Day 12 O Porrino -15 miles Hotel Azul

We finally have a strong WiFi connection in our hotel. Hope to FaceTime in about 1/2 hour with the family- at least 1/3 of it! 

The walk today was tranquil , all on dirt paths through woods and along a river into this industrial town.  This is a mining area where all the granite for the walls and homes comes from.  There was an option to add about 3 miles by avoiding the industrial area and that’s the one we chose. 

Rain began the day and with our goretex apparel and along the path with ferns and woodlands we were reminded of home.  Trees are different - lots of pine and oak competing with the eucalyptus.  

Our new friends of the day are Sherry and Christine from Victoria and the Sunshine Coast. We first met them at Casa Fernanda but didn’t talk much then.  We shared time at our first rest stop this morning.  Very funny common reactions we shared that I am not going to relate here except to mention 2 women walking that we all had the same reactions to.  One was from Florida and attached herself to Sherry and Christine and the other woman, from off the grid on Vancouver Island got her clothing stuck in a washing machine . Enough said!

Lunchtime.  Another ensalada mitts this time with tuna.  And notice all the hombres gathered for a Sunday social time.  Gender roles are quite traditional in these Galician villages. 

Craig’s brilliant clothes drying arrangement.  Speaking of traditional, we still have our roles: I wash the clothes in the shower; Craig wrings them out and hangs them to dry. 

A week in and we are even more in the rhythm of this way of living.  Happy is the word. Content. Peaceful.

Here’s some of the reasons:

Inexpensive

Walking outside all day

Physically strong feeling

Meet people and connect so easily

Experience another culture

Delicious food

Limited input 

Time for reflection 

Time to be alone

Safe

And now it is 11 pm and we have just returned from dinner!!  

Scallops for me and short ribs for Craig and a gratis Spanish Grappa (but smoother, said the waiter).  

Better walk double tomorrow.

Orujo - Traditional Spanish Liqueur. ... Locally produced orujo is indeed a strong liqueur (between 37% and 45% alcohol by volume) that can be consumed by itself or used to make the popular and very traditional Galician drink called queimada.