Sausages and tampons

 Today I went to Sausage and got tampons. Ok, I know, I know WTF? Actually I'm in a town called Saugues which is pronounced "Sōg" but every time I saw it on the sign I kept thinking I'm going to Sausage. I got two tampons today which is French for stamps which are placed in your credential to prove you are actually doing the Camino for the certificate of completion in Santiago. 

It was a very tough day going from Saint Privat to Saugues and I'm really glad to be here and not attempt two stages. There is a ravine about 1800 feet down and more up than that on the other side. The trail was incredibly rough, steep and large rocks in the path; impossible to ride, I ended up stumbling down hill for many parts and pushing up hill for maybe an hour each. Along the way there were two small old chapels that I visited and the second one had Robert there dressed in traditional pilgrim garb. Robert gave me a stamp to my credential and a tiny medallion which he placed in my hand holding onto it. Seems Robert has completed the Camino 20 times in the past and takes seriously the journey. 

I had a couple connections with people today. One a older French guy I passed on my bike downhill where it was rideable. He made some comment about it being easy on a bike. We stopped at the first chapel where there was a farmhouse which had another sheep dog. The dog kept charging me and my bike, nipping at my tires while I was walking. Then he finally went off and I climbed up to the chapel where there were two donkeys who started braying at me. The French guy dryly said "it looks like your success with animals continues". Later he passed me on the trail while I was stumbling down this steep, rocky trail walking my bike and I said "it's not so easy" we probably passed each other 5 times today and when I passed him on a flat, rideable section I said it easy and when he passed me on a difficult, rocky up or down I said "it's not easy". Long story short, I passed him for the final time on a flat section coming into town and rang my bell to say hi to him and he gave me the "Thumbs Up". It was kinda sweet. 

I have a nice room tonight in Saugues at Chez Lili and looking forward to dinner.

https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&hl=en-us&ei=SWZYV5jSOcmejwOSs4LYBg&q=fetes&btnG=#hl=en-us&q=saugues+chez+lili

I also met a 26 yr old German guy who I said hello to on the trail and we later had a beer in town. He just finished his training as a physical therapist and is doing the Camino before starting his practice. He also did it two years ago when he lost his dad to heart attack at age 58. He is camping along the Camino and went on to find someplace to camp outside of town. 

Camino kind of day. People, Place and challenges to both, amazement to both. 

Buen Camino

[]ave