Unbelievable--we have passed the centre of the Camino--over 400 km. Now it feels like we are walking toward home rather than away! We are still on the Meseta, which is kind of like walking the backroads of Perth County (only dustier) until you reach over 40 000 steps each day. What the Camino does have, that PC doesn't, is little hobbit houses. The sun was just rising as we entered Moratinos and spotted these wee dwellings carved into the side of the hill. They are actually Bodegas or little storage caves. But, I wonder, might Bilbo might still live there?😄 Another thing I wonder about is the motivation of pilgrims that walk the Camino REPEATEDLY:
• We are alone in a bar waiting for breakfast--only 15 minutes more until the croissants are fully baked. They arrive warm on the plate with soft, gooey chocolate sneaking out the sides. He comes in. He is clearly older than us. He carries an unusual staff. He tells us he buys the same staff every year from the same lady in Logrono and leaves it in Santiago before heading back to Ireland. "I know she knows I know it is made in China, but it is my tradition", he laughs. How many times? Fourteen since he retired. He says it keeps him sharp physically, mentally, and spiritually. Buen Camino. • We are eating again. Breakfast with fresh pressed orange juice. She is German. She has walked the Camino every year since 2007--but only part of it. She walks 15 days every year. She started from her small town in Germany. Next year her walk will take her all the way to Santiago. She will have walked over 3000 km. She says that each year it focuses her. Her service with the Catholic Church is important to her. Buen Camino. Well, today I said goodbye to my hiking shoes. It is clear that the swelling in my feet will not decrease enough in the next three weeks if I keep walking.They will reach Santiago before me by mail! Buen Camino my instruments of torture--see you when I get there. You are Always in My Prayers. Love Mom. Dear H.S. Friends, Couldn't resist a little trip to the roof of the Bodega. Do you think it would be a cool place to hang out? Sincerely, Flat S
8 Comments
Nano
9/26/2017 09:06:17 am
Congrats! I hope the turn home makes it feel slightly less arduous. We can't wait for you to be home. We all miss you terribly.
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Mom
9/26/2017 09:46:47 am
You would think I was getting stronger...BUT??? Flat-ish for a few more days and then we head into the mountains again.
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HomeschoolS,L mom
9/26/2017 09:25:58 am
It really looks like a hobbit house! Did you look inside?
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Ray
9/26/2017 10:02:40 am
No we did not get to look inside. I like to imagine it just like Bilbo's Hobbit hole.
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The other Mrs. H
9/26/2017 09:31:13 am
Does this mean the trek ends for you Di? Or are you going barefoot?
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Diane
9/26/2017 09:50:06 am
I went to a sports store in Burgos and saw a guy--I know it sounds shadddy.....ha, ha. He suggested these soft Columbia sports shoes with cut outs in the top. I think I should be pretty good as long as it doesn't rain. I mostly keep my feet up after the walk for the swelling and Ray has bought supplies to redress them every day. So, Lord willing, I too will make it to Santiago......oh, and Tylenol😜
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Tyler Schaefer
9/28/2017 06:17:46 pm
So how much pain are your feet in?
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Diane
9/28/2017 09:51:14 pm
I use my walking stick like a cane to Keep the weight off....they numb up after a while.
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Ray & Diane HomewoodSharing the Blessing of Travel Archives
January 2018
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