Almost there - Thursday in Pedrouzo

TOMORROW IN SANTIAGO. Can´t believe I am almost there.

Since Sarria I have intersecting with Pat and friend from Ireland and the Channel Islands. On the way to Ribadiso yesterday we stopped at the same cafe in Melide to have a cup of coffee. Pat was down in the dumps and not enjoying the walk and about an hour later I discovered why. I came acrross them at a little stream preparing to cross. It seems Pat had walked the camino before and knew this was coming. It was a teeny weeny little stream - about 2m wide and about 30cm deep. Pat was in distress and was preparing to take of her boots and walk acrross. That doesn`t sound much, but for someone on the camino to have wet feet/shoes/socks is a disaster because that´s how you get blisters. And that is what Pat was ready to risk because she was scared of walking across the bridge. The bridge consisted of stone blocks about 30cm wide and 1/2m long put together forming a little bridge. The blocks were uneven and rounded at the edges, specially on the other side. Pat was terrified of losing her balance and her fears made that little bridge into a tightrope across the grand canyon.

I came up and joined in the discussion of how to get Pat accross. I told her to give me her pack and I would carry it across as it would be a lot easier without the extra weight. Her friend took her water bottle, and Pat ventured across. She inched her way across , but made it and we all clapped. It took all of 3 seconds to walk across with her pack in hand. I gave it to her and she said to me: Thank you Keith, you are such a gentleman.

I am telling this long and detailed story because I was very interested to reflect on what this compliment meant to me.I felt good after that, and the rest of the walking was so easy. I reflected on how important ones attitude  is. That simple little compliment made the physical effort of walking easier. In sports, ones frame of mind can be so important. And in daily life, when I feel good about who I am, then life is beautiful. The trick of course is not to rely on other people to make me feel good, but to make that decision about my emotions myself.

So after my philosophising, a little note to say that lastnight I intended to have a bite to eat and retire, but sat at a table with Huri and Loreto - an Argentinian living in Madrid, and her friend Victoria whose father is a sculptor. And a simple snack turned into sampling Spanish food and the local specialty called Ribeiro - an excellent white wine, and mini pimentos - green peppers for us- grilled in a Galician way etc. We all had to dash back to the albergue ( about 20m away) before the doors were locked. So it was a late start today, and a lesurely walk to Perdrouzo (or Pedrouzo not sure) because Paulo phoned ahead and reserved places in a private albergue. Tonight is the feast of San Juan - linked with the longest day of summer so it looks like fiesta time here. Interesting.

Tomorrow we walk into Santiago - about 20km. WOW.

So from Pedrouzo - Adios.