Mette and I set out early to be the heat. This day we walked through fields and vineyards which were hot by 10 am. We were past the larger communities tied to Lisbon and now going through small farm communities. The route passed through the river delta, fertile and wet. Most fields and vineyards used irrigation piping with the river source so close.
Roly
Roly, from near Bristol, England caught up to us, chatted with us, and left us in the dust. He was a retired police officer making the best use of his retirement. He had completed several Caminos and told me that this may be my first, but it wouldn’t be my last.
Emma
Emma, from South Africa, injured her leg two weeks before the trip so she rented a bike to get her doctor’s blessing for her Camino. She is an educator who currently designs curriculum and delivery methods for universities.
She recently made a major change and was trying to decide what she really wanted in life. Immigration to Vancouver, Canada is a dream. She says we Canadians don’t realize how lucky we are to a have passports so well respected in the world. Travel is easier for us. She had to get visas for both Portugal and Spain, show proof of employment, and prove that she had more than enough money in her account to support her time abroad.
Ali
I met Khurshedjon Khusenov (Ali) from Uzbekistan at the N1 Hostel in Santarem. He and his friend from home were studying Hotel Management in Sweden. They were using their one week school break to tour Portugal. He wants to stay in Europe to work but also feels an obligation to return home. Many more opportunities exist for him in Europe. He invited me to attend his arranged marriage next year in Uzbekistan.
This was a long hot day covering 43.5 km. Mette, Emma, and I had a great dinner and chat that night. I kept in touch with Mette and Emma for the remainder of my trip. We all reached Santiago.