Someone set their alarm for 4:30 am this morning. Ugh. I guess if they want to get to
Santiago for noon mass it makes sense, but it wakes everyone up. We left at 7:30 am and
walked 11 km before we stopped for breakfast at a cafe I visited three years ago. Some
stretches of this route are familiar from three years ago and some are not. There was a nice
stretch of trail in the forest shade.
This destination town, Caldas de Reis, reminds me of Perth, Ont – old stone buildings, a river
through down town, and green space. Unlike Perth, it has hot springs. The traditional laundry
structure has hot spring water flowing through it so pilgrims stop and soak their feet in it.
Rumour has it that the brave pilgrims return after dark and join adventurous locals in nude
soaking. It’s only 16” deep so I imagine it’s less soaking and more exposing. I’ll be in bed long
before that activity begins.
Mark and I stopped at a Donair place for lunch here in town and started messaging albergues
for beds. It took three before we secured spots. This route is quite busy. I sat and watched
pilgrims come into town this afternoon. It was sunny and warm. Women outnumber men for
sure on this camino. I saw quite a few couples, 60+ years, as well, dressed in matching outfits- personalized Camino jerseys and some hats. Interesting. It was the number of women
entering town in just sports bras that surprised me. It was hot, but we didn’t see that on any
other Camino. It’s not a Spanish thing for sure.
Mark is currently sleeping. He has “the chills” and maybe a fever. If he is unwell in the
morning, we’ll just take a cab to the next city and get him some more rest. At this point, the
walking is just exercise until we fly home Thursday.