Days 15 & 16, Viana do Castello - Carraco

12,67 km, 18 731 steps

My feet killed me.

Yesterday the walk was mind numbing. I woke up late, I didn't feel like walking. I just wanted to have a rest day. I forced myself to start in the morning, but the walking was far from pleasant. It was painful and annoying.

I had to take care of some errands in Viana before continuing my way so I managed to get myself out of the town only after 11 or so. I thought for sure I'd be the last one to arrive to albergue that day.

I kept more breaks than ever. My feet were aching so bad. I didn't feel like sitting at the cafeterias which ended up being a huge mistake. I sat on the stairs on the top of the hill. The walk was taking me through a residential area and the scenery was boring. Nothing fun to see.

I spent good half on hour sitting on a stairway and finishing my cola. Only to find out that the cafeteria would've been 100 meters forward. I decided to skip it, because I had just had my break and thought it was good idea to continue.

After that there was no cafeterias. I had hard time finding the next spot for resting an hour later and I was pretty annoyed for the route just taking me through the residential areas.

I was thinking about turning back to spend another night in Viana. My feet were aching and the route was as boring as any walk I could take back home.

That was the point when the route turned. It took me through alleys that were in between older walls, outside the walls of something where the other edge of the path was forest. It turned amazing.

My mood got a bit better and I continued walking despite my feet. I was somehow happy until the path took a turn to yet another residential neighborhood. I had a break. I sat there and let the dogs bark at me. I didn't mind. My mind sank back into the depths of annoyance and the pain in my heels felt worse every moment.

I checked my app for how far from the albergue I was only to realize that it was 1,7kms away. I started walking slowly. I came to a restaurant where a bunch of German pilgrims were sitting outside enjoying their coffee. I was happy to see familiar faces, so I sat down with them. Eventually one of them continued her way towards the next village and a bit later the rest of us shared the walk to the albergue.

While walking that last 800 meters I decided that no matter what there is waiting for me, I'll stay for two nights. My feet deserve a proper day off. No walking, no shoes, just some pampering and time to recover.

When we arrived to albergue I knew instantly that I had made the right decision. It felt like home the minute I walked in the door.

I can't beat one of the greatest writers of all time describing how it is here. It's very much like the house where Bilbo lived. You can re-read your Tolkiens if you don't remember. It's lovely.

We have a small pool outside, two dogs wandering around the yard. The garden overlooking the ocean and after the sunset you can watch the lighthouses light coming and going.

Last night we sat in the common room with a Dutch traveler, listening to LP records and just minding our own things. In the evening we had our meals delivered to us here and most of the people from the albergue attended the dinner. It was lovely.

The town is also small enough, so there's nothing to see or do here. So I can't really have a better place for my rest day. There's nothing to do here. And I love it just the way it is.

#CaminodeSantiago #CaminoPortugueseCosta #CaminoPortuguese #Camino #pilgrimwithadragontattoo