I am a Pilgrim. Despite the shower and hair dryer, I still look like one too. My Pilgrim uniform is worn out. Both t-shirts, good quality merino wool, have stood the test of time, hand washing, pack-wearing and overuse. Now they feature holes in identical places... In the middle of my back, thanks to a bra strap and at the front, where the pack clips together on the hip strap.
The shirts and the bra both meet their end in the trash bin of my room this morning. Next stop: shopping! Not going to lie to you, I was looking forward to this for quite some time.
First I perused the stores inside the old city, then I ventured to the outside, where the Santiago residents might go.
By the early afternoon the only part of my outfit left from the Camino, was my underwear. Yay me! New bra, shirt, scarf, jeans and shoes. New earrings too. Hahaha.
I felt less pilgrimy and, no big surprise, was being treated like a tourist who smells like shampoo and US dollars. Uh-huh... better service (with a smile) from waiters and store owners!
Case in point, I went back to my favorite restaurant for lunch. 3rd time in 4 days. This time I got lots of smiles, quick service and generous explanations of menu items - in English! At the end of the meal I was served coffee and cake (normal) then treated to chocolate olives. Of course they probably have a different name, but they were slightly sweet, coco-ish, vinegary, salty, olivey things with the faint odor of Pilgrim boots, IMHO. Not bad. Not really my cup of tea though - and I'm almost partial to Pilgrim boots at this point.
Don't get me wrong., I'm grateful for the fantastic meal and service. Just noticing that either the waiter had LOTS of compassion for my "solo" status, or the pearl earrings and fancy-pants shoes, warranted the extra attention.
Check out the dinner:
The shirts and the bra both meet their end in the trash bin of my room this morning. Next stop: shopping! Not going to lie to you, I was looking forward to this for quite some time.
First I perused the stores inside the old city, then I ventured to the outside, where the Santiago residents might go.
By the early afternoon the only part of my outfit left from the Camino, was my underwear. Yay me! New bra, shirt, scarf, jeans and shoes. New earrings too. Hahaha.
I felt less pilgrimy and, no big surprise, was being treated like a tourist who smells like shampoo and US dollars. Uh-huh... better service (with a smile) from waiters and store owners!
Case in point, I went back to my favorite restaurant for lunch. 3rd time in 4 days. This time I got lots of smiles, quick service and generous explanations of menu items - in English! At the end of the meal I was served coffee and cake (normal) then treated to chocolate olives. Of course they probably have a different name, but they were slightly sweet, coco-ish, vinegary, salty, olivey things with the faint odor of Pilgrim boots, IMHO. Not bad. Not really my cup of tea though - and I'm almost partial to Pilgrim boots at this point.
Don't get me wrong., I'm grateful for the fantastic meal and service. Just noticing that either the waiter had LOTS of compassion for my "solo" status, or the pearl earrings and fancy-pants shoes, warranted the extra attention.
Check out the dinner:
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