You get three quotes today because that’s how important I believe rest to be.
“If you get tired, learn to rest, not to quit.” – Bansky
“Rest is not idle, is not wasteful. Sometimes rest is the most important thing you can do for body and soul. – Erica Layne
“Sometimes the best solution is to rest, relax, and recharge. It’s hard to be your best on empty.” – Sam Glenn
The day off was the holy grail of all of days. Wow, today was so good and so needed. I am beyond grateful.
We all still woke up early but it was different to not be in a rush to get walking. We had a goodbye coffee with Pablo because he is off to start the Primativo today. I think I was still asleep because I paid for everyone’s breakfast. Or maybe Pablo’s kindness is rubbing off on me. He says we will definitely see him in Santiago because he will wait for us so we can all celebrate together. Pilgrim party!
We discussed Rafa Nadal’s big win in the quarterfinals yesterday of the French Open and Carlos Alcaraz (an up and coming Spanish player) who Pablo is really excited about.
After Pablo left, we moved to the other café on our block and had another coffee. We don’t want to look like squatters.
Stephen went to a park to chill out while Dora and I went walking around the city to find the Sephora so we could smell all the amazing perfumes, tests all the face cream samples and look at all the things we can’t buy because it’s too heavy for our backpacks. A girl can dream can’t she? We also stopped by Decathlon (said Deck-a-tron – I don’t know where they get the “r”) the sporting goods store. Dora needed socks and I needed new hiking poles.
After that we split up to do our own stuff.
I needed a toenail polish change badly. I don’t normally wear polish on the Camino but I have a black toenail from last year’s Camino and the marathon. Gross, I know. I don’t want to freak out the other pilgrims. I couldn’t find a nail salon that would take walk-ins. Apparently, that is normal procedure over here. So I went back to Sephora and grabbed some really tiny red polish. Gotta consider the weight of everything. Then I did an absolutely horrendous job of painting my own nails. I have never been able to do the cute girly stuff very well which is why I have an amazing hairdresser, Alan, who cuts my hair so it falls into place without much effort and a manicurist, Sally, who will make my feet look amazing even after a black toenail or two. If I was a Spice Girl, I’d definitely be Sporty Spice. I mean, I was walking around the city with trekking poles and nail polish. I am who I am, no apologies. Anyhoo, I was headed to the supermarket with Stephen to get some remover to clean up my mess (I already used the two little travel removers I had to take off the original polish) and he noticed a nail salon next door with zero customers. Come on, Camino…you are always looking out after me! Why do I ever doubt you? I went in and this lovely woman, Veronica, who is originally from Paraguay but has lived in Oviedo for six years, took care of me. She/we laughed as she removed my awful paint job and repainted them. I let her pick the color. Hot pink. Totally out of my comfort zone but when in Spain, am I right? She was only going to charge me 3€ but I told her no less than 5€ because she was so kind and caring with her process. I mean, who wants to deal with pilgrim feet? That’s some Jesus work right there. Bless Ms. Veronica. I feel human again. For anyone with questions, I don’t ever get a pedicure before or during the Camino…you need tough skin for this outing.
Stephen and I went and had an amazing lunch after my polish change. I had a delicious steak salad and he had cake and a smoothie. Dora was still running around the city trying to find a few things that she needs…probably another selfie stick or something.
After lunch the sun hid behind the clouds and it started pouring rain. I was thrilled. I have serious FOMO (Dad, this means “Fear Of Missing Out” – he’s not up to date on the young people’s lingo) sometimes, especially in a new city. So the rain forced me back to the hostel for some much needed rest. It was one of those good storms like we have in Kansas with thunder and lightning. Perfect weather to snuggle up in the sleeping bag and read.
Two new girls are in our room tonight.
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Emma, 26 from the UK. She is very kind and sweet…and a little naïve. This is her first Camino and tomorrow is her first day of hiking. She said she is very nervous. She chose the Primativo as her first route because it takes about two weeks from Oviedo and she doesn’t have much time…yet she has no plan after this. Hmmmmm. She said, “I’ve heard it’s a little hilly,” in her sweet British accent. As I’ve mentioned, the Primativo is known to be the most difficult route. She is nervously eating chocolate and had me check the the quality of her rain poncho…it’s kind of cute. She might be screwed. Send prayers…or an SOS helicopter.
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Mariana from Germany is in the bunk above me. This is her first Camino as well but she has been hiking since San Sebastián. She is a little nervous about the Primativo but I think she is aware of what she is in for…and she’s German. They can do anything.
Dinner was leftovers from last night’s local cuisine. It heated up pretty well. And Dora bought some dim sum which was a fun treat.
I’m using my paper Sephora bag to hopefully ripen my avocado quicker.
Mariana just blew up her dinner in the microwave. Sounded like a bomb.
One of the parks in the city changes the date in one of the gardens every day.
Highlight: FaceTiming with my bestie Squint for an hour!
Dora sent more photos from the last few days. I’ve included them. One of us at the bus stop and another selfie stick pic.
Stephen only called me Melanie once today.
Emma is now nervously eating potato chips. Stephen is trying to comfort her but I don’t think it’s working.
Quote of the day: Me, while we were all sitting together at the dinner table. “I love that we are all sitting here texting photos to each other on the ‘full of shit hikers’ group text instead of just talking to each other. I feel so close to you guys now.” (The group chat is named this because of some of the stories we’ve heard, wow, lots of tall tales on the trail. Ha! – my trust issues are growing.)
Tomorrow we hike. Supposedly, there are some big storms headed our way this week. Let’s see how far we get.
Oviedo – 0 day
Goodnight and much love from Spain.
