Entry
46, January 9th,
2012
Expenses,
Day 46
Coffee:
1.35
Chocolate:
1.20
Albergue:
5.00
Provision:
2.60
Total:
10.10
Trip
Total: 1039.84
New
day, new challenges.
I
am still traveling with the three Koreans, although we walk at
different paces. We topped O Cebreiro today, the last tall peak
before Santiago. Could not have hoped for better weather – bright
and clear all day. It was spectacular climbing through the hills –
some real “Sound of Music” shit.
 |
| A view from O Cebreiro |
We
arrived at the albergue in a village named simply "Hospital" (about 7 or 9 km from
Cebreiro) just as the sun was setting. It is a beautiful albergue –
another refurbished old building, put together for the 2010 holy
year. Hot showers, good heating . . . The Master was excited to make
dinner, as it was his turn and we had stopped at a little general store/bar/boarding
house earlier on the ridge. It is a good thing we did, everything is
closed here.
We
investigated the kitchen. Ultra-modern style, electric range, big
cupboards . . that were all empty! The hospitalera pointed to the
sign: “Use of the kitchen (without utensils).” Nothing to cook
in! Kwang Sik: “Is it just for decoration?”
Luckily
the two Columbians (los Columbianos) have a pot and pan set. We
borrowed it from them (what nice guys) . . . the rice is cooking
right now, and the chopped onions, potatos, and carrots will go next,
with some garlic and magic Korean spices that Master pulled from his
endless supply. Mental note: bring spices next time backpacking.
Updates
to follow.
Later
This
swiss army knife was one of my best purchases in Barcelona, right up
there with good boots and a good sleeping bag. So for hiking, make
sure you have:
Boots
that fit.
Warm
bag.
Good
knife.
The
rice is done, but we need the pot for the vegetables now. So, we
have poured the rice onto a sheet of plastic wrap in the center of
the table.
This
is the real Menú
Peregrino! None of that tourist bullshit! Wooooo those Korean
spices smell good . . . though
it might also rip my face off.
Later
I
am on fire! And it is so good! We started with the pot of soup in
the center and the pile of rice nearby. As we devoured the food with slices of
seaweed, the piles got small enough to poor the rice into the pot of
soup, where it soaked up the juices. I can't describe how satisfying
it was. Now we're bolting down some sausages we bought as well, and
we'll finish off my chocolate for dessert.
What
a silly albergue . . . no pots . . .
A
lady took a picture of me today in Vega de Valcarce. We spoke a
little in Spanish – she and her elderly father are tourists here, I
think. She took a picture of he and I together – a real live
pilgrim! How lucky! Hahaha.
She
said I will eat well in Galicia. I hope so.
