Ribadiso to Arca
24km/15miles
First of all we thought we had found a really nice albergue last night. It was clean and quiet and the owner was very nice. We even did a load of laundry for only 3e! But then about 11pm when I was sitting on the couch blogging and everyone else was in the room sleeping, I heard something scuffling around near the trash can. I ignored it of course... until I a few minutes later when I saw a mouse. I decided to go to bed and that would be the end of it. This morning while it was still dark in the room I heard something moving by my bag on the floor about a foot from the head of my bed. That made me angry, "that mouse better not be eating my food in my bag!" I reached down and shook my bag so as to scare it away if there was a mouse. Sure enough, when I got up and ready I discovered it had eaten through my package of figs I just bought! Urgh. Luckily it didn't get my peanuts!
I told the girls I saw a mouse and they couldn't believe it. They said they wouldn't have been able to sleep if they had seen one; so I guess it was good that it was me who saw it. There is very little that can get between me and my sleep! As we were putting on our boots to leave the mouse made one more appearance so Emily and Sara both got to see it. It was a quick exit from the albergue after that!
The last two days we have been seeing these "orrios" around the farms. We found out they are used for drying corn and other vegetables and fruits. Most of the ones we saw weren't in use. We saw one with corn but it was being guarded by a barking dog in the yard so I couldn't get a picture.
Aren't they interesting?
Today Emily and I got to use our matching ponchos! After the soaked-to-the-bone day I decided to buy one. Yes, we look ridiculous, but if it keeps me and my bag dry, I'm using it! Ponchos are actually really common on the camino. Here we are, VAMOS TORTUGAS!
The landscape is similar to the last few days. The rain didn't last too long and in the afternoon the sun was shining for almost a whole hour!
Still walking through farmland. And when we were resting at a cafe the farm was walking through the cafe!
Christina joined Emily, Sarah, and I today. Another welcome addition!
The paths are very very wet.
I don't know what kind if trees these are. We walked through only one area with them. They were huge! See the little man at the bottom?
I don't know what kind if flower/vine this is but it's really neat and I'd like to get one.
This is the church in Arca. A pretty little church. Notice the shell motif.
The priest called the pilgrims up for a special blessing. He blessed us and said some words about the end of the camino. I wish I knew more Spanish. Christina said it was really nice :)
After Mass we decided to have a simple dinner, sandwiches of deli meat and cheese and some fruit and yogurt, and then turn in early. We have a big day ahead if us tomorrow!
It's going to be strange when I'm finished. It's really become routine to get up and walk all day. Walking has become like my job! I'm so ready to be finished but at the same time there's a sadness that it's over. Bittersweet.
I hear a lot of people cry when they arrive in Santiago, which means I probably will, too! It's hard to say what my feelings are right now, much less what they will be tomorrow. We've come so far. I can't believe we've walked almost 500 miles.
I'm learning I have so much to learn, my boots have come in handy in the mud and rain (it's a good thing I didn't throw them off a cliff), and that I like hot tea after all.
I'm thankful I've made it this far, for your prayers for me, for getting to go to Mass today, that I'm 20km from Santiago, and for God's love and mercy.
Santiago here we come!!!