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Camino de Santiago Pilgrim Portraits: March 27, 2023

I felt no better this morning so I walked across the road and asked the friendly neighbor Luis for a ride to the hospital. He took me in and got me registered. 

I was seen within five minutes, given an X-ray, a cortisone and saline shot, five puffs with two different inhalers, a lecture about hiking while sick, a prescription for antibiotics, and a stern warning to rest for six days. After the lecture, I wasn’t brave enough to ask to take a portrait of my doctor and nurse. They didn’t charge me for anything at the hospital and wouldn’t take my heath insurance card. My antibiotics cost 12 Euros at the pharmacy.

I walked into Tomar and got a single room at a hostel. I did explore a little but mostly rested. Emma was at the same hostel, journaling and enjoying a day off. 

Fabi

Fabiola (Fabi) grew up in Sweden, her parents are from Chile, and her husband is in Colorado. It’s complicated. She has been teaching in Asia for 8 years and is now trying to find a place for both her and husband to live together. Maybe Albania. She was camping along the way in vineyards, but found carrying tent and food very tiring. Being a vegetarian, she is limited in food choices. She was cooking her lunch for the next day while at hostel 2300. 

I decided to rest and recuperate in Porto, so I booked a bus ticket for the next morning and an apartment for six nights. I only walked 8.4 km today.