“Before enlightenment; chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment; chop wood, carry water.” – Zen Kōan
Today was an absolutely gorgeous day for a walk. I was very much in the moment. When I walked out of my hostel at 6:45 am the air was crisp. I almost stopped to put my coat on but instead I just picked up the pace a little to generate some body heat.
As I was walking out of town, I passed an old abandoned pink castle/mansion. It was falling apart and the vegetation was overgrown but I could just imagine what it must have been like decades ago. Family-owned with a big staff to help run the place. A big vegetable garden and fruit orchard in the back. Visitors who stayed for the entire summer. Ballroom dances, parties, high tea, and horseback riding through the fields. Sounds delightful.
Okay, Bridgerton, I was imagining Bridgerton. I haven’t seen the new season so don’t ruin it for me, pretty please, and thank you. I’m not much of a TV watcher but I just love that show.
Anyhow….nonetheless, I bet this place was amazing back in the day.
I saw so many beautiful things along this walk. It was really the first day that I wasn’t walking on the road for most of the day. And there were hills! The first for this Camino. Not big ones but I could feel the Gluteus Maximus getting a little toned.
Here are the highlights…in photo format.
Goats. There was more than one but this guy and I had a starring contest.
Olive groves.
Citrus fruit ripening.
Flowers of all colors and smells, everywhere!
Hills! With steep climbs.
Eucalyptus Forrest! I smelled it before I saw it.
A chair. In the middle of nowhere. God bless its owner.
Snails.
I had a very enjoyable walk overall and there isn’t much to say except, I can’t wait to do it again. But I will have to wait because tomorrow I’m taking a bus to visit Fatima. Today is the official celebration of when Mary (Jesus’ mom) appeared in front of the three children…so there is a big crowd. I’m not a huge fan of crowds. So tomorrow should be a good day to go.
I’m pretty tired from all the walking, laundry, surgery (on the blisters) and writing so I’m going to cut this one short out of shear exhaustion.
I’m in a nice hostel in Tomar. I’m in a seven-person dorm room but there are only four of us. Sylvia and Giovanni are from Italy…not together. We all just met.
The fourth person was a mystery man for a while, but he returned to the room and I discovered that his name is Juan and he is from Uruguay. He is not a pilgrim but a journalist/digital nomad who has been traveling all over the world for seven years. And ta-da, I understood all of that in Spanish…without Google Translate and only minor hand gestures. And I don’t even speak Spanish. So how about that! This international travel is really expanding my brain.
Here are just a few things I’ve noticed while on the Camino…not pertaining to anything specific.
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Most places (not all) only accept cash or credit cards from Portugal.
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There is a 13.25% exchange rate on cash withdrawals from the ATM. Ouch.
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You are only allowed to withdraw €200 at a time. This is annoying. I usually withdraw €600 to avoid unnecessary fees.
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Portugal is more expensive than Spain.
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A video of more stuff.
The young guy working at the restaurant where I ordered my meal to go, said he will never be a pilgrim…”it’s too much effort.” I said, “Just wait, you haven’t had your midlife crisis yet.” Ha!
Goodnight and much love from Portugal! 🇵🇹
Scenes from Day 9
Tomar is know for the Knights of Templar. They were the military order of the Catholic Church which protected the Camino and Pilgrims (along with many other things). These are their symbols.
