Wednesday, April 5, 2017
Sunday, April 2, 2017
Thursday, October 16, 2014
Going Home: October 14, 2014
Going Home: October 14, 2014
Last night we checked into a hotel near the airport. Jill a fellow pilgrim has been with us for the past few days, After taking a long hot bath and all of us having dinner together she caught a shuttle to the airport. Her flight leaves at 6:30 in the morning and she was nervous about missing it. This was our last good bye to one of our Camino friends.
This little motel room with 2 twin beds, shower/bath and flat screen TV is the most luxury we have had since leaving Burgos, 3 weeks ago. We are marveling at having our own bath, sheets, blankets, outlets and lights over our beds. The woman at the desk arranged the shuttle to the airport. It feels heavenly.
We are now on the plane home with movies, videos, music, food, drinks and service. I am watching a movie and suddenly overwhelmed with all that we have at our disposal all the time. Very soon I will be back with the responsibility for taking care of all that we have. Soon I will be bombarded with emails, phone calls and other electronics. And I wonder, is this what I want?
For the past 6 weeks I have gotten along with carrying all my belongings on my back. My feet have told me when it is too much. My riches have come in the form of beautiful landscapes, awesome cathedrals, experiencing the local wines and foods and most of all the people.
It was so hard those first few weeks to give up familiar enjoyable food, time alone, privacy, family, work and friends. Now I wonder, what do I need, what do I want? What is enough?
My conversation with others on the Camino always led back to a few central themes.
1. We all are more alike then we are different.
2. God provides. Trust
3. Lay your burdens down. Don't pick them up again.
4. Be present and support others. But remember everyone has their own Camino. Don't pick up more burdens then I can carry.
4. Life is short, don't waste it.
5. Share your life, that is where it is richest.
6. Walk together.
7. We are not alone. Trust!
Other themes that carried me through the long days of hiking came from my past year focusing on living deeply, loving boldly, and laughing often.
1. Take the next right step.
2. Dream big dreams
4. Draw the circle wide.
5. Celebrate: "Very good, very good. Yea!"
And finally I have learned some lessons about my own body.
1. First take time to take care of it.
2. It is more capable then I imagine.
4. Do hard things.
5. Get rid of the burdens I put on it that include: not enough rest, too much weight, and poor diet.
6. Finally, like my grandson told me, "Be strong Gramma!"
I am sure as the days go by I will continue to digest and process all that happened over the course of this pilgrimage. And in the midst of this process I will continue to "walk-on", praying for those who cannot and expecting miracles.
Last night we checked into a hotel near the airport. Jill a fellow pilgrim has been with us for the past few days, After taking a long hot bath and all of us having dinner together she caught a shuttle to the airport. Her flight leaves at 6:30 in the morning and she was nervous about missing it. This was our last good bye to one of our Camino friends.
This little motel room with 2 twin beds, shower/bath and flat screen TV is the most luxury we have had since leaving Burgos, 3 weeks ago. We are marveling at having our own bath, sheets, blankets, outlets and lights over our beds. The woman at the desk arranged the shuttle to the airport. It feels heavenly.
We are now on the plane home with movies, videos, music, food, drinks and service. I am watching a movie and suddenly overwhelmed with all that we have at our disposal all the time. Very soon I will be back with the responsibility for taking care of all that we have. Soon I will be bombarded with emails, phone calls and other electronics. And I wonder, is this what I want?
For the past 6 weeks I have gotten along with carrying all my belongings on my back. My feet have told me when it is too much. My riches have come in the form of beautiful landscapes, awesome cathedrals, experiencing the local wines and foods and most of all the people.
It was so hard those first few weeks to give up familiar enjoyable food, time alone, privacy, family, work and friends. Now I wonder, what do I need, what do I want? What is enough?
My conversation with others on the Camino always led back to a few central themes.
1. We all are more alike then we are different.
2. God provides. Trust
3. Lay your burdens down. Don't pick them up again.
4. Be present and support others. But remember everyone has their own Camino. Don't pick up more burdens then I can carry.
4. Life is short, don't waste it.
5. Share your life, that is where it is richest.
6. Walk together.
7. We are not alone. Trust!
Other themes that carried me through the long days of hiking came from my past year focusing on living deeply, loving boldly, and laughing often.
