Monday, September 14, 2026

14 September 2026 Santiago de Compostela: A Morning Walk


I woke up a bit earlier than Leslie and went out for breakfast and a walk in the park that we discovered the day previously.  I had shorts on so I had to keep moving to stay warm.    It was a quick visit but I was able to look at the odd building we had seen and take a video.  I came away just as perplexed.


Folks suiting up for the next led of their bike tour


The entrance to the hotel, Casa Europa


It must be extra cold for these unclothed women


Brrr


I was intrigued by this structure


Granite slabs all askew


It ios big!


The inside was enpty


The sun is filtering through the trees


The pointy parts  are up high


But the safety tape has me worried!





   It has been 4 years and 101 days since we began our Migration

13 September 2026 Santiago de Compostela: Bopping Around Town

 


It was still in the 90's so we chose to take it easy again.  We walked up to a pizza place and when we were half way we were both startled by a loud resounding boom.  It was definitely an explosion. We were wondering what it might have been when boom another one scared the bejeebers out of us.  We asked our waitress at the pizza place and she did not know what it could be. We got a pizza and a burger and were eating when another boom went off.  Then we saw a man walking up with a robe slung over his shoulder and then some folks walked by carrying instruments.  About this time the waitress came back and said it was a religious holiday honoring Saint John Chrysostom. Soon the police were blocking off the street and an entire procession came by.  There  were more loud booms, which we now know to be fireworks.  There was a little band with drums and a bagpiper or two.  There was a group of six men in robes carrying a platform with a Virgin and child icon atop.  The booms continued through the afternoon and we heard them poolside.  We had leftover pizza for dinner and then took another evening walk.  This  time we explored in another direction and came upon the Natural History Museum and a fancy hotel in the center of a park.  




Pulso Burger and Pizza


A quick tasty bit


Hmmm what could  this mean?


A huge bun but a tiny burger


No complaints about the pizza


Now the police have arrived


Bring on the icons!


A banner and a band


The men in blue


Bagpiper and drummer


Heading downhill


Another bagpiper


Drum circle drummer


Back inside we got to talk with our waitress and she is from Venezuela.  Her tattoo says  "Don't kill  my vibe, bitch" 


she was cute and we enjoyed talking with her


Lots of the buildings  in this area are for the college


Goose!


A water catch basin


El Gato!


It turns out that this  is a hotel


A very odd building


It is hollow with nothing inside


The traditional food storage house


Jesus!


Natural History museum





  It has been 4 years and 100 days since we began our Migration

12 September 2026 Santiago de Compostela: A Laid Back Day

 



We looked out our window and saw that they were setting up chairs for a wedding.  Foolishly we thought that the area where they were setting up was going to be in the shade.  But when the ceremony was taking place we saw that  it was full sun.  It was hot!  Many of the attendees were standing off to the side next to the hedge, trying not to bake.  It was well into the 90's and we felt bad for the folks in suits and long dresses.  We headed out to the Pulpo Restaurant for lunch and had some fantastic octopus.  Then we came back and headed to the pool to cool off.  I was only able to bet 3/4 of my body into the water and Leslie had to stop at 1/2. The reason was the cold temperature of the pool.  It was very cold and I estimated it to be 65 degrees.  Goose bumps and hard nipples chased us out.  The reception was still going on in the area adjacent to the pool, so we were treated to a live band while we lounged poolside.  An evening walk revealled cats, birds and prickly trees



A tale of two temperatures


Hot and hotter



Gold fish in the lake



We were not the only ones to see the goldfish a gray heron came to investigate


The lunch place was pretty small


This must have  been an octopus and four of its legs were already served


Toothpicks are the traditional way to eat this dish


A pied flycatcher greeted our return


The band is playing so we can head to the pool


There is a reception going on under these unbrellas


Pool time


El Gato seen on our evening walk


A funky chimney 


Don't touch!


Rocking robin


  It has been 4 years and 99 days since we began our Migration