At 7:00 am it was pouring rain and looked like the entire day would be a washout. A taxi picked us up and drove us back to town where we began our 8-9 mile walk to Melide. Luckily it only drizzled on and off for the less than four hours it took. We found our hotel, right smack in the middle of town, with no trouble.

Many probably already know Christians have been walking the Camino de Santiago for more than a thousand years as a pilgrimage, and those walking are still referred to as pilgrims. But, there are many reasons people walk. It's sorta become a trendy thing to do and one must only walk the final 100 kilometers to receive a certificate in Santiago. In order to verify you've walked the required distance you must have your credentials stamped at a minimum of two locations along the way each day.

Our hosts last evening told us their last group of guests were from China and were driving thru the towns of the Camino and stopping to have their credentials stamped so they can receive a certificate. You've gotta wonder the point of it.

The atmosphere along this section of the Camino is much different than earlier. There are now tour groups, people are clean and women wearing makeup, and it's very commercial. It is definitely not the section I would recommend to someone unable to walk the entire distance. Also, there are many different routes. This route is the most popular and best supported with facilities along the way. July and August are the busiest months and sometimes there aren't enough beds for travelers. The threat of rain is greatest in April and May but it's nice to avoid the crowds.

Jim is a great travel companion. He is a planner, though he might argue otherwise. He booked the rooms for the last part of this trip and I have to admit it's a definite step up from where I'd been staying, but I really don't mind! Ha.