Let me tell you about my gite in St Come. Beautiful little village with the crooked church bell tower. The gite was family run. It was French wokenèss essentially on steroids. It was in an old building with narrow staircases and small rooms. Each room had 6 bunk beds. 25 pilgrims and only one toilet and one shower. It was everyman or woman for themselves. Like I said those walking sticks are not just for walking. It turns out that the hosts are Vegans so all pilgrims have to comply. The male host could speak good English so he explained to me each and every ingredient in the salad. Then we had to sing a song dedicated to Europe, Charlamagne and the Camino. Then the main course came. Orange colored goulash with whatever ingredients. Again the host explained to me in great detail all the ingredients. Then I turned to me left and saw this great big boob. The host’s nephew’s wife was breastfeeding. I bet the baby’s main course was a tad better than mine. Wow. And I dared ask if there was viande in the meal. We’ll, you would have thought the devil himself had shown up. Mon died Monsieur. Viande? Sacre blue.
Then the male host gave us a 40 minute sermon about St Jacques and the Camino. 40 minutes of my life that I will never get back. The only escape for me was to fiegn diarrhea and high tail it out of there. Shit. It worked. I escaped but I flushed the only toilet many times. I know I lied.
Lover’s lane. Ah to be with the one you love here.
The trek was short but the last 10 kilometers were brutal in 32 C heat. I stopped for a break on the shade by the side of the road. I was exhausted and so, so hot. A couple stopped for me and gave me a lift over the last 1.5 kilometers. I almost cried with their charity. That is the spirit of the Camino. Total strangers reaching out for one another. Then I met Vincent and Natalie, Gregor and Clair. They are all part of the Camino family. Here now in Estaing. They have a public swimming pool so I am going to go swimming. Read ya tomorrow From Esperac. Cheers.
To prove I am really here.
Happy Anniversary Dottie.
Having been associated with the sea almost all of my life, I thought of this. A very young Rod Stewart.
John…out.
Awe thank you darling, I love that song. I’m so glad there are Camino Angels watching over you!
I pray there will be meat for you today, be safe
All my love Dottie
I love it too.
Are they only Vegan during the Camino period to save money on Viande? How much do they charge per person? Looks like there’s whackos everywhere.
39 Euros for a bed in a shared dorm.
Includes dinner if you can call it that and breaky of small glass of orange, hard bread and a bowl of coffee.
Dear Uncle John,
I added the uncle so you didn’t get a ‘Dear John’ letter while on your pilgrimage. 😉
Dottie and I had a Vegan lunch yesterday so I feel your pain, I had to have a ‘little’ bit of your Black Label Crown Royal to help me get through the crisis of not having meat at lunch! (Twice I had a ‘little’)
Feeling for you as we only walked down the hill to the ferry…but after lunch we did have to walk that huge hill up to the car. Whew! What a trek. No wonder I had to have some of your Black Label Royal Crown!
Can’t wait to hear about your next meal! Keep on keeping on…
Hugs,
Niece Margaret
Lol. You help yourself to the crown royal. I love that stuff – on the rocks. And after your vegan lunch and the ferry you deserve it. Having a burger tonight. We will see how that goes cause the steak has been awful. 🍻
Great blog John.
We love to follow your walk.
Cheers,
Darryl and Karen
Thxs Daryl and Karen. It is tough but scenery makes up for it. In Conque tomorrow.