Santarém - Golegã

getting easier.
Arriving into town this look was different. I stopped at a cafe to sit outside and find directions to my hotel. There were retirees and guys getting off work hanging out. I was interested in this place across the road where a dude was breaking in a horse. This looked like a place where they might let you ride. Since a horse doesn’t have a clutch to disengage I thought I should proceed up the remaining hills to my hotel. I have been booking 1 day in advance most days and not going for less expensive first come first serve Albergues. When staying at smaller hotels that are more like a bed and breakfast the manager sometimes spends 20 or 30 minutes chatting and showing off what their town has to offer. I will often get an email asking me what time will I be checking in which is a tough question when I am not driving 70 mph and getting derailed a few miles of extra walking.

When I found the hotel I rung the bell and Francisco knew my name. He apologized a few times about his English, but I am always amazed at how good it is. My Portuguese is a few pantomimes. It has been embarrassing when I have had to pantomime in Pharmacies in other countries.

Francisco first told me that Golega is famous for horses and there is a big horse festival every year. He kept telling me more about the town but I really wanted to get to my room and get cleaned up. There was a turn table with some records including American, but I think it was for decoration. He asked about my checkout time because nobody is there to supervise. I don’t like making checkin or checkout time estimates. I think I told him 7:30 or 8:00. He pulled up in his car just after I figured out how to lock the front door and found a mail slot for the keys. He pointed to a cafe for breakfast and walked me to it. I waited for 20- 30 minutes and it never opened. He later texted me to apologize because he called the owner who told him they were opening at 8:30 that day.