The Last Day in Portugal
Viana do Castelo - Caminha (17.8 miles)
Leaving Viana do Castelo this morning was a relief. I don't know exactly how I feel about the place, I just know it did not leave a great impression. Staying at the convent was a very unusual experience, I hope not to repeat. There were also many lights and sirens driving around the city. I saw 6 cars that were either police cars or ambulances during my brief visit here. They all look alike to me, yellow vehicles with blue writing and blue lights. The Italians were definitely the first ones awake, followed by the Spanish people next door. I heard them playing music loudly as they packed their bags. I believe the song I heard was "I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing" by Aerosmith, or something very similar. It's hard to remember these things when you are still half asleep. I guess I missed somethings!
The road out of Viana do Castelo was a busy one, but it soon turned into winding narrow lanes through some old and quiet neighborhoods. Only the occasional barking dogs, passing cars on the road above, or neighbors chatting with one another from an open window could be heard. The route was too far away from the coast to hear the ocean.
Before long I was passing through Vila Praia de Âncora and back on the beach. I took a long break on a bench overlooking the surf. The sun was out and it had turned into a rather nice day. The path along the beach was a faded yellow that looked brighter with the tint in my sunglasses. I am really glad I chose the coastal route. It has been a long time since I have been to the ocean. I think the last time was in 2018 when I was in Costa Rica.
Caminha seemed like a small town. The hostel was run by Germans and mostly occupied by Germans. The dormitory room I was in had 5 Germans with 2 more next door. We found a number of restaurants in the town square and settled for a hamburger place. Yeji and Xenia were looking for a place with vegetarian burgers. Our waiter was from the African island of São Tomé. After dinner we sat near the river and stared across at the lights in Spain. Portugal has been wonderful, yet there are more adventures ahead for me in Spain!
Xenia remembers part of this path from walking it 3 years ago on her first Camino. It is all new to me and paused for a long time to look at the old bridge and river we crossed over near Afife. I was enjoying the hills and trees again, but really wanted to get back to the coast. However, I was not looking forward to leaving Portugal. My destination for today is Caminha and it sits on the Rio Minho and across the river is Spain. I will miss Portugal and being able to speak a language that I love. I will be able to get by with what Spanish I know, but it will not be the same.
Check out O Último Dia em Portugal - Day 18 on Relive! https://www.relive.cc/view/vrqDgdk8Bw6
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