Hola everyone,  well I am in Melide today after walking in the pouring rain from 

Palas de REI.  It was a short day for me of only about 15 kilometers. When I got 

onto Melide I ran into two German friends and we all three decided to call it quits 

and get warm and dry. Perhaps I am trying to make these last few days last or as 

the end is nearing I  am slowing down. I'm not sure, probably a mix of many things 

not unlike how my entire journey has been. I plan to be in Santiago by Saturday 

maybe before noon so I can attend the pilgrims mass, but i will definitely go to 

the pilgrims  mass on Sunday as I think they will swing the large 6 person 

needed to hoist it incense holder called the botofumeiro. In the movie The 

Way that scene was very moving and history says it was not only for the 

purification purpose that incense symbolizes but also to cover up the stench 

from all the smelly pilgrims. They didn't have many hot showers in the day. ;). 

There is room now for 1000 pilgrims at the mass so you can imagine the emotion 

and energy that is present. Today as I was leaving Palas de REI and just 

ready to begin a slight ascent onto a wooded trail I saw a bus open it's 

doors and about 30 people got out with various day packs and wooden 

walking sticks and multi colored ponchos. My first reaction was "0h no". 

And I began to slow down and avoid the rush and then I thought wait a minute, 

these folks are here for whatever experience they can have and I want to 

know what that is. So I said hola to the first person  I came along side 

and found out that it was a group from Puerto Rico that came together as 

a group and were headed to Santiago. I offered her a Buen Camino and moved 

on. I think they had a travel guide with them although if that is the case 

their guide was not very helpful in suggesting rain wear. There was a woman 

walking in the rain with cotton sweat pants a cotton sweater and no  rain 

gear.  Hypothermia waiting to happen. Eventually I saw her put on a rather 

thin poncho. I hope she is somewhere warm now. I find myself singing my 

way along the journey at times. Not always full out loud, but under my 

breath or quietly outloud or sometimes in my head. Today "I'm singin in 

the rain" was one of my tunes although I did not do my fred  Astaire /

ginger Rogers imitation. Too muddy. So tonite out to dinner with Annette 

and Hardy a German couple I met quite awhile ago. Actually Annette was 

walking alone when I first Met her and her boyfriend Hardy joined her 

about A week and a half or so ago. They've slowed down because Hardy 

has some knee issues. We Hope to get some Pulpo de Gallega the octopus 

dish with paprika that is a speciality here. I had it once about 5 days 

ago but want to compare and see if there is a difference.  I'll let you 

know  Tomorrow might find me in A Calzada or A Calle or Salceda. 

I will see what the day brings and the weather.  Love light and dry warm 

beds to you as you embrace the day. Camille in and on the Camino