Through the mountain and over the river

 Yesterday I took a train from Barcelos to Caminha through the mountains instead of walking over them.  The rooster is a symbol of Portugal whose story originated in Barcelos. A Pilgrim on his way to Santiago was unjustly sentenced to die and told the judge “the cock will jump up from your dinner to prove my innocence “ The pilgrim was saved, and now it’s everywhere. 

Caminha is an old place on the corner of the Minho River and the Atlantic Ocean. Today was market day.

Train strike in Portugal today, so I took Uber, which works great here, partway to Valença.  This is the best hotel so far.  The view from my window is the border between Spain and Portugal with the bridge where I will walk tomorrow into Spain.

The hotel is in the walled city which is on a hill, shaped like a star, dating from the Iron Age and updated in the 17th century. The location protects the folks from all the bad guys from the North: Visigoths, Spaniards and anybody else. 

The scenery is amazing.  

And for all the old hippies in the audience, Valença  does not forget.