Galicia

This morning we crossed the International Bridge and just like that, we were in Spain, without any fanfare or showing of papers. We were followed by many other pilgrims, mostly wearing rain ponchos and smelling of laundry, as they had started their journey at Valença. (We don't smell of laundry..I just hope we still smell acceptable after 3 weeks of washing our clothes in the basin).

We stopped at Tui Cathedral and had our Credencial stamped (to receive a Compostela certificate we need 2 stamps a day from now on) and bought some breakfast in a small supermarket. It was raining and has rained all day.

The path was unexpectedly lovely for most of the 14 miles to O Porrinõ. We took an alternative route which followed the Louro River, across old stone bridges and through mixed woodland.

Next to a cafe I saw this beautiful horreos, used for drying crops (usually corn). We had seen wooden ones in Portugal, but here they are made of granite. Read more about them here: http://www.galiciaguide.com/Landmarks.html

We also noticed that here there is far more Camino infrastructure - the path is very well waymarked, there are more albergues and pilgrim menus in the cafes. And there are more pilgrims, all wishing eachother a "buen camino".

Now resting at our hotel before we go out to eat..I've heard that its not easy to be vegan or even vegetarian in Spain..we shall see :-)