12 May 2023

Güemes to Santander 

Stage: 11

Walked: 22,47 km

Planned: 14,8 km

Steps: 30,532

I started the day with breakfast hosted by the two wonderful ladies that greeted me the day before. They were beyond caring and thoughtful with me. I had lovely food and perhaps too much coffee. The night before I helped them with a couple of customers who did not speak Spanish. In return , they hugged me, wished me a good life and sent me away with a “ración” or food (banana, sobao, apple, water, etc). What a way to start my journey.  Later down the road I met Andreas, a 51 gentleman from Munich, Germany, who shared for 12 km his story of life, his plans, fears, dreams, etc.  It was a lovely walk to the port and ferry that finally took me into the beautiful Santander. I left my backpack at the Hostel (10 out of 10 in quality) and went to see Jorge (Andreita Paba’s ex husband) whom picked me up at the hotel and drove me around to finally take me to a restaurant by his place. I met Patricia, his partner and they shared the news they were expecting a baby girl. We had a wonderful lunch (I had a salad and boquerones al ajillo). Then they took me to see Karla and Carlos, Jorge and Andrea’s son. They both hugged me like they knew me from before. When Carlos did, I genuinely felt it was Andrea hugging me. I can’t explain it. We said goodbye and Jorge took me to see Andrea’s tomb. We then headed to my hotel and I said goodbye to Jorge. I decided to buy me a poncho because the rain is getting more intense and in the forecast for the next two days.  I went back to the hotel and talked to Nori to get some recommendations for the pain in my splint.  She recommended ice which I got right away - luckily, the hostel had an ice pack in the freezer-.