It seems from my experiences in Vilacha lately that some new pilgrims starting in Sarria need some ideas for being a good, considerate pilgrim. I was woken at 5am by two pilgrims walking through Vilacha talking loudly and the clacking of the walking sticks on the concrete path.
1. Perhaps poles are not necessary in villages in early morning when the path is easy.
2. It is considerate to lower your voice in the early morning walking through villages as many have their windows open in summer.
3. The walk between Sarria and Portomarin is one of the most scenic and beautiful sections of the Way, so please slow down and enjoy, focusing more on enjoying the journey than getting somewhere.
4. Pilgrims walk for many different reasons and that is good, but to my mind one will get the maximum from your pilgrimage by engaging all the senses. With this in mind will you really experience the way if you are wired for sound or talking on the phone for long periods? Often I see villager trying to say Hola, or buenos dias and get no response as they haven't been heard.
5. Do stop and revive at the donativo rest stop. There are maps on the table and a stamp.
6. If you wish to walk further than Portomarin and don't have time to go into the town you can go left at the roundabout after you cross the rio mino and left again at a second bridge, then you will see the arrows for the way to Gonzar.
7. It is getting very busy so you may need to ring and book in private albergues in order to relax and enjoy your walk, knowing you have a bed waiting for you.
8. There are always options to consider. For example if you are beginning to have problems with your feet or knees, one option is to lighten your load and have your bag sent on. This is quite cheap, 3-5 euros from Portomarin. The second option is if you don't want to walk all the way to Palais de Rei from Portomarin but there is no accommodation left before, walk as far as you can and then get a taxi to Palais. Taxis are about a euro a kilometre. If you can afford it and want to walk the whole way, then get a taxi back in the morning to where you stopped yesterday.
9. Do stop and smell the roses or in this case notice the wildflowers. The ones below are growing on the stone walls at the moment.
10. Lastly learn to go to the toilet in the fields as there won't be a toilet for you in small villages like Vilacha, because our septics are small holes in the rock that need to be pumped out often and cannot cope with hundreds of pilgrims. If you use toilet paper please, either burn it or carry it with you in a plastic or paper bag. I spend a couple of hours every two weeks collecting paper left by pilgrims. It is the etiquette of bush walkers that pilgrims must learn - take only photos, leave only footprints.
ENJOY YOUR PILGRIMAGE IT WILL BE A SPECIAL TIME IN YOUR LIFE ONLY IF YOU OPEN YOUR MIND AND MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR EXPERIENCES.
