Day 1.2 Santiago to Madrid (overnight train)
We stayed at the Semenario Belvis again last night. It was the same albergue we stayed at when we first arrived in Santiago. It has a bit of a reputation for being noisy. It is Santiago after all, and people are generally in festive moods. I suppose it wasn't all that surprising when at midnight last night, the entire dorm room awoke to four police officers flashing lights around the room, hovering over a man on the ground passed out. Judging by their smiles and periodic gestures of putting their thumbs to their mouths and tipping backwards, the situation wasn't serious and the man had just drank too much. Regardless, it required a medical team to remove him. The communal lights finally shut off around 1am.
This probably would have annoyed us more had we still be on the Camino. However, as it stands we are officially finished and chose to sleep in as long as possible. Our To-Do list for Santiago was quite small for the day; just double-check lodging information and make sure we make it to the train station for our overnight to Madrid. That left us with several hours to fill. I was a bit worried at first thinking that I might have to come up with things to do to entertain us. However, I was pleased to find that we all just appreciated the downtime. We bounced from park to park and just sat. Periodically one of us would get up and wander around a bit, leaving their pack behind. I think we all secretly knew that pretty soon we would kill for the chance to just sit in a quiet park on a sunny day.
We also made one last trip back to the plaza in front of the Cathedral. Deija and Auna sat in the shade and wrote the entry for the blog and I laid out in the square observing all the pilgrims arrive. It was fun to just watch their expression as they first entered the square. Some whooped and hollered while others stood silently. Everyone looked as though they stood up taller, proud of what they accomplished.
Speaking of blog entries, I was quite touched by what Auna and Deija have reported in their entries and I also want to thank them as well for having the courage to take on this challenge. It was certainly not easy and they know more than anybody else that their "Camino" adventure began long before they took that first step in St. Jean, and will end long after they dipped their hands in the Atlantic Ocean. We still have a lot of stuff planned when we get back. From movies (The Way, a film about the Camino by Emilio Estevez comes out early October), to possible speaking engagements, and simple exercises in passing along the kindness we received while en route, we still have a lot to do.
But for now, we will just take it one day at a time and tomorrow we will be in Madrid. Our flight leaves here August 3rd, and that will give us two days in Washington DC before flying back to Portland late August 5th. We will of course continue to update the blog with pictures and our random daily musings until we return. Stay tuned and thanks for reading!
Update-----It is also Deija's birthday today, so feel free to wish her a happy one. Auna has been carrying her present in her backpack since yesterday and I am currently writing this blog entry from the lobby of a very nice hotel with a pool (Happy Birthday) in Madrid.
James
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Day 1.1: A Santiago - Via Autobus
Day 1.1: to Santiago - Via Bus
We sat ourselves down on the bus this morning, the first vehicle since the train to St. Jean. The first thought I had was that I shouldn't be on. It felt as if I was breaking some pilgrim rule or something, but most of the others that had walked to Finisterre were also taking the bus back. This made me feel a bit better about myself...
While sitting on the bus passing most of the scenery we walked by the previous day, I became slightly annoyed. We were passing yesterdays halfway point and it had only been fifteen minutes. We were rushing past places where I had paused to steady my breathing. Mixed feelings rushed towards the surface; On one hand you have the fact that driving helps you go from point A to point B more quickly. On the other, you have all the experiences that you would have never been able to enjoy if you took a car or bus. You have the friendships that you made while hiking, and all those stories that only fellow pilgrims would understand. Explaining to someone the meaning of a shell or an arrow would be meaningless. They wouldn't understand the irony or hilarity of some of your situations that you had experienced. Some might think that your thoughts were morbid and situation horrible, and that wouldn't be true. In fact, you're laughing about it with someone who just walked through THAT desert, had just ran out of THEIR water, ate ALL their emergency food, just dealt with a BIG blister. And while having these conversations with people, you form a sort of family. A family that will be there everyday and actually understands your situations. A family that you may not ever see again, but you are closer than ever with. A family you tell EVERYTHING to, and they will not judge because we all have our own problems.
I love it, the experience, in it's entirety. I will probably forget the hard times, and remember only the good, because there were much more amazing times than horrible, and why dwell in the negative?
I think I would like to do another trip like this one. Maybe within the next few years, maybe when I'm old...maybe both. The feelings I have dealt with in the last thirty-four days of walking, I know that I will only be able to feel in full while doing something that pushes me and gives me a sense of complete happiness. I wasn't comfortable with my situation, I was happy with it. Yeah, I had a few blisters... Yeah, I was tired and achey. All that did was make it easier to begin conversations with strangers, then all that is left is the good stuff. :)
I'll probably be asked to tell people my favorite part of the whole trip, had I been asked earlier on I would have probably said the Fourth of July "party" that we had was great. Now I'm not so sure. It would be slightly cheesy to say the whole trip was fullnof awesomesauce happenings and that I cannot pick favorites, but to tell you something else would be lying, and as of this moment, cheesy feats lying all the way.
Something Auna and I were doing the other day seems pertinent to to my topic if writing, so I'm going to share it with you all.
We were making up a song To sing along the trail and using tunes from well known songs to do so, and at this time we were singing to "The Twelve Days of Christmas," turned "The Ten Days of Camino." In this we said that our teacher had given us a seashell, blisters, baguettes, sliced cheese, swollen fingers, uphill climbs, injuries, holey socks, life lessons, and friendly letters.. This of course doesn't tell all that March has given us or helped us reach ourselves as much as it lets you know what Auna and I were thinking about in the middle of a normal walking day. It is true though, life lessons have definitely been given, and I would like to think received as well.
I would like to thank March publicly for everything he put into this trip before, during, and what I know he will be doing after. March, you have been here for us through thick and thin socks, and stuck around even when our baguettes were just measly crumbs. Yes, I know technically you have that responsibility thing keeping you in check, but it doesn't matter. I wouldn't have been here, sitting in Santiago for the second time, writing in front of the cathedral, eating Milka with Auna, had it not been for you. I would not have experienced anything even close to this for probably my whole life. I like comfort zones, and I don't tend to leave mine often, unless I know the outcome. You have pushed my comfort zone, and I may not have enjoyed it at the time and I may have said some things, but the end effect and the memories are pretty amazing... And that feeling of what Auna calls superhuman, I have never felt before, until now. It was definitely worth every blister, ache, pain and annoyance on this trip. Thank you for helping me reach this.
So a song that describes my mood at the moment: 'We No Speak Americano' by Yolanda Be Cool and Dcup. (Complete and utter awesomesauce... Check. It. Out.)
