JUST DO IT!!!

Spain just had a federal election, now it appears there are local elections occurring.

6pm Sunday and so far only 5 out of 10 beds filled in this dormitory room. There is a 2nd dorm with 14 beds.

Monday Morning

Xunqueira de Ambia

7:30am departure

We didn't get far before we saw a cafe that offered fresh squeezed oj

and a "neapolitano" for Danielle.

A village on the hillside

Gardens everywhere with many types of fruit trees.

We passed through several small villages and rural areas.

We are now entering the large city of Ourense. We walked many kms through industrial areas. Back to reality.

This is a poignant example of why we need to get back to nature as often as possible. This industrial area was soul sucking to walk through, I cannot imagine working here every day.

We mostly walked on asphalt today, it was hot but thankfully there were cafe bars along the way where we stopped for refreshments.

The lovely village of Seixalbo.

There were many opportunities to stop and smell the roses. In this case; watch out for the barbed wire.

An example in the background of the type of architecture that is common in this area.

We had some lunch while we waited for the private albergue to open. Martina and I both chose a scrambled egg with prawns and peppers. Yummm, delicious!

We are staying at Grelo Hostal, only 15€ for a dorm bed, including "breakfast". Spacious and bright rooms in a convenient location. Towels are provided on request, shampoo and soap is also provided. We are living the dream! We will be staying here for two nights.

Martina and I headed for the historic are of Ourense. On the way we stopped at a Farmacia for footcare products. Martina is not at all shy about speaking Spanish. She wears a tshirt that says "Just Do It" ... and she does just that.

At first we wondered why people had recommended spending time here. There was graffiti everywhere, it was a sad and ugly place.

However we were soon won over as we entered the nicer areas. There were lots of people happily going about their business. The atmosphere was lively and pleasant.

Danielle joined us, we went for a tour of the Romanesque Cathedral.

The ostentatious bit.

I liked the geraniums

We were staying at a private albergue but the pilgrims who had planned on staying at the municipal albergue had a difficult time. The original albergue was closed, the new one was several blocks away but there was no notice posted at the old location about where to go or even that there was a replacement albergue. We spoke to the hospitalero at the new albergue, he shrugged and explained it was better for him as he wasn't so busy. Well Martina was having none of it. We found a map, then a stationary store for postit notes and tape, then went in search of the old albergue. There we posted our makeshift poster so that tomorrow's pilgrims could find their night's accommodation. See what I mean?! Just Do It!

By this time it was 9:30pm and we were starving. We went back to the great little place where we had eaten lunch and had a bocadillo (sandwich). The heat was finally easing, right now at 11pm it is 26.