After staying up until 2:30 at the festival and getting up at 7:30, I was tired and dragging. I lost my voice from coughing and wasn’t feeling very enthusiastic while waiting in long line for my first coffee today. I struck up a conversation with some people behind me to pass the time and asked them if they were old enough to play my game. But it turns out they were 22 and had just graduated from college. I asked them where and they said William and Mary! I bought them breakfast and visited with them to talk about what they had been doing in school and what they were looking forward to doing after graduation. They had such interesting reflections and projects. It was really fun to trade observations about how bad the showers are in Dupont Hall halfway across the world with people, half my age. Here they are:
In the middle of a long stretch of Camino, there was this oasis of snacks and treats. It was incredible. All donation based.
I walked with several other nice people today, including Alex, the construction worker/hypnotherapist from England and his girlfriend Alicia. I ended the day with Tori the American who lives in Australia.
Later in the day, I found cough drops in a sweets shop, and I yelped (hoarsely) with glee.
For me, 27 was when I first started international solo travel. Since I had a 9 month job with summers off, I went to an immersion program in the south of France and lived with a family. It was definitely a formative experience. That was also the year of 9/11, so I reflected a bit on that.
I have a little rest coming now as I’m in Astorga for three nights while Sarah comes and gets settled. I’m excited to see her!
On Friday I met my neighbors’ daughter who just graduated from w&m!
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