The last few days have been over rolling hills and chilly foggy peaks. Through little villages awash with the smell of cow shit, glades with ferns and many meadows reminding us of NZ.
The thin air keeps us laughing...possibly due to a lack of oxygen. An impromptu dance party in the kitchen at 7am to "don't worry be happy" left our senior albergue owner (trying to do our breakfast dishes) somewhat confused, bewildered and with a little smile...I'm sure it can get cold and lonely in those hills sometimes. You can't stop us kiwis from having fun.
Dinner with our tribe of friends in the square of Triacastella fed an energy of excitement, anticipation for individual achievement and acknowledgement of sorrow as the journey is closing in. Lucy and I therefore ate as much as we could stuff into our little sausage bodies to celebrate, including fresh cheese (like feta) with local honey drizzled on top. Yum!
We arrived in Sarria this morning which is about 110ks out from Santiago de compostela, and also where there is an influx of pilgrims.
This is mainly due to the fact that starting here will cover the requisite 100kms to pick up a compostela at Santiago.
A few touch points to raise on Spain that Lucy and I have observed.
First on the bathrooms.
1) grape hubba bubba is the only air freshener fragrance available. It's brilliant. All the "servicios" smell like this. Nice one.
2) there are only two types of toilets in Spain. One- so small your knees are at your nose, the other so wide you can reach neither the toilet paper or the light. You may wonder why does the light matter? Keep reading.
In regards to Spain's economic issues we have identified two clear areas we believe contributed.
1) Spain invested far too heavily in replica English street lamps, they are everywhere from small villages to large towns. It's like Jack the Ripper is behind every corner. Not romantic at all nor practical.
2) sensor/timed lights. Whilst in agreement that this invention is a great power saver, it's also a fucking nightmare to continually be caught with your pants down in the dark on the loo. 90% of Spain's lights are on timer or sensor and I'm yet to find one programmed correctly.
My leg is so much better, Lucy and I saw a physio on our day off for final checks.
I almost wet my big girl knickers from laughter when Lucy came out, both knees taped, both feet bandaged trying desperately to master walking in jandels a task she hasn't yet accomplished. It looked like she was trying to escape from being committed to a special ward. Between the both of us we collected a fair few stares...even from pilgrims! In her defence she balanced this all out with Prada sunglasses, red lipstick and still a slight air of style, as only Lucy could.
Oh and this time Lucy got asked on the date....
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