. On the way, I ran into Annie from Germany. She was in my room last night and I said goodbye to her about 7:30 am so I was surprised to see that she was still in town. She said she had just been to the doctor at the Red Cross (for pilgrims) and they told her to take a rest day because of a knee issue she was experiencing. I asked where the clinic was because I’d like to have my foot examined again. Turns out we were standing in front of the building. Bonus! So I went inside.
I had already texted Christina about picking me up but thankfully (and weirdly) the message hadn’t gone through so I deleted it. I wasn’t sure I’d make the 11:45 train after all.
Luckily, there was no line and the Doc saw me immediately. She cleaned the “wound,” popped the blisters again(!!!), put some medicine and iodine on it before wrapping it up and telling me, “No walking today…and maybe not tomorrow either.” Sigh.
Being sidelined sucks…no two ways about it. I can feel myself getting a little down about the situation but I’m trying to see the silver lining and stay positive.
On a positive note, I was in and out in less than 10 min. Still enough time to make the train! I texted Christina again and she said she’d be there.
While looking for the kiosk to buy the ticket, a kind man and previous pilgrim, named Alberto, 62 and from Portugal, helped me to get everything accomplished. He then stood with me on the platform and showed me photos of his family (strangers love to show me photos of their families-it happens to me weekly in life and almost daily on the Camino) and the Camino that he did with his son several years ago. In the meantime, several other pilgrims I’ve met along the way were riding the train as well due to some injuries and time constraints. I introduced them to Alberto. It was a lovely experience.
Alberto asked me where I was staying and when I told him the name of the hostel, Quinta da Quinhas, he said, “Oh Christina is the best!” So apparently he stayed here on his Camino too.
He told me when I get off the train to go straight into the church (which is absolutely beautiful!) across the street to get a stamp. It’s of an anchor which represents the town of Ancora.
When I came out Christina was waiting for me in the car. Perfect timing. Alberto was right, she is great! She asked if I wanted to stop at the grocery store because there isn’t one close to the hostel. So we made a pit stop before making our way to the accommodation. I bought a bunch or random stuff because…well, I wasn’t prepared I guess. And I’m not much a cook on the Camino so I just eat prepackaged snacky food.
We made it to the hostel and all I can say is WOW! If you ever hike the coastal route between Porto and Santiago, I would highly recommend staying here. It’s an old farm and they have redone the house beautifully and they have animals!!! So far I’ve met the donkey, who is very (very, very) vocal – he or she has a set of lungs like you wouldn’t believe – a rabbit, a Guinea pig and a cat. I’ve only heard the turkeys, I haven’t seen them. They reside somewhere behind the donkey enclosure.
The grounds are STUNNING. I’m so relaxed here. I could stay a week! Plus, it’s €25 (€28 online) and that includes breakfast, (FREE) washing machine, a towel and sheets. Luxuries for us silly pilgrims. My clothes smell AMAZING!
I’m the ONLY person in this amazing dorm tonight. There is one other pilgrim, from Canada, staying and she is in the private single room. For the pilgrims reading this who stress about finding a bed. It’s definitely better to stay between the stages of the guidebooks. You can discover hidden little gems that aren’t packed with people. ❤️
Goodnight and much love from Portugal! 🇵🇹
Scenes from Day 26
