In windy, coldness, driving rain and darkness, I did another 28km today. But I think the kms are catching up on me. As almost a truism about walking, the first thing that seems to go are the feet, blisters. Part of my issue is I have been trying to keep up with other walkers paces which all seem to be faster than mine.
As I was getting toward the end of the 28km today, walking in driving rain, the hostal van pulled up behind me full of pilgrims and offered me a lift along with everyone else. Out of part stubborness and part wanting to 'stick it' to the French pilgrims inside, I told the hostal driver 'thanks but I am a pilgrim. Pilgrims don't take car rides.' Of course, I was then hit with a deluge of rain which made me look completely idiotic. I must say though that not taking motorized transport is the one thing I am happy about on these caminos as it maintains the purity of the experience for me.
I am 100km+ away from Salamanca, a major city. I would prefer making it to there before giving my feet a few days of rest. A big reason is there are usually more food options than Spanish food which I really find disgusting. Another reason is I would have some sights to visit.
It is too bad I trekked 35km yesterday and didn't get anywhere! It was a good life learning experience. Instead of trying to push a situation that could have been miserable by hoping to find a path to our designation, I advocated to our group of four we backtrack to our last reliable "fleche" sign. After we did that, I told them that I was going back to the last town to sleep and try again tomorrow. I didn't have a 55km day in me especially with the weather. They agreed.
My strategy is to do another 21km tomorrow. Unfortunately it is suppose to continue to be stormy. But that's life.
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