Sitting against the window, looking at the scenery as we pass at a greater speed than walking allows, and all I can think of is all those scenes in movies where the character is leaving someone or something that means so much to them and it's a really depressing scene and of course the writers/directors have sad piano song in the background, all the while the character jut sits there with either a completely blank face, or with one tiny tear makings its way down the side of their face...
I feel this way right now. Leaving Finisterre, looking out the window, "Come Home" by OneRepublic playing in my headphones, passing scenery that holds so many memories. I even have that blank look on my face and I know this because I can see my pitiful expression in the reflexion. Which makes me laugh out loud, literally. I am sad though, sad isn't a very descriptive word, but that sums it up nicely enough. However, I will be seeing my family, pets, and friends soon, and that cheers me up. :D
After feeling sorry for myself this morning, I remember thinking, "Wow, what a summer...and now its over..." Then I kept thinking --Uh-Oh Deija-- and I realized that we weren't really, we (everyone, including you, the reader) are never done. Life itself is a journey, and if you're my age your journey is just beginning. Camino is a Spanish word meaning "Journey" and I hope you all know what "Buen" means... So to all of you out there reading, Buen Camino!
~~Deija:)
We sat ourselves down on the bus this morning, the first vehicle since the train to St. Jean. The first thought I had was that I shouldn't be on. It felt as if I was breaking some pilgrim rule or something, but most of the others that had walked to Finisterre were also taking the bus back. This made me feel a bit better about myself...
While sitting on the bus passing most of the scenery we walked by the previous day, I became slightly annoyed. We were passing yesterdays halfway point and it had only been fifteen minutes. We were rushing past places where I had paused to steady my breathing. Mixed feelings rushed towards the surface; On one hand you have the fact that driving helps you go from point A to point B more quickly. On the other, you have all the experiences that you would have never been able to enjoy if you took a car or bus. You have the friendships that you made while hiking, and all those stories that only fellow pilgrims would understand. Explaining to someone the meaning of a shell or an arrow would be meaningless. They wouldn't understand the irony or hilarity of some of your situations that you had experienced. Some might think that your thoughts were morbid and situation horrible, and that wouldn't be true. In fact, you're laughing about it with someone who just walked through THAT desert, had just ran out of THEIR water, ate ALL their emergency food, just dealt with a BIG blister. And while having these conversations with people, you form a sort of family. A family that will be there everyday and actually understands your situations. A family that you may not ever see again, but you are closer than ever with. A family you tell EVERYTHING to, and they will not judge because we all have our own problems.
I love it, the experience, in it's entirety. I will probably forget the hard times, and remember only the good, because there were much more amazing times than horrible, and why dwell in the negative?
I think I would like to do another trip like this one. Maybe within the next few years, maybe when I'm old...maybe both. The feelings I have dealt with in the last thirty-four days of walking, I know that I will only be able to feel in full while doing something that pushes me and gives me a sense of complete happiness. I wasn't comfortable with my situation, I was happy with it. Yeah, I had a few blisters... Yeah, I was tired and achey. All that did was make it easier to begin conversations with strangers, then all that is left is the good stuff. :)
I'll probably be asked to tell people my favorite part of the whole trip, had I been asked earlier on I would have probably said the Fourth of July "party" that we had was great. Now I'm not so sure. It would be slightly cheesy to say the whole trip was fullnof awesomesauce happenings and that I cannot pick favorites, but to tell you something else would be lying, and as of this moment, cheesy feats lying all the way.
Something Auna and I were doing the other day seems pertinent to to my topic if writing, so I'm going to share it with you all.
We were making up a song To sing along the trail and using tunes from well known songs to do so, and at this time we were singing to "The Twelve Days of Christmas," turned "The Ten Days of Camino." In this we said that our teacher had given us a seashell, blisters, baguettes, sliced cheese, swollen fingers, uphill climbs, injuries, holey socks, life lessons, and friendly letters.. This of course doesn't tell all that March has given us or helped us reach ourselves as much as it lets you know what Auna and I were thinking about in the middle of a normal walking day. It is true though, life lessons have definitely been given, and I would like to think received as well.
I would like to thank March publicly for everything he put into this trip before, during, and what I know he will be doing after. March, you have been here for us through thick and thin socks, and stuck around even when our baguettes were just measly crumbs. Yes, I know technically you have that responsibility thing keeping you in check, but it doesn't matter. I wouldn't have been here, sitting in Santiago for the second time, writing in front of the cathedral, eating Milka with Auna, had it not been for you. I would not have experienced anything even close to this for probably my whole life. I like comfort zones, and I don't tend to leave mine often, unless I know the outcome. You have pushed my comfort zone, and I may not have enjoyed it at the time and I may have said some things, but the end effect and the memories are pretty amazing... And that feeling of what Auna calls superhuman, I have never felt before, until now. It was definitely worth every blister, ache, pain and annoyance on this trip. Thank you for helping me reach this.
So a song that describes my mood at the moment: 'We No Speak Americano' by Yolanda Be Cool and Dcup. (Complete and utter awesomesauce... Check. It. Out.)
Sitting against the window, looking at the scenery as we pass at a greater speed than walking allows, and all I can think of is all those scenes in movies where the character is leaving someone or something that means so much to them and it's a really depressing scene and of course the writers/directors have sad piano song in the background, all the while the character jut sits there with either a completely blank face, or with one tiny tear makings its way down the side of their face...
I feel this way right now. Leaving Finisterre, looking out the window, "Come Home" by OneRepublic playing in my headphones, passing scenery that holds so many memories. I even have that blank look on my face and I know this because I can see my pitiful expression in the reflexion. Which makes me laugh out loud, literally. I am sad though, sad isn't a very descriptive word, but that sums it up nicely enough. However, I will be seeing my family, pets, and friends soon, and that cheers me up. :D
After feeling sorry for myself this morning, I remember thinking, "Wow, what a summer...and now its over..." Then I kept thinking --Uh-Oh Deija-- and I realized that we weren't really, we (everyone, including you, the reader) are never done. Life itself is a journey, and if you're my age your journey is just beginning. Camino is a Spanish word meaning "Journey" and I hope you all know what "Buen" means... So to all of you out there reading, Buen Camino!
~~Deija:)
Day 34: Olveiroa to Fisterra (Auna)
Day 34: Olveiroa to Fisterra
22 Miles
Total: 545.1 Miles
I have mixed feelings this morning as we set off for our LAST day off walking on the Camino. We have made it far, further than most people. I'm still alive! I may have some scratches and bumps and a few toes that I have yet to get feeling in for a while but I have gained so much. I feel like I appreciate things more, I don't care as much of what other people think, I believe in myself completely, I have a new outlook on life and the way it should be lived and I have gained new friends. I love the Camino and I love walking but I do miss my family and friends so I am a little excited to finish and accomplish this journey I have been tackling for a while now.
