Praise and glory be; the WIFI on this bus actually is working for me! (Spoiler alert. I only thought it was working. Just got a notice of an international data charge.)
I am on my way to Ponferrada. I will stay in a hotel there tonight (I have a bathtub addiction) then go to Pieros and El Serbal y La Luna tomorrow afternoon.
I’m planning on shopping for some warm clothes while there, but I have no idea where they are going to go. My backpack is full, and I even left some clothes at Stef’s place. Snuck ‘em in to the stacks of summer clothes other pilgrims left. (Shouldn’t have asked me to organize the clothes there, Stef.) I feel a little less guilt because my black turtleneck WASN’T there; another pilgrim took it. Hopefully they will take some of these too.
I did remember to get my fan this time, but goodness, that thing is not as big as a pair of shorts and three shirts, even if they are camisoles. I will try and shop (and pack) judiciously or I’m going to be lugging three bags instead of two.
I chose to walk from the bus station to the hotel. 20 minutes. Big mistake. I did not pack like a pilgrim who has to carry their backpack.
At the top of the stairs I met a very sweet lady who helped carry my bag to the hotel.
At first she thought I was a pilgrim. Completely understandable. Then I think she wanted me to stay at her place. I’m not sure; she only spoke Spanish. Once we found my hotel (We walked right past it; yes, I managed to get lost even accompanied by a local) I offered to buy her a coffee, but instead of following me to the restaurant she wandered off. At least my Spanish was good enough to communicate in a limited way.
Now I’m taking a brief rest before going shopping, but I can’t take too long. The stores close at 8:30 or 9.
Travels and Adventures with Jane 