Today was one of those days that truly made the Camino feel alive again. Setting out from Tomar on the way to Alvaiázere, the path was long but rich in beauty—winding through forests, over gravel paths, and through sleepy villages. It was the kind of day that reminds you why you're here, walking.
About an hour and a half into the day, the skies decided to surprise me with a sudden rain shower. It came out of nowhere, almost, and I scrambled to throw on my rain gear before I got completely soaked. Thankfully, I mostly succeeded—just a bit of a drizzle to keep things interesting.
As I carried on, I bumped into a familiar face: the friendly Canadian I'd met before. He's walking this Camino as a true pilgrimage, and we had some friendly conversation going until I decided I needed breakfast, he was determined to continue. He was trying to get to a certain town for mass…
More lovely walking followed, some small pains and aches, all managed. Some near catastrophic equipment failure, that still might happen, but now there is a plan on how to fix it. Should it happen that is… knock on wood
By the time I reached Alvaiázere, I was ready to rest. The hostel I checked into was spacious, complete with a bathtub, but... it had this overpowering perfume smell, like someone had just taken apart a fragrance factory in the room. And the whole place felt damp.
Then a fellow pilgrim who's been following my journey mentioned an "awesome stamp" at the albergue nearby. Curiosity piqued, I went to check it out. It turned out to be more than just a stamp—it was a whole wax-sealing ritual! I immediately asked if there were beds available (you needed to stay to get one of those coveted seals), and luckily, there was. So I hurried back, packed my things, left my key, and moved over.
The new place was simpler, but it was dry and, most importantly, free of any overpowering scents. It was a long day of walking, but easily the best one so far. Finally, it feels like the Camino again.
Now I need to get ready for tomorrow, and let's just say my whirlwind escape from Motel Damp left my belongings in a state of organized chaos. My backpack looks like a tour group of socks decided to start a mosh pit. Finding matching socks is now more of a scavenger hunt than a packing job. If anyone needs me, I’ll be wrestling with my clothes and negotiating with my toiletries for some semblance of order!
PS! The missing days are in the works, but today? Pure bliss! Just the right amount of chaos at the end to keep it spicy.