Maps, cell phones, etc

[Richard Ferguson]

I am now in Astorga, only 270 km to go.

I got many miles off route on the first day outside
Leon.  Unfortunately, I took seriously the suggestion
that I did not need a map, so when I got off route, I
had no frame of reference, and followed the wrong road.
I finally found a bar, where I got a tourist map, not
great, but helpful when you get to a road intersection
or see a sign, or to identify roads

For what it was worth, I asked directions many times
that day, and 100% of the directions that I got were
correct.  Stop and ask directions, even if it is not
your custom.

When I got to Puente de Orbigo, I was wiped out, and the
local priest literally pulled me in off the street to
the parish refugio.  I was first pilgrim in the refugio
for the season!  Gracias a Dios!

Someone asked about cell phones,  I suggest that you
just buy a prepaid cell phone while you are here,
probably less than 100 euros. Pay cash. You can throw it
away at the end of the trip, or give it to someone.
Note that the cheap cellphones are subsidized and are
<locked> to one service provider.  An unlocked
<liberado> phone costs 150 dollars or more, plus prepaid
service, but then you can take it to any other european
country later on and buy some more service for 40
dollars or so, probably with a new phone number.  I may
buy a phone here if I get a good deal.  Maybe you could
cut a deal with a pilgrim to have him buy a phone, and
you buy it from him when he returns to the USA.  I
noticed the refugio had a row of plugs next to a table,
probably for charging cell phones.

I have been unable to find the recommended Eurocity
phone cards.  I used a Telephonica card for a short call
to the USA, and it was less than a euro, but I am unsure
of the real rate.

I am still getting used to the Spanish spoken here,
rather than Mexico.  Hola seems the most common greeting.

It has been hot and fine so far.

Richard