Swimming Pools & Sheep's Wool: Day 7, Camino

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“Sometimes miracles are just good people with kind hearts.” – Internet Meme

I’m not going to lie. I’m itching to get walking again. Two days of hanging out has been wonderful for my foot but I love to be active and I’m getting restless. I really miss the trail.

I will say, I’ve noticed my own personal growth through this experience though. The former version of me would have probably broken down, cried, and wallowed in my misfortune but now I see these delays and challenges as my teachers.

Around 6 am, I said Bom/Buen Camino to all the ladies as they left the hostel and then I rested some more. At about 10:30 am I decided to go to Orlando’s cafe to get a coffee and something to eat. I skipped dinner last night…since I’m not moving much, I’m not very hungry. Orlando made me a lovely ham and cheese sandwich with butter (a staple on the Camino) and a coffee. Side note: I like that they use butter instead of mayonnaise or mustard. Australians do this as well and I love the taste of the sandwich.

Since I’m still on a day of rest but I’ve exhausted my stay at the hostel in Santarem, I asked Orlando to call me a taxi so I could go to the next town where I made a reservation. Do you know what he said? “I’ll take you, no problem. It’s only 20 km (12 miles) and I like helping the pilgrims.”

Seriously, the Portuguese people are beyond kind. They have opened their arms and gone above and beyond for me. Since he owns and operates the café he said he would take me when he closed for siesta. So I read a book in the corner and when he closed up shop, we left. He wouldn’t accept any money, he said it made him feel good to be helpful.

I’ve never been good at receiving help or gifts but I do believe there is an even greater gift in letting someone give to or help you. I am so grateful for his kindness.

Click here to see a video of our journey. https://youtube.com/shorts/QOMVhh-3Ms8?feature=share

Between Emilia, Lucia, Orlando, and Dr. Dina, I couldn’t have had a better experience during my time in Santarem.

Now, while I enjoyed my time in Santarem because of the people, I’m absolutely loving the pilgrim hostel, Casa das Portas, I’m staying at tonight in Azinhaga. My afternoon is going extremely well so far.

What? Not every moment needs to be about penance, sacrifice, and learning lessons on the Camino. There can be a swimming pool thrown in the mix every now and again. 😉

Besides the pool and hitching a ride, today feels much more like a Camino at the hostel. I’ve met two lovely women from South Africa and two more from Denmark. We all ate dinner together, drank wine, and got to know each other. I love learning about other people’s lives and the countries they are from. The world is such an amazing and fascinating place.

Here is a fun story about the women from South Africa, Shirley & Mariette. They both walked the Camino Frances in 2019. They didn’t know each other on the trail but they walked the path two weeks apart. Then, back in SA, one of the women went into the work place of the other woman, they struck up a conversation and of course the Camino was a topic. They’ve been friends ever since and they are waking the Portuguese Camino together. The Camino is always bringing people together in the most unique ways. ❤️

Tonight Mariette gave me sheep’s wool from her farm to put on my foot. Hello! I now have South African sheep’s wool in my backpack. ❤️ Apparently, the Lanolin oil on the wool will prevent blisters. Who knew?

I’m excited to start walking tomorrow! I don’t know how far I’ll go or where I will sleep, but isn’t that the fun part of an adventure? Never knowing where you’ll end up!

Goodnight and much love from (poolside) Portugal! 🇵🇹

Scenes from Day 7