Day 25: Friends old and new

Sarria to Castromayor / 20.5 miles

Protein chocolate mousse before leaving the albergue
Realizing upon leaving the albergue that I was 500m away from the trail, requiring a pre-dawn navigation of city streets and a steep hill slick with rain. I eventually found the path, but somehow circumvented the famous staircase that leads you out of the city
So many new pilgrims on the trail today! The minimum distance required to earn the Compostela (official pilgrimage certificate) is 100km on foot, and Sarria is a major town about 110km from Santiago, so most people start the walk here
Meeting a group of women in line for the bathroom who are from Charlotte and thought meeting me, a Davidsonian, was a happy sign from above blessing their walk
Running into my friend Marcelo from Buenos Aires. Last time I saw him, Marcelo was taking my photo in front of the “790 km to Santiago de Compostela” sign in Roncesvalles
Fresh squeezed juice — a blend of orange, carrot, apple and who knows what else — with a slice of Tarta de Santiago, an almond cake with powdered sugar on top
Passing and being passed by the Mallorquines
Having a pizza lunch with my Dutch friend Claudia
A much quieter trail from Portomarin onward
Penne bolognese followed by fried eggs and french fries (and another slice of Tarta de Santiago) for a nutritious dinner