You would think that we are all experts on the trail now... Well we're not exactly.. Yesterday Deija got a little confused on the trail and took a wrong turn but not even five minutes go by, her and March reunite! By the way, people get lost on the Camino all the time, it's still safe, you just turn around and follow your trail back till you see where you messed up. I now know from experience.. The last day on the Camino I get lost. I went up a trail that I thought the arrow was slightly pointing to and it gets me about 1.5 miles of dreadful, steep, and quite down hill and then once I reach a town I realize I had done something wrong because there wasn't any arrows. I walk and part jog my way back up, and by this time it is a horrible, hot, VERY steep up hill. I cursed myself the whole way up.. It was clearly my fault that I got lost because I then see a clearly marked trail that I should have chosen. About 5 minutes of walking I see March in search. I apologize for putting a damper on the last day, all was okay. (:
I had imagined this Kodak moment for when I first saw the ocean.. It didn't happen. Once I saw the ocean from on top of the mountain I was extremely tired and could only pose for a picture. Once we meet up with Deija and Bree I take a short break and then we are off! We see the ocean and can touch it but we are still only at our half way point. We had to walk along the boardwalk and it made me so jealous and pissy seeing all the locals swim in the ocean and lay in the sand, today was definitely a challenge that I struggled with.
We find our albergue and wait in line but we got a spot. We go set up our bed and immediately take off for Finisterre "The End of the World!" which is about 3K away. Deija and I try to get March and Bree to hold our hands as we all finish but they shot us down, haha. So DEIJA and I walk, hand in hand, to the end point. In the begining we wouldn't have even thought about holding each others hand, we have definitely grown on each other. Deija and I have more like a sister relationship, we fight and yell at each other all the time but we are still there for each other, we have to be. (;
I was extremely proud of myself standing there, I didn't want it to end but I have been waiting for that moment. Looking out to the Atlantic Ocean I felt like I had earned it fair and square for all of the beauty it had. I grew up in a coastal town when I was younger and I have been to the ocean many times, I never once remember feeling like that. You have to experience at least one time in your life, I know why March takes kids on these trips. It is his way of "giving back" and I am so lucky that I have been able to do this.
Deija and I go find a rock to sit on. There is no beach, the earths rocks just crumble into the ocean. We eat a muffin and cherries that she had bought moments before. Twenty or so minutes go by and we walk back to rest. We rest, find some wi-fi and talk to family, then choose to go take a dip in the ocean. (: we found this spot where nobody was at earlier but since then, people have took it over. We walk over and put our feet in, it's very cold! We don't see how all these people are swimming in it. The water is a turquoise color but not warm like it was supposed to be. We kind of slowly wade in and I decide that I was just going to go for it. Since I didn't bring a swimsuit I was just going to swim in my small basketball shorts and sports bra. I took my shirt off (which ended up getting wet anyways) and threw it to the shore and I went in deeper. I bet Deija that she wouldn't go in as far as me, sure enough she did! Then she tried to out do me so I had to go back in and get even. The water didn't seem as cold after a while and we swam around but we had plans that night so we got out. At first I had only gotten wet up to my chest, then I bet Deija, because she was over in the shallow part squealing about the cold. Then she kinda just ran/waded past me and went completely under and started swimming! I then of course went in all the way as well, and we both found out that it gets a bit better once your in the water for a little, but not much.
After our shower we see that our friend, Min, and his friends have cooked up a delicious dinner. Earlier they had invited us so we have been looking forward to it all day! Mins friend is a chef and he had two different pastas. One had octopus, we tried it (: I thought it was going to have a squishy, slimy texture but it was good and chewable! I liked it! We didn't want to eat all of their food because we were extremely hungry so Deija and I went to get a sandwich. We come back and it is a little past 9:00 I grab my coat, she takes a blanket and we head up to Finisterre to watch the sunset. Everyone goes to see it, I know why now! It was beautiful, I sat directly in front of it. I watched the calm, majestic, but yet strong and swift waves. I sadly forgot my camera but I don't know if you could capture all of my feelings in the picture. It was an unbelievable sight. I really felt like I was sitting at the end of the world. Everybody clapped at the end and we all headed back. Deija and I head out for some coffee and warm milk before bed. (: we had some good cake too! We have to catch a bus tomorrow morning so we decide it would be smart to had back to the albergue. We fall asleep to the seagulls squawking and I surprisingly fell asleep quite easily and peacefully to it, I think we all did.
Auna
22 Miles
Total: 545.1 Miles
I have mixed feelings this morning as we set off for our LAST day off walking on the Camino. We have made it far, further than most people. I'm still alive! I may have some scratches and bumps and a few toes that I have yet to get feeling in for a while but I have gained so much. I feel like I appreciate things more, I don't care as much of what other people think, I believe in myself completely, I have a new outlook on life and the way it should be lived and I have gained new friends. I love the Camino and I love walking but I do miss my family and friends so I am a little excited to finish and accomplish this journey I have been tackling for a while now.
You would think that we are all experts on the trail now... Well we're not exactly.. Yesterday Deija got a little confused on the trail and took a wrong turn but not even five minutes go by, her and March reunite! By the way, people get lost on the Camino all the time, it's still safe, you just turn around and follow your trail back till you see where you messed up. I now know from experience.. The last day on the Camino I get lost. I went up a trail that I thought the arrow was slightly pointing to and it gets me about 1.5 miles of dreadful, steep, and quite down hill and then once I reach a town I realize I had done something wrong because there wasn't any arrows. I walk and part jog my way back up, and by this time it is a horrible, hot, VERY steep up hill. I cursed myself the whole way up.. It was clearly my fault that I got lost because I then see a clearly marked trail that I should have chosen. About 5 minutes of walking I see March in search. I apologize for putting a damper on the last day, all was okay. (:
I had imagined this Kodak moment for when I first saw the ocean.. It didn't happen. Once I saw the ocean from on top of the mountain I was extremely tired and could only pose for a picture. Once we meet up with Deija and Bree I take a short break and then we are off! We see the ocean and can touch it but we are still only at our half way point. We had to walk along the boardwalk and it made me so jealous and pissy seeing all the locals swim in the ocean and lay in the sand, today was definitely a challenge that I struggled with.
