We looked over our guide once again and it warns of hard climbs and descents on the next trek from Torres Del Rio to Viana. Marybel has been speaking with some people who mentioned that perhaps we should skip this part as it will be really hard on the legs and if we are hurting, it can get worse. Decision time again. Looking at the guide, we see that there is a peregrino highway for the disabled. We can walk on this highway unlike the first Highway where we almost got a ticket. I was so undecided as to what to do that I really waivered between the two paths until the last minute. I was feeling better but I did not know what to expect as this trek was only going to be 2 1/2 hours for the fit and sturdy. Marybel expressed that I have to work on my ficklemindedness. I agree.

On our way out of Torres Del Rio, we came upon a truck selling fruit, fish, meat much like a market on wheels. The truck driver goes from town to town selling the items out of his truck. I took some pictures and will upload this later. He sold me fresh strawberries so intense in flavour for $1.85 for half a kilo. This is the Spanish life where you get the freshest of food from farm to table. I could live like this. No Spanish fat people here as food is highly nutritious and people don’t overeat. They do drink lots of wine though.

At the very last minute, I decided we take the Highway as my knee acted up again upon leaving Torres Del Rio. It was a good decision as we viewed the Camino route from the Highway as they run paralel in some parts. We could see how difficult the route was and was thanking God that we did not take it. Very hilly with steep upclimbs and declines.

We reached Viana at around 2pm at the Albergue Izar. This is a new Albergue and has free wifi with the fee of $8 per person. That is why I am able to provide an update this night. I informed Marybel that I did not want to have a heavy dinner every night just before going to bed. I suffered two heartburns two nights before and had a small nightmare last night. I am chaulking them to the heavy meals and very strong Spanish wine prior to settling in for the night.

So this time around we both decided to have our biggest meals of the day during lunch or Almuerzo (spanish mid day meal). We started this today at a restaurant recommended by the caretaker of this Albergue. What a great recommendation! It was a classy restaurant with white table linen service. The menu de dia is still only $10. We had Carne Lasagne, Secreto plancha (pan fried Beef fillet of the day with fries) and a chocolate torte for dessert. I have to mention the following at this stage. I have saved us from Marybel’s decisions for meals for yesterday and today. Both times, she just wanted to eat at the first restaurant that is on our path and both times, I encourage her to not do it and just walk a bit further to see what is available. Even today, after having been given a recommendation that was a bit further away, she wanted to have her meal at the first Taverna on the same street. Well, I am glad that she gives in to my suasion as this midday meal was excellent at a great decent price. 5 star European meal at 2 star price. Who could ask for more. The wine was so good that we finished the whole bottle and ended up drunk for the first time on the Camino. We also reunited with Craig Gill who was having lunch with two other guys. Craig won’t be staying overnight in Viana and will go onto Logrono for tonight. We asked to meet up with him tomorrow if he was still around just to hang out as he is quite fun and extremely sociable. Exchanged phone numbers and will see if we can do this.

I was quite dizzy when we returned to the Albergue so I took a snooze for a couple of hours. Marybel experienced a painful headache and did almost the same with a couple of tylenols. After the much needed nap, the camino routine began once again with showering and tending to bodily hurts and needs. Same old, same old.

Met another two new pilgrims for this night, a japanese man named FuKudome and a Spanish retiree, Pepe. They will be sharing the room with us in our assigned dormitories. Nice older men.

My thought for today is expectations are useless on the Camino. It holds surprises in every corner. You have no control over anything. You can only make decisions when situations are presented to you in the moment. Life on the Camino can change quite quickly and will make no apologies for doing so. Definitely have to go with the flow in order to align yourself with it.

Hey, for those of you following my blog, can you please enter your email on the “follow the blog widget” so that I know who is reading please. So far, thank you Theresa, Maria, Carol and of course my brother. Send me comments and questions so that I may make this blog more interesting for me and you.

Hasta Luego once again!! Muchismo Gracias!!