5 more days

I run into Aluis on the street, he takes me out to lunch at a fancy restaurant.  We don't speak the same language, so we try to draw pictures to communicate.  I wander all over town looking at every shop window to see if anyone possibly takes traveler's checks, as I am completely out of money.  Finally, I find a sporting goods store, and buy a pair of convertible pants, with enough change left over to buy food, and pay for lodging until the banks open again, whenever that is.  It's unclear, even to locals, whether Monday is a holiday or not.  (Once again, St. Jude saves my ass.)  On Saturday night, I run into Connie at the last procession.  He places a chocolate Easter egg in my hand.  People proceed barefoot, the procession ends at the Dominican Monastery, I wander around looking at the artifacts, the children all get Easter baskets.  I have to get back to the albergue by 10 pm (because they lock the gate), so can't go back and see any of the concerts around town.

Easter.  I find a church, same one where the Indian music concert was, where the woman was hauled off in an ambulance.  I see her, she looks worse for wear, but is mobile.  The service is somber.  I later wander over to the Cathedral and attend the mass with all the tourists, and pageantry, and camera flashes.  Find an Italian restaurant and eat the menu del dia.

There is a market on the edge of town, I wander through buying sweets, and olives.  Have someone write out my name in Arabic (and also one as a gift.)  On Monday both the post office and the banks are open again.  Can finally cash traveller's checks (without any issue, now that Easter is over, things get easier again) and pick up my gear, but the woman at the bus station doesn't flinch over the taped-together 100 euro and hands me my ticket.  Only three other people board the bus to La Coruna.  Miss saying good-bye to J, I see him with a friend, on the main plaza, but am too shy to walk over and interrupt them.  Suddenly, I am approached by a man selling cds, and while speaking to him, the sky opens up, and another deluge falls, he puts my hood over my head, and everyone runs for shelter.  By the time it's over, J is gone.