We find our albergue and wait in line but we got a spot. We go set up our bed and immediately take off for Finisterre "The End of the World!" which is about 3K away. Deija and I try to get March and Bree to hold our hands as we all finish but they shot us down, haha. So DEIJA and I walk, hand in hand, to the end point. In the begining we wouldn't have even thought about holding each others hand, we have definitely grown on each other. Deija and I have more like a sister relationship, we fight and yell at each other all the time but we are still there for each other, we have to be. (;
I was extremely proud of myself standing there, I didn't want it to end but I have been waiting for that moment. Looking out to the Atlantic Ocean I felt like I had earned it fair and square for all of the beauty it had. I grew up in a coastal town when I was younger and I have been to the ocean many times, I never once remember feeling like that. You have to experience at least one time in your life, I know why March takes kids on these trips. It is his way of "giving back" and I am so lucky that I have been able to do this.
Deija and I go find a rock to sit on. There is no beach, the earths rocks just crumble into the ocean. We eat a muffin and cherries that she had bought moments before. Twenty or so minutes go by and we walk back to rest. We rest, find some wi-fi and talk to family, then choose to go take a dip in the ocean. (: we found this spot where nobody was at earlier but since then, people have took it over. We walk over and put our feet in, it's very cold! We don't see how all these people are swimming in it. The water is a turquoise color but not warm like it was supposed to be. We kind of slowly wade in and I decide that I was just going to go for it. Since I didn't bring a swimsuit I was just going to swim in my small basketball shorts and sports bra. I took my shirt off (which ended up getting wet anyways) and threw it to the shore and I went in deeper. I bet Deija that she wouldn't go in as far as me, sure enough she did! Then she tried to out do me so I had to go back in and get even. The water didn't seem as cold after a while and we swam around but we had plans that night so we got out. At first I had only gotten wet up to my chest, then I bet Deija, because she was over in the shallow part squealing about the cold. Then she kinda just ran/waded past me and went completely under and started swimming! I then of course went in all the way as well, and we both found out that it gets a bit better once your in the water for a little, but not much.
After our shower we see that our friend, Min, and his friends have cooked up a delicious dinner. Earlier they had invited us so we have been looking forward to it all day! Mins friend is a chef and he had two different pastas. One had octopus, we tried it (: I thought it was going to have a squishy, slimy texture but it was good and chewable! I liked it! We didn't want to eat all of their food because we were extremely hungry so Deija and I went to get a sandwich. We come back and it is a little past 9:00 I grab my coat, she takes a blanket and we head up to Finisterre to watch the sunset. Everyone goes to see it, I know why now! It was beautiful, I sat directly in front of it. I watched the calm, majestic, but yet strong and swift waves. I sadly forgot my camera but I don't know if you could capture all of my feelings in the picture. It was an unbelievable sight. I really felt like I was sitting at the end of the world. Everybody clapped at the end and we all headed back. Deija and I head out for some coffee and warm milk before bed. (: we had some good cake too! We have to catch a bus tomorrow morning so we decide it would be smart to had back to the albergue. We fall asleep to the seagulls squawking and I surprisingly fell asleep quite easily and peacefully to it, I think we all did.
Auna
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Day 33: Negreia to Olveiroa (Bree)
Day 33: Negreira to Olveiroa
20.6 miles
Total: 523.1
As I sit to write, a rush of thoughts pour into my mind as we wrap up our journey with only one day left of walking. Tomorrow we will be able to see the coast in the morning and will reach Finisterre the "End-of-the-World" by tomorrow evening!
Although my legs feel like they are getting tired after over a month of walking, my mind and body would prefer a daily routine that resembles what we've been doing. It feels so good to be legitimately physically tired at the end of the day and extremely hungry when you eat. My mind also enjoys the quiet hours of clear thoughts as opposed to distracted and jumbled lists of things I need to get accomplish during the day. It constantly amazes me that my job can exhaust me more then a thirty mile day of walking.
Today we had a 20 mile stretch that included some hills and secluded paths through the country side. We left behind the big crowds in Santiago, so finding my little "pockets-of-peace" where I could quietly walk and let my mind freely wander, was much easier. A quote from Christopher Mcdougall came to mind: "if you can't solve all of your life's problems on a four hour run (or walk), then you have some serious problems." It's amazing to me how long walks or horseback rides have always allowed me to sort through my thoughts and feelings and arrive at a solution or at least some perspective or understanding along the way.
I mention this because today was a perfect example of that for me. Yesterday, I was super crabby all day and couldn't shake it for the entire day. I still had some hard feelings or frustrations from a few days earlier that I couldn't settle in my mind. I'm usually very good at dropping negative thoughts before they contaminate my thinking and experiences, but I wasn't excelling at that today. In no way do I mean these thoughts to be harsh against the girls, but rather it was something I needed to make sense of in my own mind about people in general.
As I reflected on the happening of the last few days, I was so bothered by the fact that people were choosing to stop walking just a few hours before arriving in Santiago, a place they've been trying to reach for a month. Close to fifty percent or more of the walkers decided to stay in a tiny town that offered nothing, when a few more hours would get them to a once in a lifetime festival that they would likely never have the opportunity to see again. For me, this was one of those situations where I really struggled to understand the other perspective. I could only view it at the time as backing down from a challenge where the only real threat was getting a bit tired. This one took me two entire days of walking to sort through in my mind and arrive at some understanding.
First of all, I have to thank James tremendously for taking one for the team in a huge way. He knows me well enough to understand that my soul would have died a slow and painful death had he wanted me to stay back with the group. Instead, he gave me an incredible gift and allowed me to experience one of the most amazing nights of my life. I can't thank him enough for giving me the go ahead to challenge myself to an exciting 30 mile adventure and the opportunity to experience what I had walked a month to see.
I of course couldn't help feeling guilty as I enjoyed delicious food and watched the city celebrate with live music on every street and an incredible amount of excitement in the air. As I watched one of the most amazing light and fireworks shows I have ever seen on the cathedral, I couldn't help but think what a shame it was that they were missing it.
Luckily James, always in teacher mode, was understanding enough to realize that everyone has to walk their OWN Camino and I needed to realize that too, even if I could make no sense of the rational. When he and the girls arrived the following night, I was glad when we found out that a condensed version of the light show would be playing tonight that they could see.
It took me the last thirty-five miles to sort all of that out in my mind. I realized that it's good to know where you lie on different spectrums in life and be content with where you are, or do something to change it. This is truly what makes any physical adventure a challenge in a group is that everyone is in a different place. Again, I come to the realization that I am not normal in this department of life, and our accomplishments and challenges on this trip need to be taken with realistic perspective. Having done trips similar to this before and having been in situations in my life where I've had to push myself and accept big challenges, I realize that has morphed my perceptions.
