Day 4 - From Arzua to Arca / Pedrouzo

Last nite I dreamed that my mom went for Camino and I accompanied her on the first day. Such a weird dream. I couldn't 'see' the view clearly in my dream, but the amazement was still there even when I was dreaming.

We left at 4.30am from Arzua. Our destination has two names, either Arca or Pedrouzo. Our journey that day was only 20km, but my legs were terribly aching from previous day. Oh, I haven't told you something. Since the second day of walking, I always hung my legs upside down until I fell asleep. I've been using this method since I was young to relief my aching. It worked! But the ache was just too much from the third day so the pain came back after awhile.

I love clear sky!!

Evening Mass =)

Look at the shell. In the past, someone can be given a penance of "walking the Way of St James" and they needed to bring the shell from Galitia as a proof. As people started selling the shells, they changed the proofs to stamp. (of course now the priests don't give heavy penance to walk the Way of St James anymore)

"Enter, we have been waiting for you". What a call for us the pilgrims

We arrived at 2pm (on time! Yeay!). We tried pulpo (octopus!), special local delicacies. Conchita, our guide, also told us a loooong and interesting story about the Way of St. James. (Sorry Conchita, I fell asleep a bit halfway; duh!). Interestingly, we found out that she has been dedicating all her walk for other people. This is her 49th time walking the 5-day the Way of St. James. Instead of writing her own name on the certificate after she completed the walk, she dedicated her pilgrimage to various people, such as the Holy Father, the old lady that we visited on the third day, her parents, and so on and so forth.

The highlight of that day was the most beautiful and homey accommodation we had: Pension Arca!! (Somehow I couldn't find the photos! Argh!) Each bedroom was occupied by only 2-3 people and with attached bathroom. We also had common kitchen and pantry. We bought groceries and had our dinner at 'home'. Qian cooked her chestnut and some of us enjoyed our beloved cup noodle.

And of course.. a very clear sky and perfect sunset make a good silhouette jump shoot! =)

me and my singing buddy!

Thank you Lili for taking my jumpshots with your frame-by-frame phone camera

Unfortunately, we needed to leave at 4.30am the next day to catch Pilgrim Mass at 12noon at Santiago. Bye bye Pension Arca!! <3 br="">