The Čårgåthöng™

Another handy placemat map. We started in the lower right hand corner in Santiago, and made it to Negreira. We will continue to head west to the coast and Fisterra for the next two days. Then head north to Muxia for our final walk.

Day 30, Santiago de Compostela to Negreira

I’m not sure what just happened but I think we walked 25km and I didn’t notice it. I remember leaving Santiago. Sandy and I fell into the familiar banter we have refined over numerous caminos. It’s the art of talking about nothing. Ahead we see a large modern building:

Sandy: Looks like a compound of some sort.

Me: Like Compound W?

Sandy: No. Like a compound fracture.

Me: You mean a compound fraction?

This goes on until one of us finds another trap door to fall down:

Me: Ugh. I just got a gnat in my mouth.

Sandy: that’s a Gnatwhich, it’s a regional specialty. Served on white bread.

Me: I suppose it goes well with the Afishionato? It’s a new savory Starbucks coffee that’s all the rage here in Spain.

We could have been writers for Seinfeld.

Eventually our conversation makes it back to a new fashion idea I’ve been mulling over to address a need in the pilgrim community. The Cargo Thong or Čårgåthöng goes through my head every time I see yet another set of crazy tan lines on a pilgrims legs. So unsightly! The small panty of the Čårgåthöng would eliminate those pesky tan lines left by conventional shorts, and the large cargo pockets would allow for storage of your pilgrim credential, lap top and other valuables. Available in women’s vanity sizes xxs-s, and Men’s L-XXXL. I’m probably going to offer an optional, detachable suspender for the inevitable weight loss that happens later in the Camino.

Which brings me to food. While on Camino you catch great food when you can, but a camino is not like a vacation. Eating tends to revolve around the “Pilgrim Menu” that is offered everywhere along the trail. It’s usually cheap (10 euro), three courses (primo, seconda, dessert) full of carbs and very filling. In an interesting twist, house wine or water is free. Beer is extra.

I’m tired of eating. The highly repetitious nature of the pilgrim menu combined with less than successful off-menu ordering and I’m actually losing my appetite. I ordered a sandwich billed as a “Frank Furter” at a small bar. Sounds German enough. I got 5 Oscar Mayer hotdogs cut in half lengthwise on a massive baguette style bun, dry. What was I thinking? I’m at the point where beer and nuts is fine for dinner.

See below for photos and descriptions.

©Theresa Elliott, All Rights Reserved

Off to Fisterra! Only 89.5km to go.

The Compound.

Good bye to Santiago, you wild thing.

The coastal countryside is immediately different than the lead up to Santiago.

Standard pilgrim fare. Tortilla with bread, or, carbs and carbs.

My ace-in-the-hole daughter Mal Elliott Dizon located the cute jumper I kept seeing. She found it on-line and sent me the link to the store, Stradivarius, which is like a Spanish Zara. Oh wait, Zara is Spanish and they were a block apart in Santiago. I even found the jumper in my size. Alas, it just didn’t work. So I bought a different one.

Just above the hem of these shorts lie unslightly tan lines. Prime candidates for the Čårgåthöng!

Wondering around trying to find our hotel. Not pretty, but it had a surprise. See next post.