Although my knee wanted a rest, I did not want to stay in one of the many albergue for a whole day.
There was a pull forward, a stream, in which I was swimming like all the other pilgrims.
Also, the place I stayed overnight was unpleasant and I was happy that I could leave it in the morning.
In general, the villages I passed were nice and well kept. However, often the path was on the street.
Another pair of shoes left on the way
Oak forest overgrown with evergreens
An interesting installation
With the masses of pilgrims, also the sayings, symbols and messages for other pilgrims increased. In one tunnel underneath a highway, many pilgrims wrote down their thoughts. One message, written in big letters was – ”Now what?”
A message I could not read
Many crosses on the airport fence
Before reaching the hill of Monte do Gozo, I passed the village of Labacolla. At the intersection of two creeks, the medieval pilgrims washed themselves before walking into Santiago.
I decided not to rush to Santiago this day (I could not rush anyway) but to stay, like the pilgrims of the past, on Monte do Gozo, the mountain of Joy.
The place I stayed had 25 buildings with 3000 beds. However, the sleeping rooms had only 5 beds and were clean. I also could wash my clothes and dry them in the sun, since I arrived early enough in the day.
Modern religious sculpture on Monte do Gozo with a group of bikers in front of it
Statues of pilgrims greeting Santiago