Day 30 - Tricastanela to Sarria - 11.88 miles

Lotta moos and lotta poos! The entire walk was through the milking cow part of the region, and it was smelly! I did tell them "Keep up the good work girls! I am enjoying the cafes con leche and the queso!" as I walked by. 😂

Buen Cowmino!!!😂

Giant shell at the water fountain

Wow - October 1st is here!!!! We were just saying last night that it really feels like fall now. The weather in the evenings is cool, you can smell the fires burning and see the leaves are falling. I embrace fall once I finally surrender to summer's end.

This morning I left at 6:30 am, but there were only a few people going that early since it was a very short walk today. I think the Camino trail is being upgraded from Tricastanela and so there were a lot of construction vehicles and muddy overworked ground to get through up the mountain. There were two routes again - one longer one parallel to the highway or the trail I took up the mountain. It promised scenic vistas and rustic paths. I walked by all the cow farms and even a milk truck picking up a load early this morning. I stopped for a quick coffee and then arrived in Sarria at 9:50am! I couldn't check in until 2pm, so I left my bag and went exploring. I visited the outdoor store in town, found a grocery store, and had a pedicure (all by noon!). The other thing I noticed was the huge number of buses dropping off large groups of high school-age kids to do this last stage of the Camino. Yes, it has gotten significantly busier here with new pilgrims.

We all have the John Brierley book on traveling the Camino. He gives you a pre-walk and post-walk reflection. Today we were supposed to think about our hearts as we walked into all the new pilgrims and to try not to meet them with an air of superiority (like they are doing the "fake" short Camino and are interlopers on our "true" journey). That was truly something to think about, and I'm sure it happens quite often. Part of this pilgrimage is physical, part is mental, and part is spiritual (for me as well as many others). I have met many people this month who've had very difficult things to work through - divorce, the death of a spouse, etc. Some days the long walks and time reflecting does help bring clarity to things or at least help you understand yourself better.

J, K and I goofing off in Sarria

Once I make it over the quiet of Sunday tomorrow, I will have only four days until I see Robert!! I have decided to skip the last night in the town before Santiago and walk 25 miles to arrive one day early! This is going to feel like the longest week as I look forward to seeing him again! I really didn't allow myself to think about it until just the last few days, but now I miss him terribly and can't wait to be reunited in Santiago!

I am going to meet my friends, K and J, and walk with them to the next town tomorrow (even though it was supposed to be my rest day). I don't want to stay in Sarria by myself on a Sunday as everyone moves ahead. Depending on the hotel situation, I may see if my hotel for the next night can take me one night earlier, or I will just taxi back to my room in Sarria for the night. Daily walking has kind of become a routine none of us can break now.