Well boys and girls we are still marching on. We did about 19 km (11 miles) today and are still able to walk without too much pain and surprisingly, we have no blisters yet-yea!Today we felt that this was our critical pain evaluation day. If we were going to feel bad it would be today. A few of our fellow travelers have managed to get those nasty blisters, sore knees, shint splints, and some back aches. I knew this was a manifestation day for pain. They were all troopers however and made it back in one piece, albeit a little sore.
This morning we were transferred back to Triacastela to begin where we left off yesterday afternoon. The handiest thing... having a van follow you from time to time, check on you, bring you extra water, let you drop off things, pick up things, or just be able sit in the van for a couple of minutes during our twice a day check points with our fearless leaders-Alex and Jason. We are blessed to have two of the most talented, fun, laid back, and all around fun guides to have lead you through this unknown maze of an ancient pathway which lies directly under the Milky Way Galaxy. I know I am folowing in the same steps as Charlemagne, Chaucer, Queen Isabella, King Ferdinand, The Templar Knights, and even Shirley MacLaine. She was the original catalyst for bringing us to this sacred trail through her book "The Camino". We just opted for a little easier way of doing it. I call it the "Country Club Camino", but still not a walk in the park either.
We truly are having a wonderful experience. Today was just magnificent with blue skies, a nice breeze, 60 deree temperature, and best of all no rain. We did get to walk today through a scenic, yet treacherous at times pathway which meandered through creek beds and small villages. Todays path had a split that you could take in two different ways. One took you through San Xil where the views were spectacular, while the other trail passed by the ancient monastery of Samos along the river valley. We opted for the first one because of the beauty of the walk and its diversity of the different trails. So as a special gift, our guides are taking us back to Samos this evening with the van where we will tour this ancient edifice, stay for Vespers with the Monks, and then be with them as they say the evenng Mass. If you have never heard monks chant the vespers, it is definitely a very awesome and inspiring experience.
Following our monastery tour and vespers we will be breaking bread with our fellow travelers. This will involve again a culinary experience that has been worth the trip in itself. The Spanish wines are also a delicacy with no hangovers following the next morning.
Tomorrow we begin our longest day where we travel from Sarria to Lestedo which covers 22 km (13 miles). This day we will cross the 100 km marker which is the official milestone where all pilgrims must now walk from, to receive the official "Compostela" from the Cathedral in Santiago. At this point, I will crawl across the finish line in the town square if I have to. In commeration of our walk, and because of our earlier trials, I will be wearing my official "red shirt" into Santiago. I rewashed it again last night, and will retire it until our triumphant walk into this great city.
Again, we love you all for joining us on our journey. Please feel free to add your comments on our blog, if you feel so inclined. Judy's painted toes with the scallop shell on them is now officially on the tour's website picture page under "toe-tally Camino". So we now have that going for us!
Take much care and Buen Camino.
Dave and Judy
Well boys and girls we are still marching on. We did about 19 km (11 miles) today and are still able to walk without too much pain and surprisingly, we have no blisters yet-yea!Today we felt that this was our critical pain evaluation day. If we were going to feel bad it would be today. A few of our fellow travelers have managed to get those nasty blisters, sore knees, shint splints, and some back aches. I knew this was a manifestation day for pain. They were all troopers however and made it back in one piece, albeit a little sore.
This morning we were transferred back to Triacastela to begin where we left off yesterday afternoon. The handiest thing... having a van follow you from time to time, check on you, bring you extra water, let you drop off things, pick up things, or just be able sit in the van for a couple of minutes during our twice a day check points with our fearless leaders-Alex and Jason. We are blessed to have two of the most talented, fun, laid back, and all around fun guides to have lead you through this unknown maze of an ancient pathway which lies directly under the Milky Way Galaxy. I know I am folowing in the same steps as Charlemagne, Chaucer, Queen Isabella, King Ferdinand, The Templar Knights, and even Shirley MacLaine. She was the original catalyst for bringing us to this sacred trail through her book "The Camino". We just opted for a little easier way of doing it. I call it the "Country Club Camino", but still not a walk in the park either.
We truly are having a wonderful experience. Today was just magnificent with blue skies, a nice breeze, 60 deree temperature, and best of all no rain. We did get to walk today through a scenic, yet treacherous at times pathway which meandered through creek beds and small villages. Todays path had a split that you could take in two different ways. One took you through San Xil where the views were spectacular, while the other trail passed by the ancient monastery of Samos along the river valley. We opted for the first one because of the beauty of the walk and its diversity of the different trails. So as a special gift, our guides are taking us back to Samos this evening with the van where we will tour this ancient edifice, stay for Vespers with the Monks, and then be with them as they say the evenng Mass. If you have never heard monks chant the vespers, it is definitely a very awesome and inspiring experience.
Following our monastery tour and vespers we will be breaking bread with our fellow travelers. This will involve again a culinary experience that has been worth the trip in itself. The Spanish wines are also a delicacy with no hangovers following the next morning.
Tomorrow we begin our longest day where we travel from Sarria to Lestedo which covers 22 km (13 miles). This day we will cross the 100 km marker which is the official milestone where all pilgrims must now walk from, to receive the official "Compostela" from the Cathedral in Santiago. At this point, I will crawl across the finish line in the town square if I have to. In commeration of our walk, and because of our earlier trials, I will be wearing my official "red shirt" into Santiago. I rewashed it again last night, and will retire it until our triumphant walk into this great city.
Again, we love you all for joining us on our journey. Please feel free to add your comments on our blog, if you feel so inclined. Judy's painted toes with the scallop shell on them is now officially on the tour's website picture page under "toe-tally Camino". So we now have that going for us!
Take much care and Buen Camino.
Dave and Judy
Ahh, the Red Shirt will have a place in history, in great company I'm sure with Judy's toenail paintings. :-)
ReplyDeleteI'd love to be with you for the vespers and chanting and Mass. Can't wait to hear about all this in person.
Hardly knew you without the red shirt.
ReplyDeleteJudy will be known for more than her toenails,
I'm sure.
You won't be crawling over the finish line,
you have done so well so far, you will run!!
Keep pushing on. As in life, it's the journey, rather then the destination, that makes it all worth while.
ReplyDeleteThis is a fantastic journey for you guys! I am glad to see Dave remembered the Boy Scout motto be prepared carry plastic for emergencies. (OH that my motto) Have Fun.
ReplyDeleteWhat happened? Come back! I miss you already - you can't be telling a story like this and just quit...leave us hanging. Hope you guys are ok!
ReplyDeleteYou owe us a couple of days of stories.
ReplyDeleteHope you are keeping notes.