leaving camino

My dorm hosted many matured aged S Korean men who cooked up a garlic storm before bed. This mornings air was thick with the aromas of digested garlic & Asian sauces. They left a half hour ago, but the stench remains. I won't miss that, & its wet & cold outside.

Of course I am only half serious. I will miss everything. I hope I don't miss my fitness, I will strive to keep going with walking & cycling, surfing & sailing.  

Two hours till the Lugo bus leaves Portomarin. I still love this place, it feels coastal despite being hundreds of kilometers inland. 

Lucky accident, watching Spanish TV mews, I realise my phone clock is an hour slow. The New Ted is of course ready for such things. I am still 30 minutes early.

Standing at the bus stop opposite the Portomarin sign, two couples have asked me to take photos. 

Unwinding, my body is more relaxed than its been for a while. Its feels loosed, & my mind is drifting into romantic ideals, I am searching for poetic & artistic symbols. I feel light & lucky as I go. I must have a mind to stay on focus as my travel times emerge through the day, but I feel buoyant picking up the time discrepancy. 

On the Lugo bus its all noise & rush. Then bus goes on with undue haste & the happy Spanish women, going to the shops or travelling, have their phones on high volume,, the rest try to talk over the background noise of music,  upbeat percussive, and road noise. I suppose I will need to adjust over the next four days & on the plane.

LUGO, SPAIN.

bus from Portomarin did its job. Now I'm under three hours for my ALSA bus to Madrid. This bus departs just metres away & I have a good chance of boarding for Madrid. 

I am rereading Peter Freeman's "Cape Horn Birthday". The escapist topic maintains my brain activity beyond the mundane events of the here & now. 

I have an idea of publishing a Camino eBook entitled " My Quiet Camino". My referring to the solo aspect, but also having done it my way. Quiet referring to avoidance of crowds, pilgrims gatherings or walking groups. Choosing instead to concentrate on walking mindfully, praying frequently & remaining quiet on my way. I would publish this on Kindle for $2 on my tablet. 

I'm snacking on salty nuts mix, chic coated digestives & water, & wandering, mostly seeking out quiet sunny spots which are short lived. Occasionally a cold zephyr will strike through every layer of clothing. Its debateable whether reading of freezing conditions in the Southern Ocean is helping or hindering. I helps pass the time. I'm hoping the driver at Gate #16 fires  up soon & the heater is on as we get underway. 

Pigeons: There are two pigeons in the bus station checking for scraps. At times when I see these birds in Spain I wonder about their history. This much maligned "rat of Tue sky" has surely seen all the timeless cities & ruins of the grey Roman Empire. Before drones, these avains perched on church spires & turrets of forts & citadels to catch aerial views of plazas, estuaries & parks. 

Onboard: after a moment of alarm when I board the bus that has been parked in gate 16 refuses my ticket, a young woman explains that the turquoise bus that has just pulled up in the next terminal is the Madrid bus. Eek! Anyway am onboard bound for Madrid. I have accomm booked, just need to confirm flights & get to the airport! 

Well the station was a good way from the city & traffic was heavy, but there's no doubt using a taxi was a great fit. The albo is a cheap city option & of course, off Camino so not entirely what I'm used to. But I am safe, have my phone & Pav for entertainment, so all is good. 

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