Day 35: Palas de Rei - Arzua, 28.5 km.
The day started out with fresh chocolate croissants straight out of the oven. Need I say more?? The people of Palas de Rei are some of the most consistently kind people I've met on this journey, and that is saying a lot. Every time we asked a question, or for a recommendation, someone would personally escort us to get us where we wanted to go. Seriously kind, generous people. And that's how we ended up with those amazing croissants. (No picture...my bad!)
28,5 km in hill country is a lot of up and down. A LOT! The Spanish call this section the "leg breaker". I am happy to report we are tired but not broken. Part of the time we walked through oak and eucalyptus forests which made it smell like a day at the spa. In the villages the roses and flowers are bountiful...spring is so beautiful here.
One town we walked through, Lobreiro, was written about in the 12th century as an important stop for pilgrims. The Romanesque Parish Church of Santa Maria has a beautiful carved figure of the Virgin on the portal. The picture of the building with the coat of arms is across from the church, and was a hospital for pilgrims that is known to have existed in the 12th century as well.
Today also included another crossing of a 4 arch medieval bridge...my favorite. Melide has a fabulous church with 11-15th century representation. A lovely volunteer showed me around and explained so fast I only really caught his excitement and reverence.
In Arzua we had another Camino angel find us a room in a sold out town that turned out to be a great apartment. Next door was a restaurant that served a vegetarian peregrino meal which is 3 courses, a bottle of wine, bread, and water for 10 euro. We met 2 very fun and lovely ladies from Minneapolis who also started their Camino in St. Jean and we laughed and griped about all the new shiny pennies.
