Day 32 – 07.07.2023 – Portomarín

Buen Camino – 20 km – Portomarín

You have legs and are walking. Then you stop. You still have legs, but where has the walking gone? In meditation you still have the mind, but it is silent – that is No-Mind!

This morning I woke up at 06:50, late as never before on the Camino. Everyone except Andrew was still in bed. So by and by everyone got up and started packing, the two teenagers still in bed. When I opened the door I just saw Andrew leaving, he must have had a coffee in the Albergue. A big group of people were passing by, coming from Sarria already this morning. Holly was just leaving, saying I will catch her up later, she is slow. When I went to the café there were already many people in queue. I decided to have my coffee later somewhere.

So I started walking by myself, catched up Holly after a while. Next town we went for a coffee, Andrew was there, also my Camino friends from Taiwan, Li En and Kitty. I had a coffee and a Napolitana, is like a croissant with chocolate. Everybody was in an easy mood. So let’s make shapes 🦶🏽🦶🏽

Another beautiful place to enjoy a coffee or something, I had a Tortilla as well. We met Paul and Joann from last night, an Australien couple.

Somehow an easy way to walk, very lite, although I never had so many pilgrims around the Camino. I was never alone today.

Last night I entered my data on the official website from Santiago. It makes it easy to receive the certificate in Santiago. I got a barcode per email. Of course they have already software to print the certificate for the pilgrims.

I got some anti inflammatory cream from the pharmacy, hope it helps to reduce the swelling. Arriving in Casa Ribeira Sacra. Andrew booked this place beforehand. We are sharing a room again. Guess I am spoiling my pilgrims life a bit 😄

After having a refreshing shower Andrew went to town for some lunch. I am just resting and writing this Blog. Later we will meet at the church, going to a supermarket and having some dinner.

The woman from the Albergue suggested to get a transport for my luggage for tomorrow. It could relax the sprain on my ankle. But I refused. She said all the pilgrims who had done it until here refused to get a transport. It would feel like giving up after 700 km.

Just back from dinner, missed the mass at 20:00. We were 12 Camino friends for dinner, was quite fun, took long time to get the food.

Holly was telling a funny story about her Camino. She was in Logroño and had never heard about the Camino before. Then she followed the yellow arrows, which are along all the way to Santiago. And slowly she came to know what she is doing here. That’s really the right spirit. She did it all the way and further.

I tried to book two beds in Palas de Rei where I will end tomorrow. The one I have chosen was full. There are others but I think I will go in an Albergue from Municipal. There are two with 172 beds in total, hopefully something available. If not there are some more private Albergues in town.