Thinking about what the girls have accomplished on this trip, is truly amazing. Considering the majority of Americans walk a mile or less a day, just turning their TV's off and going on a training walk of a few miles is more than many of their peers would ever consider. Walking over 500 miles across a country where they don't know the language, having to eat different food, living without many "comforts" they are use to, being away from their family and friends, living like a homeless person, and pushing themselves physically harder than they ever have before, is a challenge that most people wouldn't even consider or have the guts to attempt.
I hope they come away from this trip having learned a few lessons that will serve them well throughout their lives. A few being: *many great successes and accomplishments in life are the result of daily, persistent effort pointed in the direction of your goals, that eventually adds up to something big. *you can live happily on very little (even just a small backpacks worth.) *only by pushing yourself beyond your comfort level and accepting new challenges, can you take advantage of amazing opportunities to grow and develop self-awareness. *and most importantly, not to be confined to limits and expectations that are set by society on what you can accomplish.
So as we wrap up our trip tomorrow, I hope they know how proud I am of their huge accomplishment and that their family and friends realize that they are about to successfully finish something that took incredible strengh and courage to even attempt.
As we near the end, I am incredibly thankful that we have all been watched over on this journey, kept safe, healthy, and out of harms way!
To the End-of-the-World!
~Bree
20.6 miles
Total: 523.1
As I sit to write, a rush of thoughts pour into my mind as we wrap up our journey with only one day left of walking. Tomorrow we will be able to see the coast in the morning and will reach Finisterre the "End-of-the-World" by tomorrow evening!
Although my legs feel like they are getting tired after over a month of walking, my mind and body would prefer a daily routine that resembles what we've been doing. It feels so good to be legitimately physically tired at the end of the day and extremely hungry when you eat. My mind also enjoys the quiet hours of clear thoughts as opposed to distracted and jumbled lists of things I need to get accomplish during the day. It constantly amazes me that my job can exhaust me more then a thirty mile day of walking.
Today we had a 20 mile stretch that included some hills and secluded paths through the country side. We left behind the big crowds in Santiago, so finding my little "pockets-of-peace" where I could quietly walk and let my mind freely wander, was much easier. A quote from Christopher Mcdougall came to mind: "if you can't solve all of your life's problems on a four hour run (or walk), then you have some serious problems." It's amazing to me how long walks or horseback rides have always allowed me to sort through my thoughts and feelings and arrive at a solution or at least some perspective or understanding along the way.
I mention this because today was a perfect example of that for me. Yesterday, I was super crabby all day and couldn't shake it for the entire day. I still had some hard feelings or frustrations from a few days earlier that I couldn't settle in my mind. I'm usually very good at dropping negative thoughts before they contaminate my thinking and experiences, but I wasn't excelling at that today. In no way do I mean these thoughts to be harsh against the girls, but rather it was something I needed to make sense of in my own mind about people in general.
As I reflected on the happening of the last few days, I was so bothered by the fact that people were choosing to stop walking just a few hours before arriving in Santiago, a place they've been trying to reach for a month. Close to fifty percent or more of the walkers decided to stay in a tiny town that offered nothing, when a few more hours would get them to a once in a lifetime festival that they would likely never have the opportunity to see again. For me, this was one of those situations where I really struggled to understand the other perspective. I could only view it at the time as backing down from a challenge where the only real threat was getting a bit tired. This one took me two entire days of walking to sort through in my mind and arrive at some understanding.
First of all, I have to thank James tremendously for taking one for the team in a huge way. He knows me well enough to understand that my soul would have died a slow and painful death had he wanted me to stay back with the group. Instead, he gave me an incredible gift and allowed me to experience one of the most amazing nights of my life. I can't thank him enough for giving me the go ahead to challenge myself to an exciting 30 mile adventure and the opportunity to experience what I had walked a month to see.
I of course couldn't help feeling guilty as I enjoyed delicious food and watched the city celebrate with live music on every street and an incredible amount of excitement in the air. As I watched one of the most amazing light and fireworks shows I have ever seen on the cathedral, I couldn't help but think what a shame it was that they were missing it.
Luckily James, always in teacher mode, was understanding enough to realize that everyone has to walk their OWN Camino and I needed to realize that too, even if I could make no sense of the rational. When he and the girls arrived the following night, I was glad when we found out that a condensed version of the light show would be playing tonight that they could see.
It took me the last thirty-five miles to sort all of that out in my mind. I realized that it's good to know where you lie on different spectrums in life and be content with where you are, or do something to change it. This is truly what makes any physical adventure a challenge in a group is that everyone is in a different place. Again, I come to the realization that I am not normal in this department of life, and our accomplishments and challenges on this trip need to be taken with realistic perspective. Having done trips similar to this before and having been in situations in my life where I've had to push myself and accept big challenges, I realize that has morphed my perceptions.
Thinking about what the girls have accomplished on this trip, is truly amazing. Considering the majority of Americans walk a mile or less a day, just turning their TV's off and going on a training walk of a few miles is more than many of their peers would ever consider. Walking over 500 miles across a country where they don't know the language, having to eat different food, living without many "comforts" they are use to, being away from their family and friends, living like a homeless person, and pushing themselves physically harder than they ever have before, is a challenge that most people wouldn't even consider or have the guts to attempt.
I hope they come away from this trip having learned a few lessons that will serve them well throughout their lives. A few being: *many great successes and accomplishments in life are the result of daily, persistent effort pointed in the direction of your goals, that eventually adds up to something big. *you can live happily on very little (even just a small backpacks worth.) *only by pushing yourself beyond your comfort level and accepting new challenges, can you take advantage of amazing opportunities to grow and develop self-awareness. *and most importantly, not to be confined to limits and expectations that are set by society on what you can accomplish.
So as we wrap up our trip tomorrow, I hope they know how proud I am of their huge accomplishment and that their family and friends realize that they are about to successfully finish something that took incredible strengh and courage to even attempt.
As we near the end, I am incredibly thankful that we have all been watched over on this journey, kept safe, healthy, and out of harms way!
To the End-of-the-World!
~Bree
Day 32: Santiago de Compostela to Negreia (James)
Day 32: Santiago de Compostela to Negreia
14 Miles
Total: 502.5 Miles
Waking up on time this morning wasn't exactly the easiest task. Our day in Santiago was full and although the official mileage was low, our hostel, the Semenario Belvis, was well over 1km from the plaza and town center. That kind of walking adds up, especially when you walk back and forth three separate times yesterday like I did. Usually when we get to a town we grab a bed, take a nap, explore a bit, eat and then relax until it is time to go to bed. Not in Santiago, and especially not when Santiago is in full swing festival. We all thoroughly enjoyed it. From the light show (thanks Bree for staying up late to make sure we could get in) to the almost surreal nature in which you would run into other pilgrims you knew in the city, like a cast of characters all returning to the stage in the final scene, it was as some may put it, a perfect way to end.
