Camino 2014: Day 24 Alto do Poio to Sarría (Lanie)

Camino 2014: Day 24 Alto do Poio to Sarría (Lanie) 

Miles today: 19.1

Miles total: 392.3

I would first like to announce that today is my birthday and I am officially 16 years old! Yay! :) And now I shall tell you about my wonderful day...

This morning I woke up and everyone was already packed up and leaving downstairs. I didn't get the tap on the shoulder from March and I was actually really mad.. I started rushing and getting all of my things together. I grabbed all of my stuff and went downstairs where I stepped outside and got the biggest surprise ever! On the table was a sugary chocolate chip cake w/ smiley face cookies around it, a chocolate milk, and a 1 & 6 candle lit on top. Then everyone started singing Happy Birthday and I just couldn't stop smiling! :) And it was sooo good too! There were even a few little gifts wrapped and a card. Mimi got me a red Santiago bracelet (loved it!), Emily got me a Santiago shell magnet (loved it!), and March and Sahra got me a Camino shell necklace and a card (loved it!). I also opened one of my birthday cards from home. It was from my brother and of course it was a funny one so we all laughed, haha. Thanks Cade! 

We finished the cake, packed everything into my bag, and took off. It was very very cold, extremely foggy, and already sprinkling. I walked with Sahra who had a headlamp so we could see. She also told me about celebrating her birthday on the Camino a few years ago. She received the same kind of necklace and told me it is a birthday shell:). 

We came to a little town where we took a bathroom break and waited for the others. It started raining so I put on my garbage bag. I looked like a giant clear marshmallow.. Haha. The big morning stretch was 10km to another town. There was a cafe there so Sahra and I sat outside and waited for the others. When they arrived, we all went in and I bought a birthday hot cocoa. We continued on ahead after and went 12km to the lunch spot.

As me and Sahra walked through the rain and mud downhill and uphill for two hours straight, I kept a smile on my face because not even soaked socks, a few blisters, and muddy legs could ruin today :). We came to a food place and sat under a covered area while we set down our bags and looked at the menu. We both bought a tortilla española bocadillo. It was hot and super yummy. I also opened my second birthday card and it was from my mom and dad. As I read it, happy tears filled my eyes and I could barely keep it together so I shoved my sandwich in my face to keep myself from losing it. It was the best card ever and it made me miss them like crazy. When the rest of the group came, they snacked, and we all took off together. 

It stopped raining for the last 8km we had to walk to Sarría. Thank goodness. We were all limping by the time we got to the hostel. Emily was injured, Mimi's ankle hurt, and I got some new blisters from my wet socks. We made it before 3pm which was pretty good for being a longer day. The hostel was really nice. We picked out some bunks, showered, carried our clothes down to be washed, and went back up to organize and journal. I then opened my last card from my grandma. I loved it! Thank you Nomey! 

After putting all my birthday stuff away, I fell asleep and it turned into a long, but nice nap. 

All three of us woke up at 7pm and March and Sahra said they saw an Italian restaurant up the street (because I wanted pizza). We got three large pizzas; margarita, classic, and 3-meat. I have three words for you... Best pizza ever. (Shout-out to my amazing parents for paying for my birthday dinner!) After we finished all three, we left to go to a small market, buy some fruit, and get some ice cream! I got strawberry & vanilla. 

Later in the evening I got to call some people and chat for a few minutes which was probably the best birthday present of all. I'm so blessed to walk the trail with people like March, Sahra, Mimi, and Emily, who care so much to make my 16th a special day. It was the best birthday so far.

5 days until Santiago! 

Lanie 

Special thanks for the day go to: 

Patrick March, 

Many thanks to our mile sponsors as well: 

Jan Cornelius, Daren and Sandy Harmon,