5+ weeks and counting

Went for a walk at lunch, and we've hardly had a summer at all, got tired from what little warmth there was. Will have a few days to acclimatize before heading out of Oporto, a 28-30km day, I think. I am alternately excited and terrified. It's funny, as I've written before, I had hardly any qualms before the first trip in 2005. I have more every time I go, still, I'm excited to see a part of the world I haven't before. I'm excited to walk a route that isn't heavily traveled (yet), though admittedly, some of my fears are based on the same thing. And I'm still trying to learn a little portuguese as well as trying to decide what to pack, since I'll be walking in September and October. I got a little cold in late September, but do I need warmer clothes? Dont' expect it to snow.

On another note, I am really looking forward to going to Padron, Galicia, where the Padron pepper was developed from seeds brought over from the Americas. It's funny, I didn't actually try them in Galicia, but farmers here, at least of the west coast of the United States, have recently been growing them. I've bought them from River Farms at the U. District Farmers' Market in Seattle, WA for the past couple of summers. Unlike what the guidebooks say about the ones in Spain, EVERY one I've tried here has been a scorcher. They remind me of Spain, so I eat them anyway. I think there is an alternate place to stay near the monastery, it increases the mileage, but maybe I'll be in shape by that time.