Somewhere Slowly

I was sad to leave our room and our sea views, even the little balcony I didn’t really enjoy going out on because of the height and drop. It had been a gorgeous walk, with wonderful weather, in fun and fabulous company; a balm and a tonic for a stressed soul, a reminder that most people are genuinely kind and friendly and that life itself is an incredible journey if you just pay attention to the little things as well as the big picture. But now we had to go back to Santiago and get ready to re-enter reality again.

We had breakfast in the same café inside the hippie shop, and then, true to her word, Nanci lead the way to a taxi for our joint birthday treat. We were both very happy about this plan, as the three hour bus journey wouldn’t have been any fun – something, we assumed something she ate, was disagreeing with poor Nanci and we just wanted to get the transport bit over with.

The taxi driver took us to Corcubion and handed us over to his wife, who was also a taxi driver, and she drove us quickly and comfortably to Santiago. We went straight to the Pinario, where we had booked two single rooms and the Beast was waiting for us. Nanci was feeling a bit peaky and needed to lie down, so reception took pity on her and managed to find a room and check her in before time. I left my bag there and went out to buy some medicines and food and drinks for her – yogurt, said the lady in the farmacia, and green apples, and bananas, and rice cakes, and lots of water and Aquarius. After I had delivered the goodies, I checked into my own very basic room and left Nanci to rest up and sleep.

Then I went for my return ankerbier at my usual place – the Rua Bella in Rua Nova. Outside others were having a pre-wedding madness blow-out!

While Nanci stayed in and rested, I took myself for a tasty treat at Petiscos de Cardeal, and later I had a glass of albariño at Café Casino. Habits are hard to break, and why break these?

Then on my way back for a nightcap in the Rua Bella, I met a Swedish lady who was also there on her own. And as it was Saturday (I think), and everywhere was closing early because of the festival, and everyone was out in the streets, and we couldn’t get past the square for the crowds and couldn’t have a conversation over the concert, we decided that we might as well join them. So we hopped and bopped and danced with the fans, and even the Ferris wheel on the hill was blinking along with the music.

So it did feel like a celebration of sorts, even if I was on my own – and still in company. Hopefully Nanci would feel better after a good night’s sleep so we could enjoy our two days in town together before we had to say goodbye and travel home.