Ribadiso Albergue : Day 20

Ribadiso Albergue : Day 20

Meaningful Moment

Breaking dawn over the Rio Iso, Ribadiso

Received the news today that one of my hiking buddies who suffered a major stroke shortly before I left for Spain, has made enough progress to move from the intensive care to rehabilitation home. 

I visited him twice before I left for Spain, and each visit reminded me of the fragility of life. 

Then I started remembering all the funerals I've been to in the past 12 months of people from various relationships.

It's made me think that I have not given it sufficient thought about how I want to be treated, should something like that happen to me. 

The truth is that, like the old joke goes - I want to be physically healthy, physically strong, physically capable but I leave this planet because I got hit by a bus.

Date11 Aug 2026 (Tuesday)
WeatherTemperature in the mid 80s. Pretty much sun all day.
Total All Caminos: 2450 miles
Lodging (Deb & I): Municipal Albergue de Peregrinos de Ribadiso da Baixo (room provided)
Total Lodging: € 700
Airplane(s):
Total Airplane(s) / Trvl Insrnc: $ 1000 / $ 199
Buses / Trains / Taxis & Rides (Deb & I):
Total Transportation: $ 265
Food (Deb & I): € 4 cafes con leche
€ 10 Mesón Ribadiso
Total Food: $ 856

Random Thought of the Day

9:30 a.m. Clean up all done this morning on the campus. Really got a rhythm down plus everybody left early which helps. 
Headed into town for a Cafe Con leche at the plaza. Then we're going to do some souvenir shopping.

1:00 p.m. Morning's all done. Shopping didn't work out because I couldn't find the souvenirs I wanted to buy. But we open the doors to the albergue in 1 minute.

1:45 p.m. The opening door rush is over. Now it should be stragglers most of the rest of the day. The only question is, since we don't take reservations, how many people will straggle in during the day.

5:30 p.m. Most of the the dormitory #1 is full except for the single room with four beds.

Notable memories

It's been a quiet day. Got to practice a lot of Spanish and some German, so I'm happy about that. 

Had a long talk with Jose, the hospitalero. I must say that the people here have been outstanding and super friendly. 

Coming back from the evening pastry at restaurant Mesón Ribadiso to the albergue

My time here has been such a positive experience. 
I'm glad that Deb and I took this opportunity to serve as volunteers at the albergue.

I would recommend an opportunity like this to anybody as a way to enhance their Camino and communal experience.


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