wearysoles-blog

[wearysoles-blog]

Mr Smooches

Dear Ether

I did it. 10kms. Started out with gusto and about 2ks from the hostel I discovered I'd left my glasses behind. Pollyanna was a parsons daughter who was able to be glad when she got crutches for Christmas - because she didn't need them - so it wasn't too much of a stretch for me to feel elated on how the day unfolded.

Remembering what my dear partner said - 'Be kind to yourself I hailed a cab to return me to hostel. Whilst there discovered my 42nd effort to get a SIM card still hadn't worked so dear taxi took me to vodafone and waited with me for half an hour. When we returned to my drop off point he refused my tip. . . And best of all deposited two round, rosy smackers on my sweaty cheeks. Elation. I arrived at Airporto Hostel - off piste and unlost.

Day 2. My Bed of Roses.

Hi there dear Ether. I didn't want to talk to you today but this pilgrimage is about discipline.

Easy day for day 2 - only about 6kms and one mistake of about a km- but I might be getting the hang of the google maps app. Maybe. It was suburban walking. Long threads of walls with neat terrace like concrete houses sitting behind them. The thought for the day was how important is our home. All that love manicuring the hedges. We all should be able to have one.  

Anyway arrived at Residential Santa Marinha which was a rather lacklustre building and the thorns on my rose bed was that I had the front room on a busy road. There was a cupboard with carved hearts and I thought of people I care about who I don't contact. Some people are wonderful at keeping up with everyone. Must make an effort.

Day 3. The Monastary.

The day was a glorious blue and the route finally begins to feel villagy. Scraggly Eucalypt plantations and corn crops aplenty. Best of all are the love ly yellow arrows. When ever you feel afraid just look for a yellow arrow.  

Today I saw pilgrims as they pounded past. Some said Buen camino- some didn't. And then I arrived at my domicile. The Mosterio de Vairo. I wanted to weep when I saw the dormitories. Inside the room was fine thankfully - cheery blankets and blue plastic mattresses. It was just the corridor so reminded my of the boarding school of my childhood.

I met Rosie a psychotherapist from England and we had such a lovely exchange. She invited me out to dinner but I'm sticking to one meal a day at the moment- no deviation. I'm at peace with the world so nitey night

[wearysoles-blog]

Disasters ahoy

Dear Ether

Today was supposed to be the great day of beginning. Setting out from Porto to walk approximately 10ks - didn't want to set the bar too high. I eventually staggered down the stairs - terrified. The back pack is too heavy. `I can't understand the directions - can't follow maps and worst of all can't work the fancy poles that are supposed to help me. Not to mention the phone that won't work.

I decide to ask help from Diego the kindly patient hotel person. He ushers me into the office.

To cut a long story shorter. It turns out I had booked the room at the next hostel for the wrong night. I got to stay here another night and sort a new phone card- practise map reading AND how to work the poles. I've seen the route on Diegos computer Google maps. It actually straight ahead so I think I will make it. How wonderful can fate be sometimes

Take 2 tomorrow. Starting from Hostel.Alvarez Cabral where they have looked after me. The Caminho passes the bottom of the street. It means I miss 2.5 km of steep climb from the cathedral of Porto- I did it yesterday without pack.