Vivian & Allen's Portugal Camino

We got up at our regular early hour (relative) of 6:30, ate breakfast and then walked to the Pilgrim Office to get our "certificado."  To be certified, a pilgrim has to have walked a minimum of the last 101 miles, have a minimum of two stamps/day, and have a spiritual/religious intent. Allen and I predicted differently about the process. We arrived five minutes before the office opened, but there was already a line. It was sloooooooow. Allen found a place to sit, and I stood and moved forward for 80 minutes. When we were asked to come forward, it was similar to Customs. The person in authority had us sign a sheet with relevant information including the purpose of our walk-religious, spiritual, or tourist. She looked at our stamps and made sure that we had sufficient stamps at each stop.  Of particular importance was the village of Porrino, which is 101 miles away from Santiago. It was a thorough process and not one that is commercialized or done by "burned-out bureaucra...

We walked almost the entire way today with the young Irish siblings. What a pleasure! Aisling and I walked a bit ahead and had a lively conversation particularly about traveling. Her brother, Conner, walked with Allen and discussed History. They did not fall behind much at all. Hopefully we will see them tomorrow when we tour the town, Cathedral, etc.... If not: May the wind always be at their back. May the sun shine warmly upon their face, And rains fall soft upon their fields Until we meet again. Friends, WE MADE IT. 150 miles . No blisters. No twisted ankles or sore knees. Perhaps best of all, Vivian and I are still talking. Thank God for beer and port. Tomorrow a real vacation day. We can leisurely stroll and sightsee. Vivian craves pasta. We'll search in a few minutes. Thanks for traveling with us. Allen

Another lovely day with some interesting features. A little more about Caldas de Reis before we leave it. The thermal springs that are a continuous 40 C are central to its popularity from early times. As much of the way, it is situated on the Via Roman XIX. King Alfonso VII was born here. The Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas a' Becket has a church dedicated to him in Caldas de Reis. He made the pilgrimage to Santiago three years before his assassination. Gorgeous River Bermana next to which we ate dinner on Day 11 at the International Restaurant  Walking through Caldas de Reis We continue on the Roman Road On the reverse side of most of the stone crosses is now Lady of Piety. The next figure down is Lazarus, I believe and then a pilgrim. Two Dutch pilgrims who we interacted with for several days. The Mother on the right will be 80 in two weeks. She was quite vigorous and pleasant. Two more older Dutch women who carried everything with them. Quite impre...