Day #19. Gonzar to Palas de Rei. 17 km 5 hours

What wonders an afternoon and night of good rest and a blue sky can make.  We slept in a bit - until 6:30, had toast and cafe con leche (a typical Spanish breakfast), and set off about 8:30 with rain gear at the ready.  At first the clouds were threatening, but finally cleared and blue sky triumphed.  It was a pretty easy walk, no huge hills, so we walked a little faster than usual.  I was feeling so much better and stronger than the day before.  As we walked we talked briefly with 2 women from London, and met a couple from Michigan at a cafe. 

 We  ran into 2 women we had met in our Albergue in Mercadoiro, Rosa from Cuba who now lives in Florida and Sue from Bainbridge

Island in Washington. They had decided to abandon the Camino and tour other places in Spain.  It's interesting to observe how others are walking the Camino.  Some make reservations ahead and send their backpacks ahead by taxi staying only in hotels, or places where they can have private rooms.  Many, mostly young people, stay only in dormitorios, carry their packs and cook their own food in the Albergue kitchen.  Some, particularly since Sarria, are with tour groups like a group of 32 Irish people we met.