The boys sit overlooking the main square.
As you enter the square you hear bagpipes playing and see a mass of people reclining on their bags – recovering from a long journey.
While Grandpa, Hank, and Tom went to mass, the boys, Jorge, Mario, and I went off in pursuit of Tarta de Santiago (an almond cake, tradition for the region but Jorge says most are made outside of Santiago). Then we had some of Mario’s homemade sideria while we waited for the men to emerge from mass.
Lunch today would be the last with Jorge and Mario. I tried to push away the dread of having to say goodbye so I could enjoy this meal. We had: clams, scallops (served in the shell), pimentos (green grilled/deep fried peppers), pinchos, pork, steak with cheese sauce – all the share.
After lunch we said our goodbyes and I found it very difficult. I felt a huge emptiness rush in and I felt very small and exposed in the large Praza do Onradoiro. As they walked out of the plaza, I saw Mario remove his sunglasses to wipe his eyes and Jorge put his arm around Mario’s shoulders and then they disappeared in the crowd. It was overwhelmingly touching.
