Today’s plan was activated – Susie checked her main pack ahead to the next point but walked with me. She still wasn’t feeling great this morning so we wanted to hit a cafe for breakfast then find a pharmacy for advice once they opened.
I was glad we really enjoyed walking along the coast with the light of the full moon yesterday as this morning was foggy and we couldn’t see it. We knew it was out there somewhere but not within view to us.
We still left about 7 AM and searched for a local cafe. We hit the jackpot. We found one that opened at 7:30 and as soon as the lights were on, it was flooded with locals. City workers and retirees out for their First Coffee. We found out why. The service was friendly, prices reasonable, pastries were fresh, and the coffee was excellent.
We regrouped, mapped our course (staying close to the water and avoiding major hills), and headed out.
I found the walk delightful. Difficult in parts, sure, but still delightful.
I often think of how fortunate we are. We’re alive, healthy enough to walk, can take time off work (or are retired), have the resources to travel, and we get to walk in Europe on a pilgrimage folks have been doing since the late 800s. Our food is excellent. Accommodations comfortable. And the water we drink is clean and plentiful. So much of our world is in upheaval and entire countries of people would give anything to be in our shoes, minor blisters and all.
Along the way we met again the two young ladies from North Carolina. Margaret and Alex. We chatted with them for quite a ways and also found out we’re all staying in the same place this evening. We parted ways with them once we reached Vigo – just outside a gorgeous parador. Hoping to see them again along the path.
After a rest we made our way in a beeline toward our hotel, stopping for coffee and at a pharmacy for advice. I’m grateful Sue has directions on her app as I never would have found this place in the confusing streets of Vigo. Much of our beeline took us up steep hills.
And when we reached the top, I felt as victorious as the horses depicted in the statue on the roundabout at the peak with about seven exits (crossing each street was arduous).
We finally made it and started our post-walk tasks. This time that meant shower, eat late lunch/ early dinner (because siesta shuts everything down for four hours), do laundry, then siesta. Lunch was fabulous and filling. We’re gravitating towards egg dishes and salads. Laundry at the public automated laundromat was challenging. The machine instructions were only in Spanish and the machine wouldn’t take most of our coins, even though they should have worked. In the end, success.
After siesta I awoke with a scratchy throat and a minor cough. I immediately went to the local pharmacy for zinc tablets, which is what my sister’s nephew (a doctor) recommended. I’m already taking vitamin C. 🤞 Hoping I can nip this in the bud.
Susie and I worked on our future schedule plans and booked a boat a few days ahead that will follow the path that St James’ body took when he was transported back from Jerusalem to his beloved Spain. His head, by the way, is still in Jerusalem (as he was beheaded for being a follower of Jesus). His heart…and body… belongs to Spain. ❤️
As is customary, I wanted to give an end of the first week recap. This is according to my phone, so it might be off in either direction:
Floors climbed: 43
Steps taken: 288,081
Miles walked: 119.7
Dollars raised for charity:water: $2,525 💧
People who will now have clean water and whose lives are changed forever: 63 💕
More later…
Please consider supporting our campaign if you are able. Thank you so much to those who already have. God bless.
https://www.charitywater.org/marilyn-peterson/marilyn-s-camino-for-water-2025
I see you on a map. Hope you both replenish during this overnight stay. Good numbers. They will all go up!