Day Two: Vila do Conde to Barcelinhos

Today was full of ups and downs -- up and down hills, ups (sun) and downs (rain) in the weather, ups with delicious food, downs with achy feet, ups with new pilgrim friends, downs with the albergues being full, ups with a bed in a hostel, ups with beautiful site and friendly people, and ups with the best company. (It is always good when the ups outweigh the downs). 

We started out today pretty sure we knew where we were going -- we were converting from the costal route to the central route today, and the nine kilometers in between the ways were not well marked; we started out pretty confident ... and then lost a little confidence ... and then it started raining ... pouring ... no arrows ... no confidence. So we backtracked a bit and checked and double checked the map; and then CJ spotted the best site any lost pilgrim can see -- a yellow arrow!! And we were off. No more confusion or getting turned about from that point on (or in the future now that we are in the central route). We treked along in our (ridiculously bright) rain gear until about nine when we stopped for breakfast; then we proceeded to Arcos, a little less than half way to our final destination. In Arcos we met a couple from the Czec Republic -- very friendly, also walking in our direction. We played "leap frog" with them the rest of the day -- we'd pass them, they'd pass us, and so on. 

A little outside Arcos we stopped inside a church to pray. That Pope Francis -- he has the whole church world wide concentrating on the year of mercy; banners outlining the corporal works of mercy hung from the ceiling above the altar. On one of the lectionaries hung a banner outlining how to put the works of mercy into action -- one of them said something about perigrinos on it, but I'm not sure what work of mercy it was depicting (perhaps it added a new one, such as "give direction to the lost" or "bathe the smelly"). 

As per Camino usual, the last five kilometers of the day are the hardest -- every town you enter you pray is the one you are to stay in; and they joy of finally arriving in your town takes ten pounds off your pack and two blisters off your feet! 

The path today was paved with cobblestones, which is charming and beautiful, but torturous for the feet after a few hours. By the time we arrived in our destination, all the albergues were booked, forcing us to stay in a hostel instead. I feel like I'm cheating on the Camino a bit -- but the pillows on the bed are winning me over (albergues don't provide pillows in the beds ...). 

After we checked in at the hostel, we went in search of food; again when we completed our meal the cafe owner wanted to take our photo -- but this time I was ready: he could take a picture of us, but then he had to take one with my camera as well. haha 

Here are a few photos from today: 

Rain gear: check!! 

The bridge we crossed to enter Arcos -- I thought this Camino was missing a few bridges!! 

A devotional to Mary outside the church; sometimes when the kilometers get long and monotonous, I pray a rosary -- it always gets me back in step and puts my soul in the right place. 

This picture just about sums up our day: yellow arrows and cobblestone streets! 

Selfies in the Camino!!

#yellowatrowjunkie #followthearrows 

We march that way!! 

Caminho de Santiago ❤️

My dinner date 😍

We forgot to take a before photo ... but this is how hungry pilgrims demolish food!! 

With the Camino sign hanging in our hostel ❤️

I forgot to take a picture of my bed for tonight .. and I'm already in it with zero intention of getting out until I have slept through the night -- take my word for it: there are pillows. 

Tomorrow there isn't supposed to be any rain!! Very good news for the soggy pilgrims. Please continue to pray for strong feet!!! 

Bom Caminho.