Hostel problems

I managed to get a taxi from the train station to Decathlon, bought new shoes and walked out of the nice suburbs into the countryside. I’m glad to be walking again even if it’s only 5km to the next Albergue. I’m just happy to be away from the train line and all the filthy rubbish that’s everywhere. I think fly tipping is just normal in Portugal. Even out of the cities, every picnic area is full of rubbish. The sun is shining now and it’s about 17 degrees. The only negative thing is that I’m constantly walking on the side of the road and it’s not that safe. 

I got to the Albergue at 3. It’s some kind of community centre. Nobody there but a notice on the door gave a number to call. The guy told me i have to wait until 6pm to get in so I went back down the hill to sit in the sunshine outside the locked church in the village. The restaurant in the village stopped serving at 3 and won’t start up again until 8 so as it started to cool down I managed to find a cafe where I killed time reading my book and drinking 60 cent cups of black tea. 

I walked back up the hill in the dark to meet the guy for 6. At 6.15 I called him again and he said he’d be there at 7. It was getting cold, I waited until 7 then walked back to the cafe and asked the lady to call me a taxi. 

I’m now in the original private hostel I booked in advance that I would have walked to if I hadn’t caught the train. It’s in the city centre so I can get some food. 

I met an Asian guy in the hostel who lives in Benidorm, he said he only comes here to visit friends, otherwise he wouldn’t bother as it’s just as boring as his village back in Pakistan. 

I’ve looked at the route for tomorrow and it’s about 90% on roads again. I’m having second thoughts now about walking. Maybe I’ll just get a bus, there’s more chance of making it there alive. 

Comments

  1. Luce26 November 2024 at 13:16

    Oh Fr Steven. Get the bus, it was a good job I listened to Shrine prayers tonight and prayed for you and your pilgrimage. Think Jan listened too.
    Looking forward to hearing some more cheerful reports from you. All be well. ………..
    Our Lady of Fatima and Our Lady of Walsingham watch over you. Keep safe

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jan26 November 2024 at 14:10

      Get the bus. You need to keep safe. Hope tomorrow night's hostel is a bit better.šŸ™

      Delete

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