1. Take the next right step.
2. Dream big dreams
4. Draw the circle wide.
5. Celebrate: "Very good, very good. Yea!"
And finally I have learned some lessons about my own body.
1. First take time to take care of it.
2. It is more capable then I imagine.
4. Do hard things.
5. Get rid of the burdens I put on it that include: not enough rest, too much weight, and poor diet.
6. Finally, like my grandson told me, "Be strong Gramma!"
I am sure as the days go by I will continue to digest and process all that happened over the course of this pilgrimage. And in the midst of this process I will continue to "walk-on", praying for those who cannot and expecting miracles.
Thursday, October 9, 2014
Finistere: October 8, 2014: Day 40
Finistere: October 8, 2014: Day 40
Today we walked to the End of the Earth, Finistere. This has been a final destination for pilgrims for more than a thousand years. Even before Christian pilgrims, Druid worshipers came here. It is the most western and southern tip of the peninsula.
My new friends and I had breakfast and waited for the rain to let up before beginning our final walk. The day is overcast and the sounds and smell of the sea provide a deep sense of peace.
As we walk Larry and I talk about faith. He shared with me an Irish author, Alice Taylor, that has a profound impact on his life and his work as a hospice Chaplin.
While it keeps threatening rain we arrive at the cross with only a sprinkling. We are at the tip of the peninsula. We can see the ocean all around us. Jill is the first to climb the rocks at bottom of the cross. She kneels before the cross, wraps her arms around it and rests her head. This is the moment she has been waiting for. Her partner has been gone 2 years. She has been unable to heal. Along the Camino she has felt his presence. Today she lays her final burdens down.
I climb the rocks wrap my arms around it and look out into the ocean. All is gray. It is difficult to see where the ocean ends and the sky begins. This is indeed where heaven touches earth. The Celts call it thin spaces. I have the feeling that I am a part of something much bigger then myself. I offer my prayers. Climbing down I sit on a rock for a time in quite contemplation.
After a while it is time for the final act of my journey. I have carried a prayer list with me. It is tradition to burn your burdens at the very tip on the rocks. I will burn my prayer list as the final act of offering all my hopes for healing.
At the tip of the peninsula is a lighthouse. I smile looking at it. Doug and I love lighthouses. In Oregon and California we have traveled to each lighthouse, camping along the way, over several summers. It seems right to have the lighthouse here. My prayers are for light in the darkness, healing and renewal.
The path is steep and rocky . There are people at different places on the path burning items or just sitting on the large rocks looking out at the sea.
I find a large stone, I imagine as an altar. I take my list out of my pocket and place a small stone on it so it does not blow away. I take out the matchbook Larry has given me. The wind is strong. Each time I try to light the match it goes out. Unexpectedly there is a man, Dave, behind me and offers help. We try to block the wind but it is too strong. Dave spies a cap and grabs it. We both kneel down and use our bodies as a wind guard. The small piece of paper finally lights and turns to ashes. I lift the cap turn it over on the stone altar and then the wind comes up and carries the ashes into the air. I give thanks to God for hearing my prayers and acknowledge that God is doing better things than I can ask for or imagine.
Before climbing back up the hill I turn to thank Dave again. We take pictures and he tells me his friend Pat from Boise is at the top of the hill. Later walking back to Finesterre I meet 2 others from Boise headed out to the Point. We all smile at the odds of this happening. The woman said to me Boise rules today. :)
I walked to the end of the earth to ask for healing today. The Pilgrimage is now done. Amen
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Santiago de Compostella: October 6, 2014, Day 38
Santiago de Compostella: October 6, 2014, Day 38
Wow we have arrived! It is such a mix of emotions. Joy though is the most prevalent feeling. I feel so happy.
This morning we woke up in our albergay rooms in the Monestary. This is the 1st night without snoring and all assortment of noise in 37 days. We all have rooms right next to each other and we all share the same toilets and showers but we have just a wee bit of luxury with some privacy, a closet, sink and an outlet to charge our phones. A few weeks ago I felt deprived not having these things. Now it feels like a luxury.
