Today was cute.
I saw Nonny off after we had a late breakfast. It’s always nice when you can sleep in, especially when you’re used to the sun waking you up in a tent.
Soon, at the hostel, I met Spirit, a really, let’s say interesting, character. More on him later.
I heard word that a young girl and her mother wanted to serve hikers waffles by the local river. They wanted to do trail magic but on the neighborhood road instead of the trail. It was really cute, like a hikertrash lemonade stand, with waffles.
I had a delicious waffle there and a glass of lemonade. And then Spirit took it upon himself to proselytize to me.
You know. I’m at a point where I don’t feel it’s appropriate for someone to tell me I’m wrong for my beliefs and not being able to tell them no, they’re wrong for theirs. But in the interest of civility and safety, I held my tongue. I did tell him I wouldn’t debate him, though, and that if he approached me again all bets were off.
After a little wandering around town, I went back to the hostel. Oopa, Brandon, Spirit, and I decided to all go in together on dinner. We went to the grocery store and I planned a meal to incorporate everyone’s dietary preferences. Spirit is gluten free and Oopa is vegetarian. While shopping, Spirit watched over my shoulder for every move I made and was trying to change what I said I was going to cook. It was infuriating and exhausting. I don’t know what his deal is. Either go in or don’t, man. Trust me or don’t. But whatever, I handled him.
I made boneless skinless chicken thighs marinated in Greek yogurt with spices, rice with tomatoes, and a tomato, cucumber, and avocado salad dressed with lemon juice and spices.
Spirit offered to serve the salad. He took a noticeably larger portion for himself than he served anyone else. I’m getting concerned for him.
We started eating and the heard someone at the window.
“Excuse me, is this the hiker hostel?”
I shouted to them it was and that I’d be down in a moment. It was three women, Mel, FarOut, and the third I can’t remember her name. I helped them get settled. Two of them went off looking for dinner, and Mel had some of our extra food.
After everyone had eaten and returned, we all went to bed. Another beautiful day waiting to hear about the status of my tent pole repair.