Melide (Zero Day)

Stayed in bed most of yesterday afternoon and had hoped to just watch something on Netflix to pass the time but the WiFi at the pension and the cell phone service were both weak and I wasn’t able to connect. I wasn’t feeling well when I went to sleep and figured I would probably stay another day in the hopes of getting better, but I didn’t want to stay at the pension again without WiFi, so I reserved a hotel for the next day that was two blocks away that had WiFi.

When I woke up I was glad that I had reserved the hotel because I wasn’t feeling better. I was anxious to get to the hotel and showed up there around nine. A little early and was told the room wouldn’t be ready until noon. Also, the only room available was on the third floor and there is no elevator. The way I was feeling the thought of walking up and down three stories wasn’t exciting. Then, I was told that the room did not have a typical window to look out, but a small one about six to seven feet off of the floor. Sounded like a prison to me and not where I would want to spend the day and I scrambled to find another place.

I considered waking to the next town with lodging, but that was about nine to ten miles away and I didn’t think I had the energy to go that far. There was one hotel on the outskirts of Melide, Hotel Sony, that I had considered yesterday but I didn’t want to walk anywhere to eat.

Having no real choice I called the Sony, reserved a room, and then walked over there. Funny, but the first thing they always ask at the places on the Camino is, “do you have a reservation?” I sometimes think that even though they have vacancies they don’t treat you the same if you say no. If you say yes, I have a reservation, you become an honored guest. Yes, even if you made the reservation twenty minutes before you get there!

The hotel actually surprised me as the room was much bigger and nicer, and even has an enclosed glass deck. WiFi still stinks, but my cell service is better here and I can watch Netflix.

The hotel and restaurant is family owned and run, and the owners have been exceptionally nice. I had dinner here tonight and I have to say it was one of the better meals I have had since being in Spain. I think the difference with the food, and even service, depends on whether the restaurant, or even the hotel, is mainly for the pilgrims or the locals. Today the restaurant was packed with locals, and the food and service was excellent, probably because it has to be because they want their customers coming back. If it was mainly a restaurant for pilgrims, they wouldn’t care because those pilgrims will probably never be back. Hey, when you are alone on the Camino, and laying sick in a bed all day, you think about those silly little things!

I was a little worried yesterday when I was feeling at my worse and I could hear rattling in my lungs, possibly the start of bronchitis. Fortunately, I had filled an antibiotic prescription (Sulfamethoxazole) that my doctor had given me to take along before I left. It was basically for a possible urinary infection or water borne illness, but it is also an antibiotic for bronchitis. I started taking them yesterday and should have started them earlier, but I generally don’t like taking them. However, under these circumstances I don’t want to take the chance and get sicker, especially in another country.

I am thinking positive that I will feel a little better tomorrow and then I’ll think about walking? I have about thirty miles to go and if I am feeling well enough I could split it into three days or two, depending how I feel? I have rested all day, and will get to sleep early, and I will see in the morning.

Best wishes,

Ted

As always, please excuse the typos, grammar, and spelling, etc., because I am writing this on my phone and don’t always review my blog. And, even if I don’t review it, it’s a good excuse for my mistakes!

Looking for my new hotel early this morning walking through the plaza

My new home for the night, Hotel Sony. Not bad for €25 per night

My room at least has a view to look at while I am in bed most of the day

The enclosed deck

Clean bathroom, but the tub!

I always love a tub to soak the aching bones, but this tubs is a little small as you can see. Perfect for a dog wash!

View from my room tonight

Looking the other way. I’d better shut my blinds tonight! Actually, I like it, it’s kind of cool