After a late breakfast at 8, we were off by 8:30 and once again the sun was shining. No jackets or rain gear were needed today! We cannot believe the great weather we are having, especially since the province of Galicia - heavily influenced by the proximity of the Atlantic Ocean - is known for its frequent and sudden rainstorms. And the forecast is for more sunshine.
Today was another really green day, just the kind we like. No significant climbs, just the usual ups and downs you can expect when you're about 500 meters above sea level.
And doesn't Jeff look like a happy camper? Yes, he's having a good time, and we believe the company he's keeping is a large part of that!
One thing we have noticed off and on throughout our walks in villages, towns, and cities is the large number of construction projects that have been begun but had to be abandoned because of a big downturn in Spain's economy. The building below is just one small sample of that.
We also came across many more really fine examples of drying sheds. This one is pretty elaborate, and what we can't quite figure out is that while birds and rodents can't get in, how on earth do humans access these? Do you see any steps? We didn't!
Although some of our walk today was fairly close to roads, and at times even alongside, much of the camino's green spaces and trails are carefully preserved so that you may be walking within shouting distance of a highway but you'd never know it. We just love pathways like these...
We also came across our first forest of eucalyptus trees, which become more common the closer we get to Santiago...
I think I might have mentioned earlier that every hamlet and village has its own church, and almost every church has its own churchyard, that is, cemetery. I've always thought it was kind of a nice idea, to worship on Sundays with saints present and past, all of us alive in Christ...
In one of the village churches we visited, in Furelo, we found an unusual statue of Jesus. Such statues of Jesus, some of them very elaborate, are found everywhere in Spanish Catholic Churches, of course. But this one is unique (Diane read about it in William Schmidt's aptly named book Walking on Stones) because it pictures Jesus as having only one hand nailed to a cross, while the other is reaching out below. What could it mean? Is he reaching out for help, or comforting those below - especially his mother and the other women there - or is it meant to portray his invitation to find our salvation in him, or his invitation to take up our cross, deny ourselves, and follow him? Or something else entirely? What do you think?
We don't actually visit many of these churches, but we have seen our fair share. Frankly, the beauty of the natural creation is a much bigger draw for us...
We do find that cafés and bars along the way are busier the closer we get to Santiago. And unfortunately, people are still permitted to smoke here, at least in outside patios, and even in hotel rooms. We have left cafés and switched hotel rooms a number of times for that reason. At each cafe you can find a lineup of backpacks...
Of course, you have to be mindful when you leave any cafe or bar. We met this German guy going the wrong way, and if you look carefully at his retreating figure you can probably guess what's missing...
He passed by us some minutes later where we had stopped for lunch al frescoe, and sheepishly allowed me to take his picture, this time wearing his backpack. We had a good laugh about it!
Our walk today ended with crossing another of the many old Roman bridges in Spain...
...which we celebrated with ice cream bars immediately afterwards, and here Diane is resting - that ice cream tired her out! - in front of a cozy village home in Furelo.
Now we are in a larger hotel in Melide, and there is no dinner served until 8:30. When do people ever have meetings such as we do?? Or is there something to be learned here?
We are told there are a couple of places nearby that serve the specialty Melide is famous for: grilled octopus or squid. Anyone care to join us?
Distance today: 19.5
Total time on road: 5:30
Total distance or date: 742 kms
Walking days remaining: 3
Hello dear Pilgrims - spent some moments looking at and thinking about your question re the crucifix with Jesus stretching one hand down towards the onlooker: to me he seems to say "this cross is yours, too, but I have borne the worst of it for your sake...."
ReplyDeleteWe notice Diane is using one pole instead of both of them - another malfunction, or?
The green pictures are my favourite, too - and so happy that the weather has been so good, most of this long trek!
Just a few more days to go. Will you be sorry when it's over? We wonder how "re-entry" will go for you after such an extended time of simple living, and putting one foot in front of the other, day after day......
Wow! 3 more days! Keeping you in our prayers and looking forward to seeing you at the end of the month to hear more about your trip first hand. Love you!
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