Day 28: Portomarin to Palas de Rei (Auna)

Day 28:  Portomarin to Palas de Rei
16.2 Miles
Total: 447.0 Miles

      In the darkness of the early morning we struggled to find our way out of town, there was no arrows to direct us and all we knew is that we had to cross a bridge. We thought it may be wise to follow the parade of people but suddenly we see head lights turn and begin to walk back towards us. This gave us a nice head start, but soon headlights began to get closer and that's when we knew that we had to get a move on it. 

       *As we tried to find the arrows leading out of the city, the competitive feelings began to set in. We NEEDED to find the arrows before the group of 100 or more got too close. We went back to where we had came in the previous day and looked for any sign of a familiar scallop shell or yellow painted arrow. As we found what looked like the trail we began to pick up speed, from across the river you could see tons of little feet scampering to be ahead of one another.*

       Today just became a race and I love it! The competition wasn't that hard to beat but there were a lot of people. It is a whole different Camino now, you can't take your time anymore, you have to get up early and go to the Albergue as soon as we can. I like taking my time and having breaks but today we stopped one time and it was barely 5 minutes. By the end of the day we were all pretty tired but we were the first ones there! It felt nice to sit back, relax, and watch all the other pilgrims come in but we had to wait a couple hours for it to open. 
       I didn't do much today, just a quick super market run and made a sandwich for dinner. The temperature is starting to warm up thank goodness! I've been freezing and wearing most of my clothes at one time. I managed to score one of the few blankets they have here. So I plan on being nice n' toasty this evening, instead of freezing like the last few nights. 

*As I sit here on my bunk and finish up the journal entry, I look around and see Deija reading a book at the foot of my bed, completely relaxed, and people who we have been walking with the whole trip, even if it's hard to communicate with words, I still feel as though it's a sort of family bonding that ties us together. A family bonding that the people who just joined will never get to experience, which is sad because that is one of the best parts of the Camino.*

Buen Camino!

Auna