Day 30: The chants of Galicia

Dear traveler, 

We're greeted by a foggy Sarria this morning.

Everything is grey and it seems like it's going to rain and my mind is stuck at the thought of the warm sleeping bag in which I might have lingered for a little while.

However, I think at what my folks always tell me, that I should start learning to love the rain and the fog and the darkness as each and every one of them are special in their own way.

I try. I really do. But it doesn't always work out.

You can't see much around and the fog is like a blanket that covered the forest and the trail today. 

The trail takes us mostly through forests today and as we enter the forests deeper and deeper, the fog dissipates. But it's always waiting for us at the outskirts.

-"Marmot, soon we'll be reaching the 100 kilometer milestone!", says Mamarmot.

-"Wasn't that back in Sarria?"

-"No, no, from Sarria we had 100 and something. Now we'll be reaching 100."

We reach it pretty soon. For me it doesn't mean something pretty special to be honest. But I see Mamarmot dancing joyfully. Grown ups and their quirks.

Other Harry Potter like trees are leading the way, but also rivers, small bridges and a lot of green.

Through the leaves of the trees, a gust of wind passes from time to time, bringing along a chant from afar. 

I'm starting to hear it clearer and clearer. I wonder what it is.

I imagine that it's the chant of the forest, a magical forest with elves that hide from our sight. I wonder if these elves are singing to us, pilgrims. Gosh what a wonderful chant!

As we move forward it seems closer and closer to us. I wonder if we'll reach the elves. I can't wait to see them!

We finally find the elves. Actually, it's only one and it's bigger than I imagined.

-"Mamarmot, what is that instrument?"

-"It's a bagpipe, marmot. It's a musical instrument specific to Celtic music. I told you that this region is filled with Celtic influences and traditions."

But Mamarmot lost me from the first sentence. The bagpipe makes such a beautiful music!

We stay for a while and we listen and then we continue our walk with the music still ringing in our ears. Until it get's lost for good under the sound of our steps, the sun starts to cast the fog away as it was awoken from its sleep by this beautiful chant.

We stop for an orange juice break and we enjoy this beautiful day.

Since we stay for a bit, let's play some cards. Of course my folks lose the game. 

The sun makes me smile. 

Of course, it can be also because I beat my folks at the game number ..um..ah, who's counting? But I really think that the sun helps a lot. 

In our way, Mamarmot shows me something green on a stone. A lizard is sunbathing, She stretches under the sun as if she wants to catch it all. 

Yes, for sure this lizard feels exactly how I feel about the sun.

In the distance we can see a town and apparently we'll be staying here today. Portomarin. Sounds like something sea related. I wonder why.

As we leave the gravel path fenced by trees on the left and right side, in front of us a huge bridge appears. Below, water and small boats. Did we reach the ocean?

Apparently here is just a big river. Ahaaa. 

We leave our backpacks and we o out to explore the town. My folks spoil themselves with some octopus, known here as pulpo. 

Spoil is a big word though. I find it absolutely disgusting. I'm happy with the potato pie and cheese. 

Across the street, a square building is visited by many people. I wonder what's in there.

We find out a bit later that it's actually a church, that was rebuilt here some years back when the valley flooded. 

-"Wait a minute. So all that water we crossed wasn't there a few years back? And instead there was a town?"

"-Yes, marmot, Here a reservoir was created and they flooded the town. And apparently they built everything just as it was before. Look, you see the numbers from the bricks of this church? They were written so they know how to put them back."

Incredible!! It's like a gigantic Lego.

In the afternoon we reunite with our friends Jose and Bill and since we don't have a kitchen we catch up in the room.

As usual, I'm taking the top bunk bed and Mamarmot next to me. 

Someone asks us to turn off the light. To be honest, it's quite late. No more stories.

But when we want to turn off the light, guess what? We cannot find the switch.

Dad tries the few switches he can find but they all turn on some other thing, they're no way turning off the light in the big rom we're sleeping in.

As no one is at the reception to help us, the night continues in a real treasure hunt with most of the people from the room. The bustle here is similar to a New Year's Eve party.

After around one hour we give up and we try sleeping with this white light in our eyes. 

My folks put a buff over my eyes and move me into the lower bed so I can get some rest. I really was sleepy.

In my mind a bagpipe chant is echoing, that takes me through enchanted forests, then across seas towards faraway islands, over mountains and valleys. The forest is calling me and the chants of Galicia are still echoing as I slip into the world of slumber.