Day 9 ~ Letting go

Today is the beginning of a new journey. Dom and I are parting ways. He is going south to the town of Setubal to stay with cousins. And I am going North as originally planned. 

I slept sound all night with our balcony door open and the sound of crashing waves to calm me. 

I'm sitting on a bench at the train station in Torres Vedras waiting for a train to take me to Obidos. There is a steady, gentle rain falling, in fact more of a mist. If ever the weather matched a mood, it is today.

Dominick and I took a taxi from our Porto Novo Hotel and Spa to this town's bus station. We found a direct bus to Lisbon after questioning some locals with broken English to help us figure out which of at least a dozen buses to catch. There are no open ticket offices and it appears all transactions are made through the driver. The driver heading to Lisbon clearly didn't have his coffee yet and wasn't very friendly. Our goodbye was rushed and awkward. I didn't want to make a big deal of it and embaress him by being all emotional and worried so I played it all cool to ease his stress. On the inside I was letting go of my angel boy. He hopped aboard with the many other passengers, with his phone battery dying quickly and all of 3 portuguese words in his vocabulary, only 1 of which is not foul hahaha. I walked about 15 mins across town to the train station and saw some old monuments along the way. 

Now I'm sitting here, stressed and worried, waiting to get that message that he is where he needs to be. Safe and happy. 

He started his spa day early with a massage at 8, a breakfast buffet and a hot tub right before we left. Where the day goes from here for him remains to be seen. 

The rain is now falling hard on the tin roof of the train station and although I am grateful to be sheltered, I was enjoying the mist more. I'm wearing my gaiters to keep my feet dry and already some old guy asked me in Portuguese where my horse is... then another strange bird asked me if I want to go in his car to Caldas da Rainha. No pal... I'm at the train station because I want to take a TRAIN.... and live. Hahaha. Funny how many people will approach me now that I don't have my big body guard. 

I'm on board my train for a 40 min ride and the a 25 min walk to my new home in Obidos. The town was supposed to be a highlight of this trip for me so I hope the rain stops long enough for me to explore.

I've heard from Dominick and he has made it to Lisbon and walked farther than expected to the train station. He should be boarding his train to Setubal in about 10 mins. He is probably stressed but seems to be handling his adventure well.

We both agreed that the universe unfolds the way its meant to. Perhaps the lessons he needs to learn and the growth and enlightenment he craves will not happen for him under my protective wing. He will be safe with Fatima and have the freedom he desires.

Perhaps the lesson that I need to learn and apparently keep learning is how to let go. As long as Dom stayed with me, my focus would have been on him. Perhaps I will also now find time for reflection, clarity and my own personal growth.

I have 1 more day of planned assisted travel (the last destination on my list that is over 40kms away) 

Dom and I had some crazy hills and I'm proud of him for never giving up. I don't think he enjoyed it like I do but he tried it and he did well. He is braver than most. I'll miss his giggle and his efforts  speaking Portuguese. We will reconnect in May and spend a few days together before going home. 

For now... my journey begins again... in solitude.

Bom Caminho! 

The birds are going wild on my arrival in Obidos. It's so quiet here but the birds are singing like its the first day of spring. The train station is a very, very old house on tracks that cut straight through green fields of farmland and forests. Obidos is a medieval walled town and it's so incredible, scenic and quaint.

All the streets are cobblestone and the trees grow straight through the cement with flowers everywhere.... 

I can imagine this place with the sun shining, it must be stunning.

I walked every street then walked the entire perimetre of the castle wall. 

I found a little patio with umbrellas and sat protected from the rain. I ordered the veg soup, beef in a creamy mushroom sauce with rice and yes.... a giant glass of wine. 

I sure do miss Dominick but my dinner bill was a lot less hahaha. He did let me know he is very happy with his decision and went to a soccer game with his cousin. That warms my heart.

I've retired to my room for some quiet time and hope for a solid sleep and a very early start.

Boa noite and beijos xx