Day 36 To O ‘Pino

Day 36 October 14 Destination = O’Pino / 47 km to go.
“No hay camino hacia la libertad. La libertad es el camino”.
-M Gandhi (There is no way to freedom. Freedom is the way ).

I’ve spent some time thinking about freedom, choice, and privilege. I like this quote greatly because the fact is God has given us the dignity of this thing called free will - ‘to choose’ - but many worldwide are in geopolitical situations or in literal bondage and this is a difficult proposition when one tries to simply survive and get through the day. Which then led me to start dissecting all of the interference and noise the prevents young people from even remotely doing this thing called contemplation or meditation or reflection. (and the ever present small screen idol in their hands doesn’t exactly help things) The schools can’t teach it and the parents don’t teach or model it - but that’s way too much of an enchilada to bite off for now.

Its wrapping up. Wow. Only 47000 meters to go 😎. Once again I pretty much ran out of gas big time by the time I got to my lodging at 3:40 in the afternoon. The walking today I was once again just plain beautiful.

Passed Sylvia at a fountain along the trail and she had a gift for me - she said she made (Camino color) wrist bracelets for the four of us for buying her lunch the other day! I had two carrots with me I shared one with her. She had stated that her campsites have been really good but of course the weather has been cooperating with high dew points and her ability to find grass for her tent under trees for the last week or two

A lot of primitivo things still around - some still in use. ‘Implementos agrícolas primitivos‘

Once again the early morning wabana light at dawn is indescribable. What a joy to start a long day of walking with such a sight

Apples must be a pretty tough sell at the local Supermercado as just about everyone has at least one apple tree in their backyard if not a small orchard

‘It’s all downhill from here to Santiago‘ is simply a figure of speech as the whole day, like yesterday, was up over hills, then down into a valley and back up again. All good.

Walking through Arzua. The facial expressions never come through in these photographs -when you see them four stories high and look at the faces -they’re pretty un-flipping believably beautiful

Six foot tall and what is it? The other item growing in everybody’s garden is this! At first I couldn’t figure it out I wondered if it was a mutant variety of broccoli or brussels sprouts. It’s kale!
And it can be harvested all summer all the way until the end of the fall season. So last week I discovered Galician soup which has kale in it and fell in love with it and can’t wait to make it at home (recipe below) outstanding! Highly likely good for you

Galatians Soup

1 1/2 cups of white beans, cooked.  
2–4 slices of bacon chopped
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup shredded carrots
1 cup chopped celery
2–3 large cloves of garlic, peeled and chopped,
1 1/2 Tablespoons fresh
Smoked paprika to taste,
2 Tablespoons sherry, vermouth, or dry white wine
4 cups chicken or bone broth,
3 cups chopped, destemmed kale

(preparation is not exactly rocket science)

1/3 cup grated Parmesan (top dressing when served)

Not a mirage - a sight for sorry eyes. I was fading quickly and dissolving into the trail at 3:30 when I finally got to my lodging. A wonderful brand new inn. The innkeeper said they just finished the building, terraces, etc. and then Covid hit three months later! She has five rooms here and everything is as modern and wonderful as can be. My room has the best bed I’ve slept in a month! Nope not 12€. But a very good value at 50€

This is a handy little graphic to end my day with - everything labeled here hurts with the exception of the phalanges 😵‍

Some fabulous rose varieties in Spain the likes of which we don’t have anything back home to match