Day thirty seven El Camino

Last night we made a decision. That was about the most momentous task in which we have engaged these many weeks, since our days are devoted to walking and eating and thinking about where to eat next or where to go to buy food. What we decided was that we would walk further than our designated destination (Rua), take a taxi back to Rua, taxi back to the further point Monday morning, and have a super short walk to Santiago, the more time to spend there, since, inter alia, there is not much to do elsewhere.

To accomplish this, we had to leave early, usually not a problem, but our hotel host did not serve el desayuno until 8:00 a.m., which did not fit nicely with our plan. However, he provided us a voucher, allowing us to take our morning tostadas down the street at a panadaría, a las siete. Muy bien.

Off we started on a pleasant, cloudy morning, and then, several miles into our walk, Ian noted that he had not seen a single taxi. Hmmm...on the stretch from León, taxis have been sighted con frequencia. Aha! It is domingo, Sunday; we may not be able to get a taxi to ferry us back to Rua from some point beyond. We must improvise.

We arrive at our hotel before noon, Ian and Tan have a coffee outside, and I am left to sort things out. Who should happen to be at our digs at the same time we are? A luggage delivery guy who is drinking a beer. He realizes our plight---with some help from the guy behind the bar--and agrees to transport us to San Payo, from whence we will walk back. That arrangement never sees daylight because the driver has room for only two in his vehicle, and after his who-knows-how-many-beers, this was not too disappointing. It took many phone attempts, but at last the barkeep-Jack-of-all-to-do, contacts a taxi driver who is willing to drive on a Sunday (for an extra fee).

Off we go and back we walk. The cost of our extra five or so miles was five euros a piece.

While walking, we see this note on a wall:




Shortly before arriving, we hit some rain, but it was nothing compared to the downpour we missed just after arriving!

Rain gear drying:




Hoping we won't need it tomorrow for our grand entrance into Santiago!

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Location:Arzua to San Payo