Michele’s Morning

Michele

I keep talking about Michele. Let me formally introduce her. Michelle lives in Tampa Florida. She is 29 years old (that’s a lie). She and her husband run a pallet business. she has two daughters, one is 20 and the other 24.  Michele has a house on the water. She and her husband have a 34 foot yacht that they enjoy. Michele is outgoing and funny. This morning as we left Leon, We walked through an industrial area. Michele, the pallet princess, got very excited. she told us all about the difference between European and American pallets. she knows way too much about pallets.

This morning Michele was on fire as we navigated out of Leon. She found all the arrows for us. 

We stopped at a town called Virgin de la  Camino, or something like that for Breakfast. It was a 

funky grimy bar. Bad bitter coffee. Day old tortillas that we wouldn’t order.

Viladangos. Shit hole town. Got to our hotel early. after ashort 12 mile walk. I shipped my backpack and only carried a small day pack . My back was fine. 

Our hotel is a cross between a motel six and a truckstop. Nothing open. We sat at a picnic table by some vending machines next to the freeway. It’s cold and windy. Good pilgrim watching though. this morning we’ve watched lots of people take their shoes and socks off and administer to their blisters. Painful.  Lea had some leftover snacks from Leon. We had a sad picnic.

Sad picnic 

Villadangos - our truck stop hotel

We walked back to the hotel to wait for it to open. it was a disorganized mess inside. Dirty. I developed a plan: we would find a place in the next town where all of our friends are staying, cancel this reservation, and take a taxi. We are waiting on the taxi now. I couldn’t believe how disgusting this hotel was. I will sleep on the floor of a church or in a park before staying at this hotel.

Taxi dropped us off at a funky little Albergue, Vieira. Right next to the freeway but delightful. They have a small swimming pool. The hospitalero is a little Spanish woman with purple dye in her hair. 

Amelia

She speaks no English. I can understand everything she tells me. she invited us to join them for the homemade pilgrims dinner. We are in. Michele, Justin and TDFSF (+2 other friends) are also staying in San Martin. I bought a bottle of good Rioja in Leon. I might have to drink that tonight. I should clarify: A good bottle of rioja here costs 7 1/2 euros. even the funky little bunkhouse room seems inviting to me. all you need is a little perspective. I haven’t seen any familiar faces at this Albergue. A very good opportunity to meet more people. The Camino provides.

I slept like crap last night. I have no doubt that I’ll sleep like a baby tonight.

We are less than 300 km from Santiago. Well past halfway. I don’t want this journey to end.

Sean from Limerick Just walked into our Albergue. They had a bed for him. He had been sick for 2 days in Leon. Lea has a huge crush on him. She is delighted. 

Lea and Sean

Then Justin walked in and got a bed. The Camino provides.  I can smell dinner cooking. Life is good.

Albergue life. Sitting around a table with Sean, Lea, Amaya from San Sebastián, Mary and Craig from Sacramento and Michael from somewhere else. Drinking way too much sangria in the afternoon. Getting a little drunk. 

4:00 pm. Siesta time. 

The bunkhouse at the Albergue. Lea always let’s me have the bottom bunk. Are you snorer or snoree?

Finishing this blog. I can’t wait for Amelia’s dinner at 7. Michele is coming over from her Albergue.

Simba the Albergue cat

Love, 

the bear