Walking up the steps to the Cathedral was thrilling. It was wonderful to see all the pilgrims arriving. It is so unifying to know that we have all shared in this experience along with hundreds of thousand who traveled before us. This is holy ground.
The church was full, we had to search for a seat. But the beauty was that as we were looking for a seat we saw so many people we had walked with along the way. We greeted each other with big smiles and hand shakes. We made it!
Just after sitting down Angie looked up and said there is Ursula from Germany. We thought we would never see each other again. She came and sat with us. We were so happy.
I sat in the service that is all in Spanish and thought even though I don't know the words I can feel the presence of all the people. Everyone was very quiet but there was a deep sense of gratitude and reverence. We have all come so far but not without each other and the Spirit of the Camino.
While on the Camino whenever we had a need it was provided. While sitting in the pew with all the others I felt a deep sense that God is always there always providing, but it was on the Camino that it was made visible to me day after day. Sitting here I feel bathed in love and care. God is indeed with us.
After the service we went to the Crypt to see the casket with the remains of St. James. I lit a candle and prayed for the healing of Doug, Tom, Emily, Gay, Jen, Carolyn, Ron, and Diane and all who have auto- immune diseases and all who cannot walk. I walked for them and with them.
After mass our whole group decided to meet for dinner to celebrate. Our group included Canadians, Irish, Indian, German and the States. The symbol for St. James is the clam. One meaning of the clam is many paths, one God. We all agreed the Camino teaches us that we are indeed all one.
Lesson Learned: Though we are many we are one and we are never alone.
Wow we have arrived! It is such a mix of emotions. Joy though is the most prevalent feeling. I feel so happy.
This morning we woke up in our albergay rooms in the Monestary. This is the 1st night without snoring and all assortment of noise in 37 days. We all have rooms right next to each other and we all share the same toilets and showers but we have just a wee bit of luxury with some privacy, a closet, sink and an outlet to charge our phones. A few weeks ago I felt deprived not having these things. Now it feels like a luxury.
Walking up the steps to the Cathedral was thrilling. It was wonderful to see all the pilgrims arriving. It is so unifying to know that we have all shared in this experience along with hundreds of thousand who traveled before us. This is holy ground.
The church was full, we had to search for a seat. But the beauty was that as we were looking for a seat we saw so many people we had walked with along the way. We greeted each other with big smiles and hand shakes. We made it!
Just after sitting down Angie looked up and said there is Ursula from Germany. We thought we would never see each other again. She came and sat with us. We were so happy.
I sat in the service that is all in Spanish and thought even though I don't know the words I can feel the presence of all the people. Everyone was very quiet but there was a deep sense of gratitude and reverence. We have all come so far but not without each other and the Spirit of the Camino.
While on the Camino whenever we had a need it was provided. While sitting in the pew with all the others I felt a deep sense that God is always there always providing, but it was on the Camino that it was made visible to me day after day. Sitting here I feel bathed in love and care. God is indeed with us.
After the service we went to the Crypt to see the casket with the remains of St. James. I lit a candle and prayed for the healing of Doug, Tom, Emily, Gay, Jen, Carolyn, Ron, and Diane and all who have auto- immune diseases and all who cannot walk. I walked for them and with them.
After mass our whole group decided to meet for dinner to celebrate. Our group included Canadians, Irish, Indian, German and the States. The symbol for St. James is the clam. One meaning of the clam is many paths, one God. We all agreed the Camino teaches us that we are indeed all one.
Lesson Learned: Though we are many we are one and we are never alone.
Santiago to Finistere: October 8, 2014: Day 39
Santiago to Finistere: October 8, 2014: Day 39
Today we went to the kitchen in the Monestary to have a bowl of porridge (oatmeal) with Hubert before he leaves. I have always loved Ireland with both my grandfathers having been Irish. It has been such a joy to be with Hubert, to listen to all his Irish expressions and to hear his stories. I can hardly wait to go back and tell my grand kids about the fairies.
We also said goodbye to Ursela and Jergen. Ursela and I formed a special attachment since the moment we met. I would love to go to Germany and see them.
It is the time for good byes. We knew this time would come. They have all brought such joy to me. They will all have a special place in my heart. But today there is sadness in letting them go.
