What I didn’t post yesterday was that I did a face plant just outside of El Acebo. It was again on a very flat part of the path and I had no idea what caused it.
I picked myself up and carried on through several hours of a rocky treacherous descent into Molinaseca, one of the prettiest towns on the entire Camino. Here I found a pharmacy where they cleaned me up at no charge and called a cab to take me to a hospital in Ponferrada. This hospital sent me to a larger one where they called in a specialist. I now have about 12 or more stitches on the underside side of my upper lip. But no broken teeth or nose or other bones. Whew!
On the theme of “finding the divine on the Camino” the Dr’s first name was “Jesus”. He was lovely. I’m staying for a few nights in Ponferrada until I cease to look like a train wreck. I will then take a bus to Sarria, where I will consider doing the last leg of the Camino.
I can’t afford another fall like this one. I’m thinking of buying a big thick scarf and wrapping it around my face for protection. All ideas welcome. I have even considered a mouth guard. But then I couldn’t speak. God knows there is every type of dress imaginable here (except maybe stilettos) so I might not look that alien in a scarf. I’ll keep you posted. Buen Camino.
P.S. My cold continues. Maybe a scarf would work. I could say I was keeping my cough to myself.