However, we are going to call it good at the ocean. I like the idea of reaching a point in which there is a clear finish and when I say I walked across Spain, I want to really mean it. Only 5% of pilgrims continue on to Finisterre, which along with the Camino itself, has it's roots in even the pre-Christian times in Spain. It's only three days, which after an adventure like this, seems like nothing.
Returning from trips like these can often be difficult. There is a pace of life, a rhythm, that is deeply engrained and a return to "normalcy" can be frustrating. The best part of our Camino might not have been what was here, but what was not. We have been fortunate to live for the past 32 days in childlike wonder, always in the present moment, away from stress, bills, the constant stream of text messages, school, television, advertisements, traffic...the list could go on forever. All of this returns when we get back. And it hits you all at the same time, like when someone turns on music without knowing the volume is at full blast. I am hoping the next three days to the coast, our time in Madrid, the flight back to Washington DC, and the flight back to Portland on August 5th will give us enough time to really reflect and help with that transition.
So those are the thoughts going on in my mind, but the reality is that I have to wake up two teenagers will very little sleep and get them moving towards the coast, some 53 miles away. Not easy. I knew they were going to be a bit slow today getting up, but it was like watching people in slow motion. I joined Bree outside, who had been waiting for about an hour. We hoped things would speed up a bit as we got moving. Sure enough, it did and we were back to climbing through the dense Eucalyptus forests that surround Santiago. In fact, things were going so well that Auna and I blasted up and past a few other pilgrims as we climbed. We settled into a quick pace, relying upon 500 miles of walking under our belts and the phenomenal shape we are now in. Deija was close behind, that is until she stopped to remove a fleece top. That was just enough time for Auna and I to round a corner and move around a large tractor blocking the path. There were our trusty yellow arrows pointing the way, but they were difficult to see. Auna and I spotted them pretty quickly, but Deija, now not within sight of us, didn't. She headed straight down a hill and had to be directed back to the trail by a kind local in a car. I found all of this out, of course, after I panicked when Bree came up the trail 25 minutes later reporting that she had not seen Deija. "What? she's not with you?". Now, we have made it 500 miles without getting seriousy lost, and I didn't want to start now, so I ran back up over the hill hoping she just stepped off the trail to go to the bathroom. My gut instinct threw my mind back to that spot with the tractor, though. Oh, when I mentioned "phenomenal shape" earlier, that was just for walking and apparently does not apply to running. My heart and lungs were exploding the entire way up. When I neared the crest, I saw Deija round the corner and my stomach, which had occupied the narrow space around my neck ever since Bree showed up without her, returned to it's normal position.
All together again, we traveled further up the road through tiny villages and towards our destination of Negreia and it's small government run hostel. Auna and Deija entertained themselves, and me briefly, with a rewording of the 12 Days of Christmas to apply to their Camino experience. They sang it to me, all of it, even after I specifically requested the abridged version where you just start at the end. I must admit, it was cute.
As I write, we are a mere 40 miles from Finisterre and "the end of the earth". Time to go to bed and get some rest so we can hit the road running. Scratch that, we'll just walk.
Thanks again for all the comments. We are glad you enjoy reading!
James
14 Miles
Total: 502.5 Miles
Waking up on time this morning wasn't exactly the easiest task. Our day in Santiago was full and although the official mileage was low, our hostel, the Semenario Belvis, was well over 1km from the plaza and town center. That kind of walking adds up, especially when you walk back and forth three separate times yesterday like I did. Usually when we get to a town we grab a bed, take a nap, explore a bit, eat and then relax until it is time to go to bed. Not in Santiago, and especially not when Santiago is in full swing festival. We all thoroughly enjoyed it. From the light show (thanks Bree for staying up late to make sure we could get in) to the almost surreal nature in which you would run into other pilgrims you knew in the city, like a cast of characters all returning to the stage in the final scene, it was as some may put it, a perfect way to end.
However, we are going to call it good at the ocean. I like the idea of reaching a point in which there is a clear finish and when I say I walked across Spain, I want to really mean it. Only 5% of pilgrims continue on to Finisterre, which along with the Camino itself, has it's roots in even the pre-Christian times in Spain. It's only three days, which after an adventure like this, seems like nothing.
Returning from trips like these can often be difficult. There is a pace of life, a rhythm, that is deeply engrained and a return to "normalcy" can be frustrating. The best part of our Camino might not have been what was here, but what was not. We have been fortunate to live for the past 32 days in childlike wonder, always in the present moment, away from stress, bills, the constant stream of text messages, school, television, advertisements, traffic...the list could go on forever. All of this returns when we get back. And it hits you all at the same time, like when someone turns on music without knowing the volume is at full blast. I am hoping the next three days to the coast, our time in Madrid, the flight back to Washington DC, and the flight back to Portland on August 5th will give us enough time to really reflect and help with that transition.
So those are the thoughts going on in my mind, but the reality is that I have to wake up two teenagers will very little sleep and get them moving towards the coast, some 53 miles away. Not easy. I knew they were going to be a bit slow today getting up, but it was like watching people in slow motion. I joined Bree outside, who had been waiting for about an hour. We hoped things would speed up a bit as we got moving. Sure enough, it did and we were back to climbing through the dense Eucalyptus forests that surround Santiago. In fact, things were going so well that Auna and I blasted up and past a few other pilgrims as we climbed. We settled into a quick pace, relying upon 500 miles of walking under our belts and the phenomenal shape we are now in. Deija was close behind, that is until she stopped to remove a fleece top. That was just enough time for Auna and I to round a corner and move around a large tractor blocking the path. There were our trusty yellow arrows pointing the way, but they were difficult to see. Auna and I spotted them pretty quickly, but Deija, now not within sight of us, didn't. She headed straight down a hill and had to be directed back to the trail by a kind local in a car. I found all of this out, of course, after I panicked when Bree came up the trail 25 minutes later reporting that she had not seen Deija. "What? she's not with you?". Now, we have made it 500 miles without getting seriousy lost, and I didn't want to start now, so I ran back up over the hill hoping she just stepped off the trail to go to the bathroom. My gut instinct threw my mind back to that spot with the tractor, though. Oh, when I mentioned "phenomenal shape" earlier, that was just for walking and apparently does not apply to running. My heart and lungs were exploding the entire way up. When I neared the crest, I saw Deija round the corner and my stomach, which had occupied the narrow space around my neck ever since Bree showed up without her, returned to it's normal position.
