Snow. That’s what greeted us in Fonfria that morning. Snow…and lot’s of it. Lucky for us the Angela kept bringing the toast, and the coffee was hot and strong. Sal and I shoved off in the snow at 1283 m, and we knew we’d have snow for the next couple of hours until we got out of the hills. Enroute to Triacastela (same place we watched the soccer) we came across Rob Shuter from South Africa. Was had started in Pamplona, and his trek would eventually total over 700 kms. We walked with him into town then stopped at a supermercado for lunch supplies then at a coffee house. Ondres and Oliver took a right out of Triacastela while Sal and I (and eventually Rob we found) took a left. Most folks had a guidebook for the Camino, but Sal and I just had some info off the internet that listed the next town, how many klicks, total kms, altitude, and what that place had as far as berthing. It was rudimentary, but it worked. Unfortunately, it didn’t mention anything about a shortcut to Sarria! Sal and I marched on the road to avoid the mud and cow paddies that were on the Camino. Eventually Rob joined us. Unfortunately the Camino turned right while we stayed on the road. We did, however, see the neat town of Samos and the huge stone monastery there. Someone had stayed there and said it was COLD, but at least it was cool to see. Sal and I ate lunch after buying more supplies, and then we marched at good 20 feet around the corner and had some coffee with Rob. The trek into Sarria took lots out of us as the asphalt (or tarmac as Rob called it) was unforgiving. As we finally overtook Sarria, it began to rain and then hail. Lovely.
We stopped at the municipal albuerge and paid the 3 Euros each while we waited for Rob. Neither Sal or I were too excited about the place, and Rob’s vote caused us to seek other shelter. I recall us blowing past the guy at the front desk as Sal was the last guy out of the door! We ended up at a much cleaner place up the hill by the church, and Sal and I ended up having our own room. Much nicer! Before dinner we rolled up to a bar just down the street and had a few drinks before dinner. The bar owner looked like a cross between Kenny Rogers and Dudley Moore, and he humored us as we sand several songs on Rob’s blueberry. Rob had brought his phone which gave him access to the web while most folks had a phone to use in emergency situations or for texting only. By this time I had been without a phone for almost 3 weeks, and I remember looking at it like a caveman looking at fire. Actually, NOT having my phone has been a wonderful thing as it’s allowed a certain freedom. My phone is a good thing, I just need to have a healthier balance with my availabilty to it. Anyways, we ended up eating at the albuerge with Rob, Oliver, a German couple, and Frenchy.
Day 6 was in the books, and we had done 198 kms.
Tags: camino de santiago, catgear, hiking, Sarria, spain
