Day 27: We Just Might Do This | Alex Carruthers

Last night, we treated ourselves to one last private accommodation before we (hopefully) arrive to the Promised Land.  The place had a stellar view, but they very much overcharged us for laundry.  But it was worth the beauty sleep before our joy walk of 28 kilometers to Melide, Spain.  Melide is 53 kilometers from Santiago.  53 fat ones.  53.  That seems minuscule compared to the monster 800 we had to do 26 days ago.

Today's walk consisted of going through lots of shaded trails by trees, and walking through several small towns, and walking past several cattle ranches.  Those don't smell great, as the cattle do not quite know how to use toilets.  However, we did get to see a shepherd herding his cattle with his dogs, and that was just a cool sight to see.

At breakfast, we talked to a guy from Austin, Texas, and he said "Oh y'all are those Nashville guys" when we told him we were from Tennessee.  It kind of sounded like people had been talking about us, which is okay if they are good things to be said.  But Nashville?  C'mon Tex.  He obviously is not a subscriber.

We made it to Melide in very good time, and we neglected to call the albergues ahead.  We were a little concerned about this because the last 100 kilometers start getting more crowded with pilgrims as some start in Sarria.  But we had a plan.  Our plan was to go into each albergue on the way and just see if they had beds.  If none of them did, we would eat here and go to the next town.  Fortunately, the first albergue had "dos camas."  And it is not crowded at all.  AND the cafe overlooks Melide with a great outdoor porch.  AND it was only 10 euros.  Quite simply, it is a steal.

When we walked into our albergue, we talked to these Switzerland people, and they asked us where we started our journey, for this is a common small talk question on the Camino.  We kind of puckered up and proudly said "St. Jean, France."  They nodded and said okay cool (not ver batum, but that's essentially what the response was).  Then we asked them where they started (hoping their response would be Sarria), and they told us that they started in Switzerland.  They had been walking for three months.  Talk about one upping us.

We are in awe that we are in such far west Spain.  My Spanish is still close to nonexistent, but we have loved walking together and sharing this experience together.  Go dawgs.  Anchor down.


Picture:  The outskirts of Melide taken on a Roman bridge (left).  Our lunch was octopus - I thought I would share the picture.  I'm glad we immersed ourselves in the culture and tasted it.  I would not get it again (right).

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