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After popping a sleeping pill I was able to sleep like a gem and didn't get up until 7:45 when all the lights were on and all the pilgrims were on the move.
I decided to leave as late as possible today as I only aimed to walk 10km. Just as I was leaving it started to rain so out with the rain gear. About an hour down the road the rain had stopped so I packed poncho away but this was just one of several downpours for the day!
One thing I am noticing straight away is there are no where near the amount of pilgrims on the Camino Portugues as I probably only crossed 10 or so for the whole day. The second thing is it is incredibly hard doing the Portuguese way backwards - all markings are guiding pilgrims to Santiago - not the other way around and I got incredibly lost all day. It forced me to basically knock on doors and pull cars over. It was great talking to fellow pilgrims and the locals. The locals on this Camino are far more friendly and helpful and gave me the motivation to continue.
I reached Padron my destination and stopped for some lunch. There was to be another Albergue just up the road about 6km so I chucked my rain gear on and headed in a south direction. This is where I got seriously lost and walked what I imagine was an extra 10km. Luckily I ran into a pilgrim and a farmer who headed me back in the right direction but it wasn't long till I was completely lost again searching out locals for direction.
I would manage to find the trail stick on it for 10 minutes and then completely loose it again. This along with the rain, me sweating profusely and hill after hill along an incredibly busy hwy truly tested me today. At many points I questioned what the hell I was doing and the answer was so clear: I need this challenge, maybe the Camino Frances was too easy in regards to waymarking and now I will have to use all my skills and intuition to get to my destination.
So 6 hours after leaving and getting only about 16km down the road and walking about 30km I am exhausted but happy. This shall be no walk in the park and will teach me much more about myself then my previous Camino did.
Only 5 others in the Albergue tonight so good chance of not being kept awake by snoring.
Portuguese Way Day 2 - No idea how many kms to go or where I am walking to - just know I got to keep on moving….……
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