The minute we walked out the Monestary it began raining. Hubert and I needed to go to the Pilgrim's office to get our Compostelo. We walked with Myles and Don to their hotel the Monestary Minor where Angie and I will move to on the 8th. Hubert had to tell them good bye or rather see you later. Then we went to get our Compostela. We only had to wait about 20 minutes in line in the rain. :) It was wonderful and rewarding to get the certificate.
We then met Angie, Ursula and Jergan for coffee and goodbyes or better yet see you later. Then Hubert graciously said he would go with me to find the autobus station so that I could go to Finistere, the end of the world. He needed to be at the airport at 4:00. It took us 30 minutes of walking at a fast pace to make it just in the nick of time. I could not have found it without his help. Walking into the Autobus Stationhe saw an American woman he had met who was going to Finistere. He said stay with her. I think he was worried about me. We said a quick good bye. I will miss him and his Irish stories.
It turns out Jill the American woman is going home on October 14th from Madrid. She is very nervous because her traveling companions are going on to Germany. I invited her to join Angie and I for the rest of the trip.
Two years ago Jill's partner was tragically killed in an accident. She made this pilgrimage to help her heal. After a three hour bus ride we arrived in Finistere. Her friends Anne, Larry, and Jill and I had a woman approach us on the street about a room on her her house. We checked it out and it is a good deal for 10 euro. Jill and I are sharing a room. There are only 4 of us and 1 bathroom. Yea!
We went to dinner and took a walk on the boardwalk. They are all from Michigan and great companions. Anne is a recently retired elementary teacher and Larry is a hospice worker.
I am glad I made the trip to the ocean and equally glad to have more new friends. Tomorrow I will carry my prayers to the end of the earth for the people I love.
Lesson Learned: Instead of wrapping yourself in problems, wrap yourself in the joy of the moment and the anticipation of the good things to come just around the next corner. There are always grand things yet to come.
Today we went to the kitchen in the Monestary to have a bowl of porridge (oatmeal) with Hubert before he leaves. I have always loved Ireland with both my grandfathers having been Irish. It has been such a joy to be with Hubert, to listen to all his Irish expressions and to hear his stories. I can hardly wait to go back and tell my grand kids about the fairies.
We also said goodbye to Ursela and Jergen. Ursela and I formed a special attachment since the moment we met. I would love to go to Germany and see them.
It is the time for good byes. We knew this time would come. They have all brought such joy to me. They will all have a special place in my heart. But today there is sadness in letting them go.
The minute we walked out the Monestary it began raining. Hubert and I needed to go to the Pilgrim's office to get our Compostelo. We walked with Myles and Don to their hotel the Monestary Minor where Angie and I will move to on the 8th. Hubert had to tell them good bye or rather see you later. Then we went to get our Compostela. We only had to wait about 20 minutes in line in the rain. :) It was wonderful and rewarding to get the certificate.
We then met Angie, Ursula and Jergan for coffee and goodbyes or better yet see you later. Then Hubert graciously said he would go with me to find the autobus station so that I could go to Finistere, the end of the world. He needed to be at the airport at 4:00. It took us 30 minutes of walking at a fast pace to make it just in the nick of time. I could not have found it without his help. Walking into the Autobus Stationhe saw an American woman he had met who was going to Finistere. He said stay with her. I think he was worried about me. We said a quick good bye. I will miss him and his Irish stories.
It turns out Jill the American woman is going home on October 14th from Madrid. She is very nervous because her traveling companions are going on to Germany. I invited her to join Angie and I for the rest of the trip.
Two years ago Jill's partner was tragically killed in an accident. She made this pilgrimage to help her heal. After a three hour bus ride we arrived in Finistere. Her friends Anne, Larry, and Jill and I had a woman approach us on the street about a room on her her house. We checked it out and it is a good deal for 10 euro. Jill and I are sharing a room. There are only 4 of us and 1 bathroom. Yea!
We went to dinner and took a walk on the boardwalk. They are all from Michigan and great companions. Anne is a recently retired elementary teacher and Larry is a hospice worker.
I am glad I made the trip to the ocean and equally glad to have more new friends. Tomorrow I will carry my prayers to the end of the earth for the people I love.
