Experience the real Camino

We left  Alvaiazere under a cloudy and foggy sky.  It was a perfect day for walking.  The first part was uphill thru a beautiful valley with many small villages.  There were olive trees on both sides of the road and path.  There were also plenty of rocks which had been used to build low walls - some of them hundreds of years old.  There were also hundreds of abandoned buildings in various states of decay.  The trail was rather rugged in some areas but well traveled and clear.

Today was the first day we saw pilgrims on the trail.  Some were traveling in our direction and other’s in the opposite direction which was the ‘Fatima’ trail.  They use the same trails just go in opposite directions.  The Camino Portuguese trail is marked with the yellow arrows while the Fatima trail uses blue arrows to keep them separate.  

At the highest point this morning we had wonderful views down the valley.  The hills are tree covered and wonderfully green.  We keep seeing groves where trees have been cut down and replanted with what looks like eucalyptus bushes.  Obviously this is a cash crop but one we’ve never seen before.

The second half was thru mostly narrow paths thru forests, fields and tiny villages.  It was a pretty quiet day but very enjoyable.  We finished around 1 PM and found a cafeteria with great food and amazing pastries and cookies.  We walked onward to our hotel and are sitting out on the balcony.  

We are getting into ‘Camino Mode’ where each day has a nice rhythm with a morning routine followed by breakfast then heading out for our walk.  We talk once in awhile but mainly enjoy the countryside and the pace.  As we get near the end we talk about dinner plans and the next day’s travel.  We get into the hotel and relax for awhile.  Then a shower followed by white wine followed by dinner with red wine.  The food has been wonderful everywhere - with good people happy to help us.  

Tomorrow is a longer day so we are resting to get ready.  As we sit on our balcony listening to the chickens, birds, dogs and the man across the street hammering on rocks:  the house is under construction - which we have seen many places on our first three days, we are smiling.