All together again, we traveled further up the road through tiny villages and towards our destination of Negreia and it's small government run hostel. Auna and Deija entertained themselves, and me briefly, with a rewording of the 12 Days of Christmas to apply to their Camino experience. They sang it to me, all of it, even after I specifically requested the abridged version where you just start at the end. I must admit, it was cute.
As I write, we are a mere 40 miles from Finisterre and "the end of the earth". Time to go to bed and get some rest so we can hit the road running. Scratch that, we'll just walk.
Thanks again for all the comments. We are glad you enjoy reading!
James
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Day 31: Arco de Pino to Santiago de Compostela (Deija)
Day 31: Arco de Pino to Santiago de Compostela
12.5 Miles
488.5 Miles
Today Auna and I had *planned* on waking ourselves up early and making the hike into Santiago finish faster than calculated.
This didn't happen...
Mr. March woke both of us up at 5:45, this was late. Everyone else seemed to be awake and out of the hostel and we weren't. This is quite frightening, the thought of not having a place to sleep does that to you. Mr. March assured us that we would be fine bed wise, it was the lines to receive the certificate, and the people being everywhere that were going to be a problem. The only lame thing about that is, we can't really avoid the large crowds of people and the lines. It was the day of the festival. July 25th. EVERYONE was going to be in Santiago. Devout pilgrims who planned to arrive on this day, new pilgrims with the same initial plan, tourists, more tourists, locals, and then, us. All in the same place at once and really enjoying themselves...at least I was.
Once we received our certificates, we went to rest on some steps near the cathedral. We met up with our friend Min (which was super exciting) and he sat with us. Min began to show us a video of the light show that had happened at the cathedral the night before which we had missed, and Auna and I were acting like children in a candy store almost instantly.
"Ooooh! Whoa!"
"Ohmygod. Oh. Oh!"
"That is so freaking awesome! Oh, wow!"
"Di-did you see that!?"
With ten minutes of video left Mr. March decides to let us sit and enjoy ourselves while he runs off and completes a few errands, but before he leaves he hands both Auna and I a small stack of letters that are from our family and friends. Our mothers, siblings, best two friends, two favorite teachers, and Auna's stepfather all wrote to us before the trip, and we were now able to read the letters (of which we knew nothing about) because we had finished.
We were finally to Santiago.
We were here in one piece.
We were happy.
We made it.
Let me say that again, "WE FREAKING MADE IT!"
I don't know what to think now... I loved reading the letters from my family and friends/teachers. It was great being able to hear their voices telling us to be proud of ourselves, happy that we accomplished something this big, and just to say hi in general.
Tyser's nicknames for Auna and I were a reminder of what type of person he really is. "Pain in the butt Zavala"? Really? Thanks Tyser. "Blister foot Godinez"? Wow. Crimson's letters to us reminded us of being mindful and also remembering that she loved us. I love you too, Crisman! :)
My mom and brothers letters made me slightly depressed on this happy day. I'm not blaming anyone...but why do you have this effect on me? Nainoa, your letter was the sweetest, cutest, most amazing this ever. I miss you so much, and I can't wait to see you. Mom, thank you so much, for everything, you have been there for me, and I miss you so much it's not even funny. I love you both! :)
Jessi, you're one of the most amazing friends I could ever ask for. Even though we have some differences in opinion, I know that we can get through them together. Because we're a force that no one shall mess with. I love you! *Feed the bird!*
Jasmine. Jasmine, Jasmine, Jasmine... I don't even know what to say. We will talk about this when I get home, there is a long discussion that we need to have. I am in disappointed in you young lady. HOW. DARE. YOU. Make me love you this much. Hey, btw, we totally need hang when I get home. Discussion time! :) *Claps and cheers!*
Back to my day.
Two. Words. "Light. Show."
The most freaking amazing thing. Ever. They turn off all the lights in the cathedrals' square and portray this 3D light show on the cathedrals front. So awesome. Don't even have words. Just search the video on YouTube. It won't be as cool...but it can try. They had a freaking dragon, Mom! So cooooool! Seriously. I was flipping out. Not only did they have a dragon, and awesome 3D-ness, they had scores from amazing action movies... And I recognized the songs! I'm pretty sure they just borrowed Hans Zimmers most awesome pieces and put them together. So great. Ahhhh.
After the light show was over we had approximately eight minutes to get ourselves back to the hostel before it locked the gates and we slept outside. RUN!
We didn't make it in time, but someone opened the door to the side of the gates after we banged on it a few times. Whew. Close call. It's past midnight though, time for bed. We leave for Finisterre tomorrow morning, but hopefully not too early. :)
12.5 Miles
488.5 Miles
Today Auna and I had *planned* on waking ourselves up early and making the hike into Santiago finish faster than calculated.
This didn't happen...
Mr. March woke both of us up at 5:45, this was late. Everyone else seemed to be awake and out of the hostel and we weren't. This is quite frightening, the thought of not having a place to sleep does that to you. Mr. March assured us that we would be fine bed wise, it was the lines to receive the certificate, and the people being everywhere that were going to be a problem. The only lame thing about that is, we can't really avoid the large crowds of people and the lines. It was the day of the festival. July 25th. EVERYONE was going to be in Santiago. Devout pilgrims who planned to arrive on this day, new pilgrims with the same initial plan, tourists, more tourists, locals, and then, us. All in the same place at once and really enjoying themselves...at least I was.
Once we received our certificates, we went to rest on some steps near the cathedral. We met up with our friend Min (which was super exciting) and he sat with us. Min began to show us a video of the light show that had happened at the cathedral the night before which we had missed, and Auna and I were acting like children in a candy store almost instantly.
"Ooooh! Whoa!"
"Ohmygod. Oh. Oh!"
"That is so freaking awesome! Oh, wow!"
"Di-did you see that!?"
With ten minutes of video left Mr. March decides to let us sit and enjoy ourselves while he runs off and completes a few errands, but before he leaves he hands both Auna and I a small stack of letters that are from our family and friends. Our mothers, siblings, best two friends, two favorite teachers, and Auna's stepfather all wrote to us before the trip, and we were now able to read the letters (of which we knew nothing about) because we had finished.
We were finally to Santiago.
We were here in one piece.
We were happy.
We made it.
Let me say that again, "WE FREAKING MADE IT!"