Lesson Learned: Instead of wrapping yourself in problems, wrap yourself in the joy of the moment and the anticipation of the good things to come just around the next corner. There are always grand things yet to come.
Monday, October 6, 2014
Pedruso to Santiago: October 5, 2014: Day 37
Pedrouzo to Santiago: October 5, 2014: Day 37
We began the day thinking we would walk to about 4 kilometers put of Santiago. However the day was beautiful and the path easy to walk. We arrived to the outskirts of town by 1:00 pm. The whole group had stayed together today. We looked carefully at our maps and decided to walk into the city and stay at a Monestary. It was a long walk through the suburbs but we were all filled with anticipation. We all shared a mixture of feeling of excitement and sadness. Walking had become our way. Sleeping with a room full of strangers had been our daily practice and now the end was in site. We had all dreamed of this trip for a long time. We had been now walking for more than a month. The end was near or was it the beginning?
At last we reached the sign "Santiago de Compostella". The feeling that came was pure joy. A dream accomplished, a pilgrimage nearly complete. With the help of a local person we found the Monestary now an albergay. It is huge. For the 1st time in 6 weeks we could get an individual room with a sink that looks out onto the grounds. There are 3 windows in my room. Tonight there will be no snoring. :)
After getting settled Hubert and I walked into the old city to find food. Angie wanted to wash her clothes, nap and rest her feet. We lost Myles and Don in the vastness of the Monrstary.
We found a place to eat with a weak wifi that was not very productive. Then we went to Mass. A first for Hubert in the past year. After Mass we went in search of the rest of our group but found no one so we returned to the old city so that Hubert the Irishman could check out the pubs. We had fun drinking a beer in a couple of bars. It was fun to have an Irish night of celebration. There is so much to be grateful for and there are so many pilgrims to share this joy with.
Tomorrow we will go to the Pilgrim's mass and get our Compostela. Such joy awaits.
Lesson Learned: Dreams really do come true.
We began the day thinking we would walk to about 4 kilometers put of Santiago. However the day was beautiful and the path easy to walk. We arrived to the outskirts of town by 1:00 pm. The whole group had stayed together today. We looked carefully at our maps and decided to walk into the city and stay at a Monestary. It was a long walk through the suburbs but we were all filled with anticipation. We all shared a mixture of feeling of excitement and sadness. Walking had become our way. Sleeping with a room full of strangers had been our daily practice and now the end was in site. We had all dreamed of this trip for a long time. We had been now walking for more than a month. The end was near or was it the beginning?
At last we reached the sign "Santiago de Compostella". The feeling that came was pure joy. A dream accomplished, a pilgrimage nearly complete. With the help of a local person we found the Monestary now an albergay. It is huge. For the 1st time in 6 weeks we could get an individual room with a sink that looks out onto the grounds. There are 3 windows in my room. Tonight there will be no snoring. :)
After getting settled Hubert and I walked into the old city to find food. Angie wanted to wash her clothes, nap and rest her feet. We lost Myles and Don in the vastness of the Monrstary.
We found a place to eat with a weak wifi that was not very productive. Then we went to Mass. A first for Hubert in the past year. After Mass we went in search of the rest of our group but found no one so we returned to the old city so that Hubert the Irishman could check out the pubs. We had fun drinking a beer in a couple of bars. It was fun to have an Irish night of celebration. There is so much to be grateful for and there are so many pilgrims to share this joy with.
Tomorrow we will go to the Pilgrim's mass and get our Compostela. Such joy awaits.
Lesson Learned: Dreams really do come true.
Rabadisco to Pedrouzo October 4, 2014: Day 36
Rabadisco to Pedrouzo October 4, 2014: Day 35
In Rabadisco we stayed at a very old stone albergay with sleeping areas of about 20 people only separated by 3 different floors all open to each other. We were excited when we got a bed by the window. The bathrooms and showers were in 3 other buildings. The men and women were separate.
This morning we said good bye to Jack. We hope we might see him again in Santiago.
We walked with Myles and Don all morning. The trail was uphill most of the morning which meant we had to work at it. It was beautiful with a tree lined path and occasional views of pastures and farm houses.
