Day 12: Uno Mas
I started out a little later today. I enjoyed my breakfast, made my contraband sandwich and had 3 cafe con leche before I left (relax, they’re small). My energy was pretty low, a product of me not eating enough the last few days if I had to guess.
This is what Santa would look like if he was all gacked up on 3 cafe con leches
It didn’t take long for me to exit town and catch up to the crowds. It was really busy today and I suspect it will be the same tomorrow.
Camino traffic jam
The trail eventually left the populated areas and headed off into a forest. It was a nice change from the tarmac that I’d been on for the last couple of days.
Despite my highly caffeinated start to the day I kind of bonked about 5 miles into the walk so I sat down next to Martin (I assume that’s the cats name) and had my sandwich. I may or may not have given Martin some of my cheese.
Martin catching some rays before I disturbed him
As I tried to work up the energy to continue a Brazilian woman I met on day 6 stopped to say hello. She saw me struggling and offered up some Haribo bears. I’m not sure what’s in those little bastards (I’m guessing a metric f ton of sugar) but a few of them and I was right as rain. Which was appropriate because then it started to rain. We trudged through the downpour (this was legitimate rain for a while, not the drizzle we’ve been getting off and on) and eventually into a really crowded outdoor market. The rain stopped and we found a CHURRO TRUCK! He was making and frying the churros right there. I don’t believe I’ve ever had fresh churros before. I have been denied this culinary miracle for 55 long years but no more! I need to convince Michele we need a churro maker! I’m not sure exactly what that is but it starts with a big, black bakery truck. I’m sure there’s some dough twisty and fry stuff in there too. After 4 churros (he gave me a free one because he might have noticed me crying a little when I tried the sample) AND the Hairbo slammers I was pretty much ready to run the rest of the route today.
This is in town just before we stumbled upon the market. Why no churro pictures you ask? Because some things are too pure to be photographed. They exist only in the now or in sugar soaked memories of better days. Also, I forgot
We got to our final town and Hanna and I stopped for a sit down lunch. We were kind of early and we just chatted for almost two hours. I learned a lot about Brazil and Brazilian politics and the conversation was easy and interesting. It matched the vibe of the day which was kind of slow and relaxed. I then had about 3K more to get to my lodging. It was quiet on the path and I took it easy as I realized this was my last chance to do that this camino. Tomorrow will be crowded and I will start early to push to Santiago and get through the compostela office before it gets too crazy.
I’ve walked 168 miles at this point. Only 16 left to go. One final push. I bought some Haribo bears in town so I think I can make it.
