Tricastella

Hello! Well yesterday was a LONG and interesting day. The plan was to walk about 18k or so to O'Cebriero. After a long up hill climb we arrived and there was some confusion about the line getting into the one albergue in town. After failed attempts to communicate with a group of Italians who were none to please with us having a few people in line and the others waiting on the side the group I am now with only got 5 beds for six people. During all of this, Paolo, a 19 year old guy from Mississippi discovered that he had lost his credential which shows that he started in St. Jean. That was very demoralizing for him. He and I decided we would walk until we didn't want to walk anymore and did another 17 or so making it about a 38k day. Taking into account the elevations that we hit during both stages it felt like 43 or 44. Having made it here around 8 last night, maybe closer to 9. There were no beds in any of the Albergues so we stayed in a civic center on gym mats. At that point it didn't matter. After a quick shower and eating all of the food we had left we passed out quickly and slept in a bit as well. For us it is a rest day as the rest of our group catches up. We found beds for tonight which we will probably lay in all day to let our sore swollen feet and legs rest. Tomorrow it is on to Sarria which is the last place to start for someone who wishes to obtain a compostela showing that they completed the camino because it is the last major city more than 100k from Santiago. One thing I am noticing is that the Camino is becoming more and more commercialized the closer you get to Santiago. More "touristy" items in the stores an such. I will be getting a few things, however not until I get to Santiago because every ounce counts.