Around 1:00 the clouds got heavy and it was threatening rain. Angie was having trouble with her feet. We decided to eat and pick up some more ibuprofen. As we left the restaurant a light rain started. We walked for over an hour in the light rain. It was our intention to meet with the group in the next large town. When we arrived we were cold and soaked. We stood under an awning to stay out of the downpour and to look at our guidebook. As we were trying to figure things out Hubert popped his head out of the restaurant door. It was a miracle. They were all in the Albergay next door. What a relief. Once again the Camino provides.
We quickly went to the albergay with 170 beds, got a warm shower, while Myles and Don went to get food to make for dinner. We found places to hang our clothes along with all the other pilgrims. I was given the opportunity to visit with a Spaniard while others who were cooking. He had spent a month in San Fransisco and was very interested in the States. I was interested in talking to him about economics, the church and politics in Spain. We all ate dinner together and enjoyed a rich conversation
Lessons learned: There is so much that we can learn from one another.
In Rabadisco we stayed at a very old stone albergay with sleeping areas of about 20 people only separated by 3 different floors all open to each other. We were excited when we got a bed by the window. The bathrooms and showers were in 3 other buildings. The men and women were separate.
This morning we said good bye to Jack. We hope we might see him again in Santiago.
We walked with Myles and Don all morning. The trail was uphill most of the morning which meant we had to work at it. It was beautiful with a tree lined path and occasional views of pastures and farm houses.
Around 1:00 the clouds got heavy and it was threatening rain. Angie was having trouble with her feet. We decided to eat and pick up some more ibuprofen. As we left the restaurant a light rain started. We walked for over an hour in the light rain. It was our intention to meet with the group in the next large town. When we arrived we were cold and soaked. We stood under an awning to stay out of the downpour and to look at our guidebook. As we were trying to figure things out Hubert popped his head out of the restaurant door. It was a miracle. They were all in the Albergay next door. What a relief. Once again the Camino provides.
We quickly went to the albergay with 170 beds, got a warm shower, while Myles and Don went to get food to make for dinner. We found places to hang our clothes along with all the other pilgrims. I was given the opportunity to visit with a Spaniard while others who were cooking. He had spent a month in San Fransisco and was very interested in the States. I was interested in talking to him about economics, the church and politics in Spain. We all ate dinner together and enjoyed a rich conversation
Lessons learned: There is so much that we can learn from one another.
Cassanova to Ribadisco: October 3, 2014: Day 35
Cassanova to Ribadisco: October 3, 2014: Day 35
Our days on the Camino are winding down. We are now only 2 or 3 days from reaching Santiago. We are all getting excited and anxious about the end. Our friend Jack will leave us tomorrow. He already reached Santiago once but then learned that his wife was flying over to meet him. However she will not arrive until the 4th. So he took a bus back to Sarria where we met him, to walk the last 100 kilometers again. We tease him that he was sent back because he needed to do more penitence for his sins.
Our group, like the group from The Way have now been traveling together for several days and have begun to feel a kind of commitment to one another. We take turns walking with each other. We don't plan who we will walk with us it just changes naturally without much thought. Someone may walk ahead at a faster pace or fall behind taking pictures. We all agree we want some time alone. Today I needed to stop at an ATM and a pharmacy and so I fell behind. A couple hours later I stopped for a soda and Angie and Jack came by. Hubert was farther back taking pictures. Don and Myles had gone ahead. However by 4:00 we were all at the albergay checking in and getting ready to have a beer. Tonight we are celebrating Jack's last night with us. Each day we share we are learning more about each other and becoming closer. It is a very special experience having so much time to walk and talk.
The land is beautiful and green. Trees often cover the walking. We are walking over rolling hills. The climbs can be fairly steep and long. The last hill today we walked with a young Irish lad of 27. He is almost 7 feet tall. We first met him 3 weeks ago and thought for sure that he would be done by now. He developed tendinitis and was able to walk for 5 days. Since that time his days have been limited to 10 to 15 kilometers.
Lesson learned: Even though we do not know what is around the next bend we walk-on. We never know what joy awaits us.
