Caminho português - Page 5

Redondela - Pontevedra

After breakfast at the cafe across the street, we set off on the route that was very beautiful today. Only a few villages, such as the small town of Arcade were to cross. For quite a while you could still see through the trees the sea bay Ria de Vigo. The way can be missed actually hardly, everywhere one finds the blue-yellow shell, yellow arrows, piled up stones or other things, which the pilgrims produce on the way so.

About 5 km before our destination we saw a sign at a garden plot drinks, food, but only small appetizers. We looked inside and an older Spaniard greeted us in perfect german. He had worked in Germany and is now retired. He was happy to have another task, he brought us coffee and cake, rubbed Manu's aching foot. He was a funny, absolutely likeable guy. In addition, there were still sugar-sweet day or week-old puppies lying in the sun.

Arrived at the hostel at the train station of Pontevedra, we first relaxed on the large lawn in front of it in the sun before we went into town. I was somehow overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle in the center, I just wanted to eat something, Manu strolled afterwards alone through the city. In the hostel I wondered in the evening where the loud music came from. Opposite was only a dump. But suddenly there was movement between the garbage, lights went on. People were really living there. I wonder what moved them to do that?

Pontevedra - Caldas de Reis

At sunrise we went over the river Rio Lérez out of Pontevedra. Quickly we landed on beautiful forest paths and after 10 km a young woman gave out advertising flyers for her cafe in a small village. The village had only 2 cafes, so even in small towns were competing for the favor of pilgrims and tourists. We accepted the offer with thanks and still got a scallop to our coffee as a gift.

The way led further through small villages, now and then also along roads. For a long time there was no bar in sight, but people often put vending machines on their property. So we helped ourselves there today. Arrived in Caldas de Reis, our way leads first over the Roman bridge to the pilgrim hostel. I found it better than its reputation, except that the bar recommended there had a nice beer garden for our dinner, but the unenthusiastic waiter left us waiting. So we sat down in the evening at the Río Umia in a cafe.

Before that, however, we did a footbath in the hot water of the healing springs here and visited the waterfall about 5 km from the city center.