#25-Walking the Camino-May 16, 2016

23rd day on the Camino

We have changed our game plan. The goal previously was to walk every step of the way to Santiago. And.....,then came the nasty blisters. I would post some pictures of Dad's tender toes but I think it is illegal to publish pornotoes. 

Now the plan is to finish without as much walking.  In the next week there are four days that are steep and long, and I decided two weeks ago that we wouldn't do those sections. It would be too hard on dad's feet. So today we took a bus to Sarria thus cutting out a weeks worth of walking. Then we'll finish walking to Santiago but we'll only be walking five or six miles a day instead of 12-15+.  It seemed the only reasonable option. We're not really pleased about it. But we're pleased that Dads feet will probably tolerate it. 

Physically the effort to get to Santiago has been made easier.  But, it took some major thinking to figure out how to make it all work. I guess there are life lessons to be learned ---- how to finish a project by changing the method rather abandoning it altogether. 

By the way, I am very thankful for smart phones and for hotels that have good wifi. 

First on the list - buy two tickets to Sarria. Dad got on the Internet to try to figure out how to do it---in Spanish. We can do this!  After all we built greenhouses and operated King's Mums without knowing exactly what we were doing. Trip advisor suggested getting a ticket to Baralla and then take a taxi to Sarria. Hmmmm. Where is Baralla?  Dad tried to pay for it online. Didn't work- wrong numbero, no printo, no worko. Okay - we need to go to the bus station. Miracle of miracles- the bus station is just across the river from McDonalds, and I know where Ronald lives in Leon.  After our usual game of charades with the ticket lady, we left feeling very successful. And went to get a hamburger and that's when we met up with the Allreds again. 

This morning we set out for the station. Had to take last pictures of the chestnut trees in the park 

And another fountain. Someday I know I'll be glad I have all these fountain pictures.

Here's Dad where bus #1 should be. It says #1 on the concrete. Yep, here comes a bus and parks in #1 space

Hmmmm. No one is getting on this bus and it's time to leave. A bus employee with a jacket that said "Ask Me" answered me. Our bus is in parking space number four!  So we rushed on the bus and took our seats.

The drive over the mountains was very scenic. Dad and I kept looking at each other and nodding knowingly, "yes, we're glad we didn't walk this!"

We arrive in Baralla. Bus stops along side the sidewalk. Suddenly we are on the sidewalk with our packs, and the bus is driving away.  Hmmm.  Using my best fourth year high school Spanish, I tell a blady coming out of a store that we want to go to Sarria and we need a taxi. She smiles and points across and down the street and behold, there is, indeed, a taxi. Thirty minutes and thirty-five euros (one euro per kilometer is going rate) later, after driving on narrow curvy roads and practically through farmer's barns, we are dropped off in front of our pension. Success!  We survived again. 

Our room is nice. There is a little balcony, and we can open the door. Feels like we're lounging in a park. We have flies too. 

View off balcony

Lunch!  Two calzones. Filling was tuna. I was starving so ate it anyway

Lounged around all afternoon so Dad could let feet recover more. I went out and bought supplies and a take out dinner - hamburgeses. Patty, cheese, bacon, ham, another ham like slice, sliced hot dog all on a sesame seed bun. Not bad but I fantasized about a Big Mac

And to end the day....yet again a new Camino motif. 

Tomorrow we walk gently again. Think fond thoughts about happy toes.