Popsicles
Working on a new pose.
Via Francigena #15 of 20
Altopascio to San Miniato
It’s another scorcher but we are out by 8am. We have 30km, so late afternoon sun is still my challenge. It is a luxury to forget to drink water, and one that cannot be afforded today. Standing still is actually hotter than walking. Drink.
I absolutely rolled my eyes when Sandy spent $70 on high tech umbrellas that are actually worth their weight in gold as parasols. It is now indispensable to me, right up there with ear plugs. It’s instant shade, people.
Although the heat is stifling, we still share our silly banter. After watching Sandy for awhile I asked:
“Are you limping?”
“ Yes but I wouldn’t have noticed it hurts if you hadn’t pointed it out.”
“You’re welcome.”
We employ a new food strategy. Every time we stop, which is frequent, we have something frozen to help bring our body temperature down. Lower milk fat is better so popsicles are first on the list followed by granitas and so on. Sandy achieves brain freeze, I do not.
Subconscious FM Radio station has been non-existent the last two days. Not a good sign. It means I am near capacity. It finally interjects with Beast of Burden by The Rolling Stones right as we begin our final, steep ascent into San Miniato. Of course it does and it’s such a cheap shot.
This is the part of the comino where I usually give up on the food and just go for calories, and as a friend pointed out, “nothing says I give up more than French Fries with mayo*,” which is my go-to when ketchup is included. But this giving up requires a little explaining.
After walking, on your feet, for 5-8 hours, the last thing you want to do when you arrive in a new town, is to use those same feet to wonder around seeking food. However, and I find this new-age pithy saying annoying because new-age pithy sayings are inherently annoying, but I can get more specific and say they oversimplify everything in a simplistic, annoying way, “the Camino always provides.” Well THIS time it IS supplying me with great food, which it never has done before. Go figure.
See below for photos of food along with commentary.
*Thank you Michael McSweeny.
©Theresa Elliott, All Rights Reserved
Food from a street vender. My skewer was turkey and pork. Sandy’s had chicken, bread and turkey. But the bomb was the fried polenta.
First frozen infusion. No popsicles here, just 1,000 calorie Italian versions of Starbuck Frappuccinos Sandy dubbed the “Cafe Frickin’Royal!”
2nd frozen infusion where Sandy achieves brain freeze.
See that tall thing way off yonder? That’s where we’re going.
Getting there.
Up at the top, past that tall thing way off yonder.
There we are, sitting on our own private little balcony having dinner, and you can just make out the tall thing above my head!
Appetizer of fig and hard crunchy circle things.
So this was killer. Burrata Ravioli with cherry tomatoes
And I decided it was necessary to have carpaccio of Black Angus. Sadly I was too full from the outrageous pasta and had a hard time eating this. Sooooo, had it for breakfast the next day.