Oy Veh! The note

Michele’s favorite - octopus!

I had an excellent walk today. I started out with Michael Snow. Then I ran into Susanne from Denmark and walked the rest of the day with her. Susanne is a social worker from Copenhagen. Her name is pronounced like Susan, but I’ll call her Suzanne, ala the Leonard Cohen song. 

We walked 15 miles today. The path was crowded. Many many new Pilgrims. None of us like it. it is not as peaceful. most of us are ready to be in Santiago. Only about three more days. 

Back to yesterday, Lea rolled into our hostel about 8:30 PM, with John, one of the young Bohemians. he booked a room at our Albergue/hostel. We all had a wonderful dinner of octopus, roast lamb and salad. 

Lea showed me the note. As expected, it was a love note. However, it was inappropriate, abusive and lewd.

Lea and John left early this morning. They planned to walk 40 km. Mike and I had breakfast and left at 8 AM.

Halfway through the walk, I caught up with Lea. she was with Michele. The two of them walked together for a while, to discuss the Justin situation, among other things.

At the end of the walk, as we approached Palas De Rey, Susanne and I came upon Lea and Michele. they were looking for Don and Chuck, who were having lunch. we decided to join them. Lea would not go to the restaurant, because she thought Justin would be there. He was, she moved on. It is despicable that he made Lea feel uncomfortable.

We had a lunch of sangria, octopus, Padron peppers, salad and patatas with aioli. I felt uncomfortable with Justin at the next table.

The food was so good we decided to go back for dinner at 7 PM. Don invited Justin. Afterword I sent Don a message that I didn’t want to eat with Justin. Michele shared the content of the note with Don and Chuck. We will all deal with Justin and likely inform his mother. He will not be at dinner.

I was right, several weeks ago when I told Jayne that Justin was too immature to be on his own. I take back everything I said since then about how well he seemed to be doing. The note was inexcusable.

After lunch, I wandered down the street to my Albergue. A massive place. I’m in punk 54. luckily, a lower bunk. Fran, the old hippie from Cleveland is in the next bunk. Comforting to find an old friend. I invited him to join us for dinner.

I think this is my last bunkhouse. I looked at my itinerary. The last couple of places look like private rooms. 

I’m feeling a little weary. despite that my current shirt doesn’t pass the smell test, I’m not gonna do any laundry. Yesterday‘s shirt doesn’t smell so good either. I just don’t give a shit. Maybe I’ll do laundry tomorrow. Maybe I’ll just be stinky. I’m laying in my bunk. I haven’t even opened my backpack. I want to be in Santiago, NOW!

I just showered. I put on my cleanest dirty shirt.

Love,

B