The dogs were barking so aggressively that we suspected they had never seen a pilgrim before. That’s how Birte and I knew we were on the wrong trail. Thankfully, it only cost us an extra kilometer.
It was quiet today. We knew it was rush hour when two vehicles passed us within a couple of minutes. The trails were excellent, taking us along comfortable paths through eucalyptus and pine forests, over ancient bridges, and through hamlets with stones fences so old that the forest has taken them back. Many of these little hamlets were identified with unique wooden signs printed in yellow paint. I loved them.
We were so blessed to see a phalanx (yes, I’ve been waiting forever to be able to use that word) of storks. I’ve seen individual storks before, but never more than one at a time. It is said that a village that has nesting storks will have luck that year.
At the albergue in the forest of Carballedo, my friends suffered through cold showers. I opted first to meditate (aka have a nap) for an hour and was rewarded with hot water for my shower. Add some chocolate, a beer, and the charming company of four pilgrim women from Slovakia and Bulgaria, and you know I’m having a perfect day.