I don't know what to think now... I loved reading the letters from my family and friends/teachers. It was great being able to hear their voices telling us to be proud of ourselves, happy that we accomplished something this big, and just to say hi in general.
Tyser's nicknames for Auna and I were a reminder of what type of person he really is. "Pain in the butt Zavala"? Really? Thanks Tyser. "Blister foot Godinez"? Wow. Crimson's letters to us reminded us of being mindful and also remembering that she loved us. I love you too, Crisman! :)
My mom and brothers letters made me slightly depressed on this happy day. I'm not blaming anyone...but why do you have this effect on me? Nainoa, your letter was the sweetest, cutest, most amazing this ever. I miss you so much, and I can't wait to see you. Mom, thank you so much, for everything, you have been there for me, and I miss you so much it's not even funny. I love you both! :)
Jessi, you're one of the most amazing friends I could ever ask for. Even though we have some differences in opinion, I know that we can get through them together. Because we're a force that no one shall mess with. I love you! *Feed the bird!*
Jasmine. Jasmine, Jasmine, Jasmine... I don't even know what to say. We will talk about this when I get home, there is a long discussion that we need to have. I am in disappointed in you young lady. HOW. DARE. YOU. Make me love you this much. Hey, btw, we totally need hang when I get home. Discussion time! :) *Claps and cheers!*
Back to my day.
Two. Words. "Light. Show."
The most freaking amazing thing. Ever. They turn off all the lights in the cathedrals' square and portray this 3D light show on the cathedrals front. So awesome. Don't even have words. Just search the video on YouTube. It won't be as cool...but it can try. They had a freaking dragon, Mom! So cooooool! Seriously. I was flipping out. Not only did they have a dragon, and awesome 3D-ness, they had scores from amazing action movies... And I recognized the songs! I'm pretty sure they just borrowed Hans Zimmers most awesome pieces and put them together. So great. Ahhhh.
After the light show was over we had approximately eight minutes to get ourselves back to the hostel before it locked the gates and we slept outside. RUN!
We didn't make it in time, but someone opened the door to the side of the gates after we banged on it a few times. Whew. Close call. It's past midnight though, time for bed. We leave for Finisterre tomorrow morning, but hopefully not too early. :)
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Day 30: Aruza to Arco de Pino (Auna)
Day 30: Aruza to Arco de Pino
11.5 miles
Total: 476 miles
I woke up this morning already feeling accomplished even though we haven't walked into Santiago. We have came so far and it gives me this spectacular feelings throughout my body when I look at a map and see the results. That's the reason for our early mornings, achey bodies, and tired eyes and it was all worth it. This whole thing really makes me feel like I can do anything. ANYONE can do just about anything as long as you want it bad enough and never give up.
Our walk was over very early today. We reach the town that we have had planned and it was time to make a decision, shall we keep walking to the town 3 miles before Santiago or stay. Sarah, Bree and March all wanted to keep walking, Deija wanted to stay, and at first I wanted to stay but then I just didn't care which way we went. Sarah and Bree kept walking on and March stayed with us. This really made us feel like crap, I didn't want to hold March back from walking more. At first I was bummed and continued to feel crappy but then my attitude changed and since we were staying here I was going to make the best out of it. Deija and I threw our packs in line and went out to explore. We picked one of the MANY cafes and had some coffee as we usually do. I'm definitely going to miss this place... That is, until I come back (:
Still feeling guilty for holding March back we went to the pasteleria and picked out a bunch of different doughnuts and a sort of cake. I got it wrapped up and we set it on Marchs' bed with a note saying how much we appreciate him. We really do. He is giving us unbelievable opportunities and every day holds a life lesson and there is so much culture here.
That reminds me.. I have met a Spanish guy named Alvaro. The first night we met we tried to communicate because our bunks were by each others but it was to hard. He didn't understand really anything I said. So we go one the rest of the day and the next just simply waving, saying "Hello" and "Goodbye", and bumping arms. Eventually he makes it clear to me that he can understand better if I write stuff down. We end up sitting on his bed passing a few papers full of notes back and forth, he would occasionally pull out his phone and translate words but we made it work! He's from Madrid and he is walking the Camino with his older brother and his older brothers friend. I think it's really cool that we figured out a way to communicate, language isn't a boundary here.
Tomorrow we will be arriving in Santiago, there is so much excitement from my head to the tips of my toes. I have done my best to not take anything for granted, I am trying to take as much of this experience in as I can. This summer will not be the end of my adventuring, that's for sure.
11.5 miles
Total: 476 miles
I woke up this morning already feeling accomplished even though we haven't walked into Santiago. We have came so far and it gives me this spectacular feelings throughout my body when I look at a map and see the results. That's the reason for our early mornings, achey bodies, and tired eyes and it was all worth it. This whole thing really makes me feel like I can do anything. ANYONE can do just about anything as long as you want it bad enough and never give up.
Our walk was over very early today. We reach the town that we have had planned and it was time to make a decision, shall we keep walking to the town 3 miles before Santiago or stay. Sarah, Bree and March all wanted to keep walking, Deija wanted to stay, and at first I wanted to stay but then I just didn't care which way we went. Sarah and Bree kept walking on and March stayed with us. This really made us feel like crap, I didn't want to hold March back from walking more. At first I was bummed and continued to feel crappy but then my attitude changed and since we were staying here I was going to make the best out of it. Deija and I threw our packs in line and went out to explore. We picked one of the MANY cafes and had some coffee as we usually do. I'm definitely going to miss this place... That is, until I come back (:
Still feeling guilty for holding March back we went to the pasteleria and picked out a bunch of different doughnuts and a sort of cake. I got it wrapped up and we set it on Marchs' bed with a note saying how much we appreciate him. We really do. He is giving us unbelievable opportunities and every day holds a life lesson and there is so much culture here.
That reminds me.. I have met a Spanish guy named Alvaro. The first night we met we tried to communicate because our bunks were by each others but it was to hard. He didn't understand really anything I said. So we go one the rest of the day and the next just simply waving, saying "Hello" and "Goodbye", and bumping arms. Eventually he makes it clear to me that he can understand better if I write stuff down. We end up sitting on his bed passing a few papers full of notes back and forth, he would occasionally pull out his phone and translate words but we made it work! He's from Madrid and he is walking the Camino with his older brother and his older brothers friend. I think it's really cool that we figured out a way to communicate, language isn't a boundary here.
Tomorrow we will be arriving in Santiago, there is so much excitement from my head to the tips of my toes. I have done my best to not take anything for granted, I am trying to take as much of this experience in as I can. This summer will not be the end of my adventuring, that's for sure.
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