This was a relatively shorter and easier stage with fair skies and beautiful scenery. I coughed most of the way but did my best to see and savor the beauty of the day. I knew it was my last quiet day before the crowds that begin at Sarria.
The streets of Sarria are packed with new eager pilgrims. You can easily distinguish between pilgrims who start in Sarria compared to pilgrims who have already spent weeks on the trail. The newcomers are bright, shiny, and smell better. Their shoes are new and their clothes look fresh. The “old-timers” have that trail worn look of having been there, seen that, while climbing EVERY mountain. We walk with more self- confidence and a wee bit of swagger.
I took more pictures today and wanted to share the raw take so you can have a small taste of my good day.
The morning began with a choice of paths: the longer version and the shorter option. Fewer miles are better now, so I chose the shorter path through San Xil. It did not disappoint. Galicia was showing off today!A quick look back at my albergue in Triacastela. A beautiful stacked stone house in Triacastela. The Camino seldom misses an opportunity to start a day off with hills.Along the Way, there are many small shelters. My guess is that they are for farm workers for shelter from the tricky weather here.A random art gallery, offering lovely watercolors with a faith theme, run by a British guy.A classic Galician view.Ditto. Zoom in.The first half of the day was primarily uphill through shaded forest paths.This bull was watching me intently. I said hey, but I think he only understands Spanish.Along most of the path were dry stack stone walls, made with local stone and without mortar.Succulents taking hold on a wall.Zoom in for an important message. In the early afternoon, we began our descent into the valley with Sarria in the distance. Each larger town has an entrance sign and a tourist highlight map. Behind me, no more than a few yards away, was a goat farm. In the next few hundred feet we saw tall apartment blocks. Like many European towns, there is a hard edge between rural and urban.Just a few steps more to my albergue in the old town center. About 12 Euros gets you a bunk, shower, and kitchen privileges. I call this “Pilgrim Alley.” A street lined with albergues, restaurants, bars, and trinket shops.Before dinner I walked away from the crowd and found this!And this! A modernist home on a side street. When I get to a new town I like to walk off the main tourist roads so I can see where locals live.
Pilgrim Lesson: A key lesson for me during this pilgrimage is learning to be fully present and engaged in my journey, even when my body moans and complains. I walk while I am sick and canchoose to savor theday.
A Modern Pilgrim's Progress 
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