Conquering Another Day

Let's start with food! A well fed pilgrim is a happy one. The photo above is the starting course of a delicious dinner last night. The salad was fresh and included sunflower seeds and golden la pasa (raisins, a word I know). There was a homemade mustard dressing on the salad and decorating the plate. The wine bottle was tied with a red napkin that looked like a bow tie.  The next course was pumpkin soup. The main dish was vegetable paella and the dessert was a crepe.

The dinner above was served at our albergue and cost 10€. Some albergues offer dinner that they cook for pilgrims, if you sign up for it when you check in. You never know what to expect. Last night I fell on my bed laughing when I realized the man who was preparing dinner was the same guy who gave Mona a foot massage! But the meal was great and the communal spirit was awesome. Some albergues serve a meal that pilgrims are asked to help prepare and the cost is a donation. Most albergues don't offer meals so you look around town for a place to eat or buy some food and cook your own. We haven't done that yet!

We think we are eating huge amounts of food but I guess we are burning enough calories to handle it. We have all lost weight and I will send a picture of my pants tightened with safety pins some day!

We walked well today. 17 km and done by 2:00! We even passed two guys on bikes. We told them that was a first for us! We also said they could follow us if they didn't know the way. We were pleased we did so well because Mona's feet are better, but not great, and I have a sore throat and cold. What we did differently today was pay to have two of our bags transported. There is a service that will pick up your bag and drive it to your next stop. We have seen tons of people walking with only little day packs and at times at least one of us has been a tad judgemental about that. HOWEVER!! If you are exhausted and hurting it's a great thing.

 Packs tagged for transport

Yesterday: A Camino cat walking on a wall  came down to get some attention. 

Today: Three puppies that were rescued by pilgrims. We didn't get the story but they carried them all afternoon and planned to bring them to a vet.

We are staying at this albergue tonight. I love the painting on the side of the building! 

The open front door leading into a courtyard where we will eat dinner. And let me just add that it is freezing inside and out. We wore our warmest jackets all day and we aren't too excited about eating out in the cold, but it will be another Camino experience! 

Mona is in the pretty courtyard showing her passport and Pilgrim credential to check in. Our beds tonight are bottom bunks and 9 € each.

 The decor in the courtyard was just my style!

 The balcony overlooking the courtyard

 Albergues have racks or shelves for boots and you can see the poles in the corner

This is the table set for dinner, looking down from the balcony. What a feast! First course was soup, homemade of course. Then there were three green salads, one had some rice and tuna, one had hard boiled eggs and cauliflower and fresh parsley (all of the greens were delivered this afternoon-fresh) and one salad had baby spinach leaves and onions. The main course was a creamy mashed potato concoction with spinach and topped with sausage. Dessert was a bowl of vanilla ice cream with crunchy chocolate coating. Very yummy! Dinner cost-donativo. And the best part was that we didn't feel cold at all and the company was so great!

That's it for tonight from Vallares de Orbigo.