Our days on the Camino are winding down. We are now only 2 or 3 days from reaching Santiago. We are all getting excited and anxious about the end. Our friend Jack will leave us tomorrow. He already reached Santiago once but then learned that his wife was flying over to meet him. However she will not arrive until the 4th. So he took a bus back to Sarria where we met him, to walk the last 100 kilometers again. We tease him that he was sent back because he needed to do more penitence for his sins.
Our group, like the group from The Way have now been traveling together for several days and have begun to feel a kind of commitment to one another. We take turns walking with each other. We don't plan who we will walk with us it just changes naturally without much thought. Someone may walk ahead at a faster pace or fall behind taking pictures. We all agree we want some time alone. Today I needed to stop at an ATM and a pharmacy and so I fell behind. A couple hours later I stopped for a soda and Angie and Jack came by. Hubert was farther back taking pictures. Don and Myles had gone ahead. However by 4:00 we were all at the albergay checking in and getting ready to have a beer. Tonight we are celebrating Jack's last night with us. Each day we share we are learning more about each other and becoming closer. It is a very special experience having so much time to walk and talk.
The land is beautiful and green. Trees often cover the walking. We are walking over rolling hills. The climbs can be fairly steep and long. The last hill today we walked with a young Irish lad of 27. He is almost 7 feet tall. We first met him 3 weeks ago and thought for sure that he would be done by now. He developed tendinitis and was able to walk for 5 days. Since that time his days have been limited to 10 to 15 kilometers.
Lesson learned: Even though we do not know what is around the next bend we walk-on. We never know what joy awaits us.
Friday, October 3, 2014
Ventas De Naron to Cassanova: October 2, 2014: Day 33
Ventas De Naron to Cassanova: October 2, 2014: Day 33
Today was the latest any of us have woken up on the Camino at 7:45. We are suppose to be out of the albergay by 8:00. The room was darkened by a thick wall of fog.
After quickly dressing our group went downstairs for coffee and toast. Angie and Jack took off quickly. I hung back and had coffee and toast with Hubert, Don and Myles. We enjoyed more of our conversation about Hubert's organic farm. When we had all finished we we took off down the road. We enjoyed walking through the cool mountain mist. We all chatted about what we were seeing. It reminded of us about the movie The Way.
We all met up with Angie for lunch around 12:30. We decided we are doing the Perigrinos stroll. Our pace has slowed down and we are enjoying our new friends.
We continued on after lunch with Myles and Don. The sun was hot and the grade uphill. We are still surrounded by mountains and trees. We passed through several very small villages that are mostly a few small farms. A couple of kilometers before stopping for the day we came upon Jack who had checked into a little albergay. We greeted one another and pressed on for a couple more kilometers.
In the town we are staying there is only the albergay, a bar and a home with a small farm. We are sleeping with 7 others in our room. Myles, Don, Angie and I shared a pilgrim's meal and talked about our lives and our day. We decided to go to bed early. I was very tired and fell right to sleep around 9:30.
Lessons learned: Enjoy friends and the peace that comes with sharing the day with others.
Today was the latest any of us have woken up on the Camino at 7:45. We are suppose to be out of the albergay by 8:00. The room was darkened by a thick wall of fog.
After quickly dressing our group went downstairs for coffee and toast. Angie and Jack took off quickly. I hung back and had coffee and toast with Hubert, Don and Myles. We enjoyed more of our conversation about Hubert's organic farm. When we had all finished we we took off down the road. We enjoyed walking through the cool mountain mist. We all chatted about what we were seeing. It reminded of us about the movie The Way.
We all met up with Angie for lunch around 12:30. We decided we are doing the Perigrinos stroll. Our pace has slowed down and we are enjoying our new friends.
We continued on after lunch with Myles and Don. The sun was hot and the grade uphill. We are still surrounded by mountains and trees. We passed through several very small villages that are mostly a few small farms. A couple of kilometers before stopping for the day we came upon Jack who had checked into a little albergay. We greeted one another and pressed on for a couple more kilometers.
In the town we are staying there is only the albergay, a bar and a home with a small farm. We are sleeping with 7 others in our room. Myles, Don, Angie and I shared a pilgrim's meal and talked about our lives and our day. We decided to go to bed early. I was very tired and fell right to sleep around 9:30.
Lessons learned: Enjoy friends and the peace that comes with sharing the day with others.
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