Valencia to Algemesi- First Day Done!

Ring, Ring . . . The door opened and the smiling helpful lady who runs the tourist office- and the albergue - welcomed me. I had made it. I was open to the Camino again. I was tired and achy, and happy to arrive.

It had been a long day. The streets were deserted when I stepped out in the predawn from the hostel..

Breakfast was a walk-by jamon and queso toasty, plus an orange and banana - and lots of water that I had had earlier.

Soon  I was at The Apostles Door of the Cathedral- the official start of the Camino de Levante. 

The bustle of morning peak hour surrounded me as Camino signage guided me. Believe me there were people around.

These plaques in the pavement are from the Friends of the Camino of València, and their Friends in America - Thank you! I felt welcomed on the way.

The main street out of town was commemorated to St Vincent the Martyr. It was long and relatively direct. I was grateful for his helping hand once again..

Then it was through the industrial zone for a while.

It wasn’t long before I got lost. I was spinning my phone around trying to find the way out of this village square when a voice calls ‘Camino de Levante?’ ‘Si’ I reply - and a man came across to me and pointed in the direction I should go. We introduced ourselves and I shook Jose’s hand and was on my way.

Even though so far the signs have been clear, I became a little perplexed by this one??

It felt good to be walking into the Camino once more.

And see the open sky

And watch the landscape transition - from this . . . 

To this . . . 

I was surrounded by orange trees and other crops - for hours.  Occasionally I came across locals tending the orchards and crops. This man digging potatoes ‘speaks a language that the stranger (me) does not know’. I thought I was in Galway Bay for a moment? 

The road went on - and  on - like the afternoon.
Eventually I landed here.

I rang the bell (as instructed yesterday at the Tourist Office in Valencia). I was greeted warmly, checked in, given keys and shown the hostel down the street- which is ‘all mine’ for tonight. I am the solo peregrino!

This is a ‘donativo’ hostel, where you pay what you think is fair and can afford- not as many as there used to be. 

I’ll sleep well - I think I already am!