Day 13, Mogra to Santillana
Friendship isn't a big thing- it's a million little things. - Paul Coelho
Susan and I enjoyed our hotel room and slept late. We didn’t get back on the trail until 9am.
So much of the walk has been beautiful vistas and coastal views, but we’ve moved on from Basque Country to Cantabria. There are still some great views and beach walks, but we’ve also spent more and more time on pavement. We’ve gone through several industrial areas and even walked on highways for a few miles.
The highways are hard for me, there is not much of a shoulder and it feels scary, but you do get used to it after a while.
I keep trying to think of how to explain the camaraderie of the alburgues. You arrive at different times throughout the afternoon. Everyone sets out to shower and wash clothes first thing and then people gather, usually on a patio, sometimes in the kitchen area. We talk about the day. Places we’ve stayed, mostly just chit chat.
I like it when I end up in the same place as Richard (Australia) and his Camino buddy, Archie (Belgium) because they are loud and funny.
A sample conversation from this afternoon, please use accents in your head as you read it - I think it makes it better.
Archie: “They need to bring the wine out. There is wine here right? Your will all drink with me, no?”
Everyone: “Yes, of course”
Susan: “The problem with drinking is that after a couple of glasses of wine when I lay down the room spins, I hate that feeling”
Archie: sad face, “ you don't drink Susan, drinkers do not get that feeling”
Susan: eyes wide and questioning to Richard
Richard: “I'm afraid he’s right, you are not a drinker”
Susan: wide eyed to me
Me: “yeah, they’re right”
Archie: “Bonnie do you drink wine and beer?”
Me: “yes”
Archie: “what about whiskey, haha”
Me: “yes”
Archie: wide eyed
Richard: “a good American gal, has to drink Kentucky bourbon.”
Me: “yes, of course”
Susan: “oh my gosh really? With Coke or what do you mix it with?”
Me: “no, a big ice cube”
Now Archie and Susan are wide eyed, Richard is laughing.
I tell them I am my mother’s daughter, haha.
Susan: “Archie I can tell you are really a good boy”
Archie: sad face again “Susan, that is the worst thing you could ever say to a man”
Susan: “Why?”
Archie: “women want men who are bad, right Bonnie?”
Me: “I think I’m more evolved than you Archie” but I say it with a wink.
Now Archie is blushing and talking all about his wife. I love messing with Archie, and yes Susan he really is a good boy.
Richard and I head to get the wine…
Hope that helps those of you who keep asking me about my fellow walkers. It’s friendly, and interesting to hear about people’s homes and why they’re walking, but mostly it’s just silly chit chat and laughs. Also there are about 5 languages always happening all around the different little groups.
Buen Camino
XOXO,
Bon