Day 12 (part 2) - after the zero marker

After we took our pictures, we separated into several groups.  I wanted to look for some geocaches (a high-tech scavenger hunt), since that is a favorite hobby of my wife.  That search had me explore the area near the zero-marker more carefully than I might have otherwise.  In the end, I found   geocaches, but had some fun experiences in the process.

I walked down a flight of stone stairs towards a large tower.  It probably was used for power or communications, but it also had this interesting pillar which captures the spirit of El Camino:

Near the same place, I saw a number of people gathering for a group photo, and then one of them yelled “Alli esta el Americano” (“there is the American”).   I have no idea how they knew who I was, or why they chose me – but they figured that I was the right person to take the group picture!  It turned out that they are from Mexico City, and most of them spoke fluent English.   Perhaps they figured that a fellow North American might take a good picture.

The Mexican theme continued when a woman walked up to me an asked a question I didn’t understand.   A man nearby translated for me – she is a Mexican woman whose son will walk El Camino next year, and she thought that with my hat, poles, and beard, that I looked like the kind of pilgrim he should emulate!   Thanks, I think!

Of the two geocaches near the zero marker,  I got within a few feet of one of them, but there were so many Muggles (that is, non-geocachers) around that I could not search as carefully as I wanted.  The other seems to be reachable only by boat – or by a very brave rock climber.

The next geocache was listed as being on the highest point of the peninsula.   That meant taking a

different route back – on a higher road that occasionally disappeared.  On the way, I encountered Rose, Ron, Joe, and Peter, who were also taking the higher road (it’s a better challenge).   We found the location – my GPS said we were within 15 feet – but were unable to find it.  We did find a pair of boots  that someone had left only a few feet away, but they did not appear to be the geocache.  So we took a few pictures instead. 

We had a challenging descent down a rocky path that cannot really be called a trail.  When the rocky path ended at a real trail, I thought we should go left but Ron thought we should to right.   Conveniently a local man came by at that moment.   We looked perplexed, and he told us “el pueblo esta a la derecha” (“the town is to the right”).  Good job Ron!

As we continued down, we met a girl and dog whom I have seen every day since leaving Santiago.   The dog has a very wiry hair, and she is very friendly.   She (the dog) is now eleven years old, but as a puppy, she was very white, and is named “Neve” which means “snow” in a local dialect.  (in Spanish, “nieve”).  Here is a picture of Neve and her mommy:

 When I finally got back to the hotel, I was more tired than at any other point in the trip.  I needed a good rest before dinner.   While walking through town with others in our group, someone pointed out to me a vegetarian restaurant.  It looked good, so I left the others and walked towards it.  Both doors were locked – and a sign indicated that it had closed at 4:00 PM.   So I kept walking and shortly afterwards found a place with pizza.  I ordered one, and while I was waiting on the patio, Rhonda (our group leader) and Dave walked over.   It seems that Rhonda had told Dave that she was in the mood for pizza, so they were glad to join me, and we had an excellent dinner!