When we arrived at our albergue last night, the bunk next to ours had a teddy bear laying on it which made us quite curious. Fortunately during our breakfast today our curiosity was satiated when we met its owner - a lady from Texas. She had recently lost her husband and daughter, both to cancer, and decided that she wanted to walk the Camino, probably as a way to help her heal. Her grandchildren had given her the teddy bear to take with on her journey. She had not really done any walking prior to this trip so she was walking quite slowly. It is our hope that we will see her at some point when we arrive in Santiago so we know she made it okay.
 |
| The Teddy Bear |
I am not sure, but I believe there is some significance to snails on the camino, perhaps it is that they carry everything they own on their backs just as we are. This morning we came upon two of them making their way across the path ever so slowly. It reminded me that even if you move at a snails pace, as long as you are moving forward you will eventually reach your destination. Unless you gets squashed, as we discovered later.
 |
| Snails on the Camino |
Today was a day of rescue for Fred. FIrst a shirt he left behind in our albergue was picked by a group of German ladies who have been on the path with us. They had stayed at our albergue the night before. As we walked by them in the first village on our path, one of them asked us to look at her pack. Lo and behold, what was there but Fred's shirt! They knew they would see us along the path so took it with them. It was a good thing too because he only has one other short sleeve shirt.
Later he was rescued by some other peregrinos when he left his trekking poles behind. This time it was a Spanish couple who had been leap-frogging for a few days. We heard someone yelling, hey peregrinos only to turn around and see him running toward us with Fred's poles. Fred decided that he does not want to live out of a backpack forever. For me, I find it rather freeing to have everything I really need on my back.
We passed some interesting historical scenery today. Part of our path took us on an old Roman bridge and road made of rocks. We are starting to get closer to the Riojas region so are beginning to see some vineyards and also some olive groves. Felt a little like I was on our farm as we passed wheat field
We passed through a little village, Villatuerta, where we came upon three little girls, one pushing a stroller with her baby doll. Reminded me that kids are the same wherever you go. The little girl pushing the stroller showed me up when I said "Ola" and she responded with "Hello"! Just past them, there was a group of children getting drinks from a fountain painted like a clown. They posed for me and then sent us on our way with "Buen Camino", probably the best version of this I have heard thus far!
Between Villatuerta and Estella, there was a very old church, Archangel Miguel, built in 1060 that we stopped to check out. It was very cool as previous peregrinos had left behind testaments of their passage - rocks and snail shells. It is so amazing to think about how many other people have traveled this ancient path. Sometimes it can be quite emotional.
 |
| Church Offerings |
Our descent into Estella was past what appeared to be peasant farm territory. Horses were virtual lawn movers, tied up in an area to eat the grass in the ditches only to be moved, we assume, to a new area. Seems easier and certainly quieter than the proverbial lawn mowers we use.
Altough today was the easiest day for terrain, I think my body has begun to realize that we are not just on vacation and it is telling me it did not sign up for such an adventure. Aches, although certainly not serious, moved from feet to hips to knee to......
By our arrival in Estella we were ready to call it a day. Found the municipal albergue to obtain one of the last beds, much to our relief. We showered, washed clothes and as we were waiting for the machine to complete it's cycle, who did we see but our friends Jean Robert & Ayala, John Sebastian and Steen & Inga, all with whom we started our journey in Orisson. It is truly amazing how quickly one connects with people who travel along this path with us. Sharing bedrooms, bathrooms and essentially see each other in your underclothes, it has a unique way of breaking down barriers.
We went to dinner with Jean Robert and Ayala and then went back to get our clothes finished up and get ready for the 10:00 lights out. As I was getting ready to get into my bunk, someone grabbed my leg. It was none other than Inja. It seems we were bunkmates once again! A great way to end a wonderful day, in the company of Camino friends.
Lesson of the Day: Even though you might move slowly, as long as you keep moving forward, you will eventually make your destination. One step at at time.
Posted with Blogsy
No comments:
Post a Comment