Camino Via de la Plata, VdlP: May 17 Lubian to Gudina (Stage 32)

The Way to Gudina

This morning was something to behold. We got up at 0530 as did eventually everyone. It seems everyone had to go to the bathroom at the same time. The toilet broke Jon Claude was trying to fix it and there was a line forming. One broken toilet and 17 people needing to use it. All day long everyone scoots behind a tree; but, this morning everyone wants the toilet. We decided to eat and go. We had our yogurt and sweet role . We were off at 0600 with our lights on. It was a wonderful downhill out of the town. We then were diverted to a narrow, rocky road and we began our climb up to Canda at 1262 metors. A simply beautiful area but the trail was wet and muddy. The mud was not clay but more sandy so it did not stick to your boots; but, once again, we were crossing big pools of water. It was really fun and amusing to pick your way up the mountain. There is nothing like a challenge to keep you interested. It was almost 9 k up the mountain and probably a good 80 percent of the time the trail was under water. So goes the camino. The flowers and shrubs and trees and fields of grass were spectacular. It was worth what little hardship we endured. In the skeam of things what is a little mud. We entered a new province in Spain called Galicia. which is very beautiful. Our pictures cannot do it justice. Once we reached the top of the mountain, we went up and down the hills in and out of small towns until we reached Gudina. This is where there are two routes to Ourence. There is the northern route which is more isolated by way of Laza and the southern route. We will take the northern route. We phoned yesterday to reserve a room at the Hostel Madrilena. Yesterday our alberque was full with extra mattresses on the floor and all the private beds were full in town also. This hostel is clean and lovely It has a bathtub and your own toilet. The cost was only 35 euros. Well worth it. We walked over to the albergue and met up with Bernardo a pilgrim from Barcelona. We have hooked up with him on and off for a week. It was good to see him. He had walked through Lubian going several miles more but the albergue he was going to was closed and he had to stay in a hostel. We hope to meet up with him at 0600 tomorrow. We then came back to the hostel for lunch. We met up with about 7 Barcelonians who are friends that walk to gather every Saturday and Sunday. Every year they take a week of their vacation and they go off together. Finally our amigo Jean from Holland came in exausted and thirsty. She wanted to get a room but everything in town was full. Stu took her over to the albergue and she got a bed. We all have the same concerns first a bed and then a beer followed by food.