After I had a shower I took out my sleeping bag and laid it out on my bed. I decided to have a little rest for half and hour and then went out to sit at a cafe and write. I met some new people and we were chatting when I found a bunch of little itchy bumps on my shoulder. I got Gerry (from Ireland) to have a look and he said he thought it was what I dreaded it to be. Yes. I have bed bugs. Gerry and I came back to the albergue, my head hung in shame, admitting to my haeneous crime. The young man and woman who run the place gave me two big plastic bags and told me to pack up everything that can be washed and bring it down to the laundry. Everyone in the dorm was looking at me and I felt so embarassed. God Bless Gerry, who came with me and helped me. I have to have everything washed, even what I am wearing and it will cost me 5 euros per load! They can´t wash my pack but they can spray it with something. I feel like my whole body is covered in bites (it isn´t) and that there are bugs crawling all over me (there aren´t). Now I have to hang around here until some clothes are ready for me to wear.
I feel like crying.....but I´m not going to.
This too, shall pass.
Tuesday 4 October 2011
Bed bugs.....?
I have some red spots on my arms and am wondering if they are bed bugs. Not itchy, but quite red. I will air out my sleeping bag and wash everything in my pack in a machine. I have checked all my stuff and don´t see any sign of any black dots so I´m hoping it is just the sun. Yesterday the temperature was 34 degrees in Ponferrada. I decided to stay there because there is a medieval castle (1200ad) and I really wanted to go through it. I totally forgot that on Mondays everything is closed in Spain and since I never know what day of the week it is, I didn´t get to go in. I was quite disappointed so when into yet another cathedral. The one in Ponferrada is quite special as it has very strong links to the Templar knights and has attained the lofty status of a Basillica. It was quite beautiful, but not so grand as others I have seen.
I walked 26km today to Villafranca, just at the foot of the next mountain to climb - O´Cebrera. Tomorrow is supposed to be over 30km to the top but there are a few little villages before that which I think I will consider. I read that O´Cebrera is not a great place to stay and this will shorten the walk a little and since it is all uphill, will be quite hard. I am realizing how strong I am getting as the hills are so easy for me now and I can keep my regular pace. I stop often to take photos and breathe......
On the other side of the mountain, I leave the province of Castille d´Leon and enter Galecia. Apparently, this is where there is a very good white wine - Albarino - which you must eat with octopus. My friend Juan Jo from Spain has been a good guide and translator for me. I met him yesterday and we are having dinner again together tonight. Again, I pledge to learn Spanish!
Most of the time I walk alone. I prefer it right now as I am needing to let my thoughts be what they are. After leaving the meseta, I am enjoying being in the mountains again. So many people complained about the meseta but for me it was a rich and beautiful time. I believe the transition is necessary to the process of the Camino and I am so happy I was able to do it all at once.
There are very few people I know now as I am either ahead of or behind the people I originally started out with. I met two Polish men today and they were fascinated that I had come from so far away and all alone.
My boots and my feet seem to have made peace with each other and most of my blisters are healed. This is a great blessing as I realize how much harder it was to walk now that they are better. I bless them every morning.
Now, two people waiting for the computer so I must close.
Love to all
J
I walked 26km today to Villafranca, just at the foot of the next mountain to climb - O´Cebrera. Tomorrow is supposed to be over 30km to the top but there are a few little villages before that which I think I will consider. I read that O´Cebrera is not a great place to stay and this will shorten the walk a little and since it is all uphill, will be quite hard. I am realizing how strong I am getting as the hills are so easy for me now and I can keep my regular pace. I stop often to take photos and breathe......
On the other side of the mountain, I leave the province of Castille d´Leon and enter Galecia. Apparently, this is where there is a very good white wine - Albarino - which you must eat with octopus. My friend Juan Jo from Spain has been a good guide and translator for me. I met him yesterday and we are having dinner again together tonight. Again, I pledge to learn Spanish!
Most of the time I walk alone. I prefer it right now as I am needing to let my thoughts be what they are. After leaving the meseta, I am enjoying being in the mountains again. So many people complained about the meseta but for me it was a rich and beautiful time. I believe the transition is necessary to the process of the Camino and I am so happy I was able to do it all at once.
There are very few people I know now as I am either ahead of or behind the people I originally started out with. I met two Polish men today and they were fascinated that I had come from so far away and all alone.
My boots and my feet seem to have made peace with each other and most of my blisters are healed. This is a great blessing as I realize how much harder it was to walk now that they are better. I bless them every morning.
Now, two people waiting for the computer so I must close.
Love to all
J
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