We had a harrowing morning as we attempted to wash our laundry. Laundry mats are far and few between and hotels require 24 hours to send it out. We found a pension just a few blocks from our hotel that had a coin operated washer and dryer (2 of each actually). After we checked into our hotel yesterday we carted a large suitcase full of dirty clothes up the hill and multiple sets of stairs only to discover it was closing and would reopen at 9:00 am. We were wai...

Anyone who thinks Jim is not resourceful (and self-sufficient) doesn't know him very well. While in Madrid he discovered coffee was not available when he awakes in the wee hours of the morning. So, he went to the appliance store and purchased a coffee maker, bought cups, a spoon and enough ground coffee beans to last the entire trip. Every evening he sets up the pot and turns it on in the morning. He packs it all back in his suitcase for the next stop. Too bad I...

Well I didn't mean that I don't miss my family. I just don't feel homesick. Sorry. The walk today was not too difficult and we finished by 1:30 after stopping for both breakfast and lunch! My feet are really sore. No blisters but they are sore. Tomorrow we will arrive at Santiago between 1:00-2:00. A special mass for the pilgrims occurs at noon each day but that would require us to get up very early.

So, as we approached Aruza today JO says "if our bags hadn't been delivered here already, I'd say lets keep on going!" And, this morning he was up and ready to walk bright and early!! I think by the 3rd or 4th day you really do get into the groove of it. Usually when I travel I am ready to be home well before my return date. I long for my life, home, family... Not so this time. I would be content to just keep walking. What a luxury to have this time. The d...

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 ar...