Filed under: Friends
Well, after a unexpected rest in Leon I am back on the road agian. I have walked yesterday and today and am in Astroga, Spain. I am feelig pretty good. esterday was an asy trek, I will say this about the meseta, many think it is the easy part of the walk though I have to disagree, the meseta brings the challenges that it is always the same terrine and pounding on your feet. It is either paved highway or dirt roads but no variation on the muscles you are using so thus many think we can walk long days but then our tendons react… After getting my self back together having had to make the descion that I had to move forwad via train and then rest 2 days, I decided that I would see a bit of Leon, it was nice there is some this city has to offer that if I had just walked by it I would have not seen. I think this is one of the lessons I have learned, I need to somewhat within reason slow down and take the moment in, not like I usually do run at light speed.
TOday the albergue is full and not only oe people but of different odors, augh, it is incredible that many do not shower or if they do they do not put deorant on… I have a bed next to the window, this room is full of bunk beds after bunk beds, not sure that there is one that is better but at least i have a window… It is warm so that willbe interesting.
The walk today was nice I wanted to tune out a bit so I put my Ipod on and started to listen to the Alchemist, so far I am hooked on it. Thank you Fi for getting me the book…
It is amazing since I was in Mexcio in Feb to see the Monarch Butterfiles, I have had butterflies follow me. I turn around and there is one or two leading my way. It is fun to watch them, there are many birds as well of many different colors.
This has been a humbilng adventrue to say the least, I look forward to bein at home in my own bed and enjoying Rick and Nitika! I still do not realize what I am in the middle of it is like a dream, some parts are good others may not be but I try to make the most of it, today for dinner I just went to the plaza and enjoyed a few snacks with wine by myself.
ANyway I hope that everyone takes a moment to look around them and be greatful for their husbands, wife, children, and friends, that they share their homes and special moments with those around them and at the same time take a moment for yourself and be comforatble realizing that you are blessed in more ways that you will ever know. It doesn´t have to take you 500 miles to know this…
off to bed before the “humming of humantiy” (snoring) as Joyce Rupp says… starts and I can´t fall a sleep…
Love E
Filed under: Friends
The last days have been a humbling expereince many adventures and learing opportunities, I only pray that I take these back with me all my life….I week ago I overheard a farmer in a cafe while eating lunch “he who trys to vover much ground can not get a good grip on it all”.. wish I would have listned as I treked 30 to 40 km a day with a 24 pound packback and different level terrains…
My ankle has bought my down for 2 days, it was a tearful decision to stop and move forward via train… I feel sad and disappointed… but have learned that I always am aggressive with my goals trying to cover lots of grounds and then I cant embrak it all… this is what has happened here… I am now resting today and will continue tomorrow thursday, walking only about 22 kms a day which believe me with a back pack and the terrine it is about what the normal body can take, I overestimated my ability to walk 30 km a day….tough lessons… I am in Leon…
Many pilgarms have had to go back home with out finishing for not stopping but rather moving forward, Rick reminded me of this when i was trying to make my choice, though i feel I have let many down, I will finish this trek at a slower pace but i will finish with Gods grace… and His teachings… As Guy, a 71 year old pilgram from Belguim told me, it is not about the finish but about the way there….
We all think we walk the Camino but the Camino walks us, as does life expereinces showing as lots of lessons along they way…
I am reminded of Plsam 23……. I urge everyone to read…. but really read it and take it in…
Love you
E
Filed under: Friends
I must say that this has been a great experience so far, so many dynamics that go on throughout the trip we are definitely at Gods mercy and learn to appericate even the littlist things. my daily routine is to get up at 6am and take count of my belongings which are in 4 bags, undergarments and socks, clothing, meds and charges for phone-camara-ipod, and toiletties. I head out about 6:15 – 6:30 and the then I trek for 1 to 2 hours. When i stop for a bit to eat and a rest. I then trek ahead a few more hours and then stop around 12 for lunch, i check for blisters, just one that has gone away.. then put on antianflamatory creams preventions, and go ahead, i arrive at the destination wait in line to get a bed, rooms are about 3 to 5 eur in the albergue, then shower, hand wash clothes, hang clothing to dry, go eat a snack, if internet access do email you can email me at elizabethap@comcast.net I will respond when I have access, read a bit about the next day and figure out my stop, go eat dinner and then pakc everything I will not need in the am and go to sleep.
I must say that what ever is put in front of you for food I enjoy, the flavors just are great, even is all i get is a piece of bread and cheese. I usally safe some bread form the day before with cheese for a snack. My body is probably in carbo shock with all the bread and pasta that is served, but I am gratefull for all the places that take care of us. Food is usually a set menu for 9 euro, salad or soup, entree – beef, fish or some local dish like calamares in there ink (delicous), dessert wine, water and bread, not bad! Breakfast is a tortillas which is made of eggs and potatoes (cheap for them!)
I have treked from St Jean to Orrisoon – Roncevilles-Larrossona-Pampolona- Puente La Reina – Estella – Los Arcos – Logrona – Azofra – Granon (bes`t albergue so far) – Villafranca Montes de Oca – Burgos – Castrojeriz and now at Fromista, not sure how many km but I have about 427 km to go…. My spirits are good, at times I get sad and miss all of you, I think of how blessed I am to have my freinds and family co workers and all the people in the camino to help me go on.
I now travel on my own I do meet with people along the road and chat with them, at the start I mentione Finley and Klaus I moved ahead from them and then they took a bus to move forward…. we all have our path to walk or ride, I have made a choice that if i need to slow down or my body is hurting I will use a service to take you backpack to the next location… I have had to use it once or twice do to my left knee or right ankle acting up. I have seen many have to stop and go back home as they have pushed to far with out listening… KEY WORD LISTEN and be in the present…
I take each day at a time and only look toward the next one, your emails, calls inspire me and are so apprecited. I have seen amazing sun rises, and sun sets as well as landscapes along the way.
i am on the meseta right now so it will get very hard – long roads that seem never end, hot days need to drink lots of water, and empty paths at times with no one… I enjoy my ipod to listne to books i downloded and music..
This is a snipit of my Camino and hope you enjoy it.. I will continue to update as I can…
Love you all
E
Filed under: Friends
Reminder that I do not have the original cellphone as all docs were lost/stolen including sim card
Hi there just a quick heloo from Logrono, Spain, I have been blessed with good people ont he road, met one gall i kinda hang out wiht Finely from CA. Artist Anyway the weather had been good till today, it was 7 degress C. raining and windy, walked to town and the albergue does not open till 1:00pm so had to wait inline only 88 beds they fill fast. One pilgram we travel with Klaus, retired policeman from Germany, stayed at a pension so stayed there till albergue is opena nd was able to cleanup and get warm.
I am in good health, the road slows down with the rain as it is hilly and wet clay so very slippery… boats are all wet so we will see what tomorrow brings, no blisters Yupiiie!
The camino has taught me to be humble and also that everyone is not nice many Eurpenas want thery way and some on their on agenda, others very kind an always looking out for you.
I have many miles to go, I do hope the weather clears up as it is very bad to walkin…
Miss you and love you,
E
