Dinner in Hospital de Orbigo

Dinner in Hospital de Orbigo was a plato tipico. Mostly dinner starts around 8pm so along the way we snack on bocadillos, which are sandwiches with either cured ham, chorizo, or tortilla de patatas. In Hospital de Orbigo we found a cute cafe that had a “plato tipico” (typical plate) for dinner. It was smoked trout soup, or “sopa de trucha.” It consisted of a thick slice of bread soaked in tomato based broth with a chunk of smoked trout on top. It looked quite rustic when arrived at the table and the waiter deftly flipped the trout with a fork and knife and took the main spine out in about two seconds flat. L tried to do the same with her trout but it was actually a lot harder than it looked! Either way, the plato tipico was delicious and filling, and only the first course.

We stayed at a cute hostel for peregrinos (pilgrims) which had an easel with canvas in the main room and paint and brushes for any peregrinos who felt the urge to express themselves. The walls were covered in paintings by peregrinos from way back. Some were amazing, some not so much, but still a fun way to decorate.

Hospital de Orbigo also boasts the longest and oldest medieval bridge in Spain at its entrance from the camino. J told a story of a jilted lover who boosted his ego by sitting on the bridge and challenging 300 passing men to a duel, and winning. Thank god he isn’t still on that bridge or I would be cutting my walk short.