Funny how I've only just left Santiago, my feet are in need of weeks to heal and yet I'm sitting on a bus to Braga wondering which Camino to do next.
I rode the bus for an hour with my bladder suffering and disappointed in myself for not using the facilities at the bus station. I did go there but almost died from the stench and decided to hold it. That was mistake number one.
I realized after an hour that the bus has a micro sized toilet on board. I saw a man get up to use it and turn back so I foolishly assumed it was out of order. That was mistake number two. Trying to accept I would have a couple more hours of suffering, I then noticed a while later, a woman coming out. So trying to disguise my joy, I calmly went to the micro door and saw that it requires 1€ to use. I reached in my pocket and had just that. I really do have angels with me.
So here is where it gets funny. I went in (first time in a bus bathroom) and I closed the door and locked it. That was mistake number three. The light didn't come on as I expected it to. Silly me, left my phone on my seat so no flashlight. That was mistake number four. I went to open the door again to let in the light but it wouldn't open. It was pitch black and I couldn't see anything. Immediately I had a minor panic attack thinking, this is how I go. Dying of embaressment, locked in a dark, bus toilet closet. I took a moment to think and started feeling around the walls. I felt something dangling above my head and thought 'what if it's a panic button with a pull cord and the bus screeches to a halt because of me'. So I kept feeling the walls and eventually felt a wall switch and pushed it. A light came on and I felt immediately relieved. Then I saw, next to the light switch, a push button alarm that says STOP. I'm telling you.... Angels. Can you imagine if I pressed the wrong one? hahaha. I sat back down at my seat, nobody knowing the panic I just endured and within minutes my bus pulled over on the side of the highway. Our driver has not said why, he has not made any announcements and the A/C is now off. My water bottle is in the baggage holder with my backpack as are my snacks.
It's getting warm and the relentless tick tock of our hazard lights are driving me bonkers. I hope none of these people have a flight to catch.
For me, only laundry awaits me. I did get to a point however that I was considering putting on my pack and just walking away from the bus. If we weren't on the side of a highway, I would have for sure
The moral of the story is keep your phone with you at all times, always pee first before anything and take the train!! Haha.
Time lapse : 2 hours later.
We sat on the bus for 30 mins without air so there was a mutiny and a rebellion and we all left the bus to breathe.
I sat in a shady spot and was told I could not have my luggage until the new bus came. Most everyone was up in arms without water or snacks so the bus driver caved and it was a free for all.
Fortunately for me, I had some wine leftover from my Santiago celebration so I drank it roadside listening to everyone grumbling in another language. It was like watching a foreign soap opera without subtitles.
I apologize... I had several pages more written after that last sentence but started falling asleep with my thumb on the backspace button. Hahaha. I am not rewriting any of it.
To conclude my story, 2 buses showed up to rescue us eventually and I made it to the beautiful town of Braga.
It's amazing. I walked to the Historic part of town and have been to every Church and Cathedral.
I've done my laundry, picked up groceries and made my own dinner. My new neighbours even got a free concert while I was cooking and singing with my balcony door open.
I'm exhausted and hoping for a good sleep so I can walk some more tomorrow. I'm going to aim for 20kms.
That plan might change by morning.. we'll see!!
Good night my friends x
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