Arzua to Lavacola - Day 29

Wake up unexpectedly, to my period, and I have nothing.  (Since my last period only ended about 9 days ago, why would I?)  Have to stay in town until a store opens, which I find isn't until after 9 am.  It's 7:15, and cold.  I walk to a bar at the edge of town, order a sandwich, and eat it super slowly for the next hour and a half.  Then walk back to the store that opened at 9 am.  Which also thankfully, has a battery recycling container outside of it, so get rid of my batteries, too.  Don't know why my camera is burning through them so fast, perhaps they last a day now.

I tour the church and get a sello before I leave town, as well.  Needless to say, it's late, almost 10 before I head out.  My plan had been that I would continue on toward Santiago if I arrived in Arca by noon...that's not happening.  Still, I have an aversion to Arca, it was a weird experience the one time I stayed there in 2005.  And I know a lot has changed, but I still don't want to stay.  And choosing not to stay, really doesn't leave a lot of options, by the guidebook. the only real option is Monte de Gozo (which is another 15 kms, or something, and where I stayed in 2007, but I walked it with Alex, which helped. And we still got there pretty late in the afternoon.  In 2009, somehow I managed to walk all the way into Santiago.)

Speaking of which, been thinking about Alex all day, since this is where I met him.  Several others continue on by-passing Arca.  Lots of forest for shade, lots of wind. So much wind.  I begin to lose my fear of the wind, it's my only company.

In the forest, there are signs for a new albergue in Lavacolla, 34 beds, which in this section, is a lot. (It's one of the longest stretches in Galicia without an albergue).  I essentially get the last bed. Miss dinner. Bloody stumps of feet.  Outside jackets and bare feet, cold.  Space heater, giant blankets, wearing all clothes, sleeping bag, blanket. Only night I don't remove clothing, or sleeping bag, or blanket.  It's a super nice albergue.

Back to everyone's normal life.

(Calzada-Calle-Salceda-A Brea-Santa Irena-Arca-San Peyo-Lavacolla; about 28.3 kms.)