Another day of beautiful countryside after the fog lifted, that is. Having gone to bed at 9pm, I was up way before the rooster. I kid you not.. It was right outside my bedroom window. I was already up and dressed when he started cockle-doodle -doing.
For the first two hours the fog was very dense. Good thing I had come this way with the taxi the day before. Otherwise, at a certain point, I would have probably taken the wrong road.
Robert Frost wrote about the road less traveled...and making all the difference. Not today. Not on the camino. I want the road well traveled. There are lots of yellow arrows along the way pointing in the correct direction. Then, there are mile markers with the omnipresent shell. All indicating you are in fact on the way to Santiago.
When I have some doubt, I look carefully for signs or in the distance for other pilgrims. If need be, I would just stand at the fork and wait til others arrive. So far, just a few times the arrows or mile markers have failed me. In those instances, I looked at the path and forwent my natural inclination of taking the one less traveled.
I walked a lot of today's route with Renate, a tiny German woman. I swear her backpack weighed more than she did. I was very impressed with her. She has been on the camino for a month now and had such an incredible energy. Thanks to her, I did the 20km to Melide in less time than I had imagined I would. I enjoyed her company and not wanting to slow her down, I walked a bit faster uphill than the previous day. She was a good influence. I even stopped at one of the cafes for a rest.
Every so often, you'll find a bar/cafe with a handful of walkers and cyclists sitting at the outdoor tables. It looks very inviting but my fear was not sitting down.. but being able to get up and continue walking afterwards.
The whole time today I was wondering if the photos would turn out. So, each time I used my digital camera, I then had to dig into my other pant pocket and pull out my disposal camera. It got to be tiring so, I snapped fewer and fewer. Renate offered to send me her photos. So, that was a third back up. Thankfully, the camera d-loaded properly just a few minutes ago. Nonetheless, I will still use my €5 disposal again tomorrow.
