Doug and Dave walk the Camino de Santiago
Day 8, Thursday, April 19, 2007
Triacastela -to- Samos
Distance travelled today: 11.7 km, 7.3 mi 
Total distance walked: 139.5 km, 86.7 mi Distance to Santiago: 131.5 km, 81.7 mi
[Photos courtesy of Krisztina Galambosi, pilgrim and friend]
We're not sure exactly where Krisz took these photos when she started early one
morning, but they sure capture a bit of the Camino experience.
Shortly after leaving Triacastela, we had to make a decision whether
to take the Camino on the non-traditional route to Samos (an extra 6.5 km),
or to follow the traditional route along a road to Agulada via San Xil.
We choose (as Doug indicates) the Camino to Samos where we
stayed this night. We are very happy that we did select this
route as Samos and the Camino were spectacular. The hike was
only 11 km (6.8 miles), one of our shortest days!
On left, Dave hits up the Cajero Automático (ATM) in Triacastela.
On right, Dave standing on Triacastela street we are about to enter.
Beautiful scenery along the río Ouribio as we make our way into the
hamlet of San Cristobo, a lovely place with lots of livestock.
Cows going up, sheep coming down. The lady in the right photo was very
upset that Dave was taking the picture; we never did figure out why!
The río had quite a drop to it, which produced many small waterfalls.
Because of the drop in the río, we found several places where water mills
had been erected. Originally used to grind grain, as can be seen by the
grind wheels, the mills were later converted to electric power generators.
Note the old electrical distribution panel in the right photo.
Waterfall on left. On the right, notice the slate roof and how the peak
slates are cut so they interlock. Very interesting construction method.
The first view of Samos is spectacular, with the huge Monastery of Samos
dominating the scene. Samos Monastery was originally built in the 6th century
when "Saint Martin of Dumie" started the promotion of the monastic life style
in Galicia. At its inception, the monks of Samos followed the monastic rules
laid down by Saint Frutuoso and Saint Isidora, but after the 10th century
this regime was changed to that of San Benito (St. Benedict) of Nursia.
The walls still contain stonework from the 6th century!
On the way into Samos, we passed this lovely tree with a women picking
flowers underneath. The river provided many beautiful photo opportunities.
More views of the Monastery. This was a popular tourist stop for buses.
Notice the plowed fields which are probably used by the monks to grow food.
We arrived in the early afternoon, too soon for the Monastary Albergue to
open. We found a nice green, sunny spot (that's Doug by the steps) and
sat down. Doug took a nap while Dave investigated the area.
We were able to get a tour of the monastery. These photos show the large
courtyard in the middle of the monastery grounds.
The second floor walls were covered in murals depicting the life of St. Benedict.
Dave and Doug with one of the 15 resident monks who showed us his
craftmanship of a carved cane. He was intrigued by Dave's hand-carved cross
of San Domiano which Dave made of lemon wood from Phoenix, Arizona. Once capable
of housing over 200 monks, the population has dropped sharply. Dave attended
Vespers sung in the evening and saw several younger monks and postulants.
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