I am currently in an internet cafe, to my right local spaniards coming in and out for morning coffee, to my left the boys are flipping through a mass amount of Camino pictures on the computers. My ´small walk for a BIG cause´is now over and our last day was AMAZING!. We started out early and were expecting to get rained on for most of the day. So before leaving we took 15min to tie bags around our ankles. Paul mentuioned that often when you take the time to protect yourself from rain it often won´t and so either way rain or not we rustled in the dark to protect our feet. Turns out Paul was right and we were all so thankful for not getting rain. Still the first 20km we walked through clouds which was very disheartening (wasn´t it now Martin haha) considering that we knew that ocean was close and that sans clouds it would be in view. After walking 20km we finaly got out of the clouds and stopped for breakfast and it was not long after that the clouds started to break and the sun came out..... and then the ocean. It was beautiful and we knew we were almost done.. at this point we were all in much better moods (weren´t we Martin ;). We walked a few km along the boardwalk into Fisterre, the water a brilliant blue and the sand so fine. We were all smiles as we god a bed in the hostel and our last certificate for finishing the treck to the ´end of the earth´.
After being settled we went for a swim and a nap at the beach, had one last family dinner, reunited with friends we had lost along the way and got ready for our last 3km walk to the point (Cabo - km 0). At the point there is tradition to watch the sun set and burn your clothes that you brought with you along the camino. I burnt and entire outfit and sat on a rock cliff to watch the sun set. We had some wine and cookies, a man played the guitar and the point was scattered with pods of peaceful pilgrims reflecting and laughing with friends of our journies now complete. After sitting around listening to music in the light of candles and the fire we said our fairwells and our final ´Buen Camino´s¨ (which was the norm as we passed pilgrims for the last month), but now it was the Camino of life. The joy on peoples faces, the fist pumps and the hugs tole me that everyone had gotten a lot from the Camino and although a sense of accomplish was evident sadness lingered at the same time. I have met all sorts of people, some traveling with illnesses, a man who walked 4700km from Italy, a man who got everything robbed and still continued, families, couples, and an enourmous amount of strong individuals. Human strength is evident here, and although I have tried to give you a glimps words truly can not describe the people I have met, the storries shared, and the memorries made. I can only recomment that you each consider doing the Camino de Santiago.. or find other oportunities to connect and learn from people in a similar fassion.
Being a part of the Be an Athlete for Africa campagn has been an incredible experience.... I would like to thank everyone I have met along the way, all those who have sponsored my event and intern have helped provide real oportunities for youth in Africa, all those who have passed my msg along, and all those who will consider starting their own events.
It is NOT to late to donate, spread the word or participate! You TOO can be an Athlete for Africa! www.myathletesforafrica.com/milamiguel
I have some shout outs for people I have met along the way and they will come in the blogs that follow!
Much love... mila
PS keep posted for pictures that will be added asap!
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Friday, August 1, 2008
Day 30 con´t and 31
(written in my notebook after having connected to the internet my first day leaving Santiago)
As I write in the dusk there is already someone snorring, but I thought before I go to sleep I would take note about 2 conversations I had this evening. On my way into Santiago this morning I met Martin (Germany) and Paul (Ireland) who were also continuing to Finisterre. We parted ways this morning expecting to reunite here and so we did. Earlier this evening Martin sat speaking with another German man as Paul and I chatted. Paul stopped for a moment and told me to look at the man Martin was speaking with... very simply he said ¨it is wonderful to watch him listen¨ I thought Paul could not have said it better, there was something simple and calming about what he said and he was right this man had more expression when he listened then when he spoke... we sat there for a few moments silently watching him listen..and for some reason it was just one of those moments that I won´t forget.. try it sometime hahaah.. On a lighter note Paul also shared with me his desparate attempt to making ear plugs in the dark. Not able to sleep and not yet having purchased earplugs he got toilet paper and vaseline .. and you can imagine how that went down in the middle of the night. Whether theyh worked or if it was simply a placebo effect we are unsure, but we both sat laughing at his remedy for the snorers. I also reunited with Marcello and Italian man I spoke of earlier who walked with a young Italian Actrice. He is 77 and has Parkinsons and had not only walked to Santiago but continued to Finisterre. Tonight he is sleeping inside on a chair aafter a couple took his spot on the coach. I was concerned and offered him the blanket I had to sleep outside with and he kindly said in English ¨take it easy¨. Which I believe meant please don´t worry. We speak in Spanish/ Italian/ French, so with his first attempt with english made me think that he really apreciated the concern but that he truly would be ok and so I simply told him to wake me if he needed anything. And with that we all went to sleep.
Day 31. Last night was a short sleep as the clouds rolled in and dampened my top blanket. I had not been cold during the night, but my hips these days feel like those of an old lady and the hard concrete was not eh most comfortable thing I have slept on this Camino. Nevertheless I awoke at 5:20 along with Paul and Martin who too could not sleep and so the three of us got up and left in the clouds by 6 am. Stopping at 8:30 for breakfast we had completed 12km and had 22 to go. We had some good conversation, I sang along with Paul´s Kereoke skills and we enjoyed the scenery of Galicia ( mt´s and forest). Breakfast was our only stop and we trecked along until we reached Olveiroa in hopes of not having to sleep in tents or outside... and we did it! we have beds tonight and will hopefully get a good nights sleep before our last 34km walk tomorrow. Although there is no internet or phones here I reckon I will be able to find something to eat, soooo here I go.... ( after dinner) Someone dirrected us to what I believe is the only other bar in this town for a good hearty meal.. and that it was.. Martin said it best today during dinner ¨there is nothing like walking 34km, having a good meal and a good sleep and then waking up to walk another 34 km have another good meal and another good night sleep¨. This has been life for the last 31 days, it will be veryh odd to be finished. For a monthe I have had nothing to worry about except for basic needs; food, shelter and hygiene. Although at time one or another may have been compromized I have spent an amazing month learning from so many people as life stories and those that have brought people to the Camino have been shared. Many people have expressed interest and curriosity about my T-shirt ¨Run, Skate, pass, shoot, kick , spike, catche, swim FOR AFRICA¨ and about the signe on my pack. I hope that I was able to spread the word and work of A 4 A while completing my ¨small walk for a BIG cause¨. I know that many people have said that they would do a fundraiser with their next treck and that they simply had not thought about it. With one day left to go I know that I have gained far more from my experience here then I have given. I am thankful for peopl like Adrian and Kieren who started the Gulu Walk in 2005. They were the inspiration that got me thinking that to help was really my only option.
Until tomorrow... Last but not least day 32
As I write in the dusk there is already someone snorring, but I thought before I go to sleep I would take note about 2 conversations I had this evening. On my way into Santiago this morning I met Martin (Germany) and Paul (Ireland) who were also continuing to Finisterre. We parted ways this morning expecting to reunite here and so we did. Earlier this evening Martin sat speaking with another German man as Paul and I chatted. Paul stopped for a moment and told me to look at the man Martin was speaking with... very simply he said ¨it is wonderful to watch him listen¨ I thought Paul could not have said it better, there was something simple and calming about what he said and he was right this man had more expression when he listened then when he spoke... we sat there for a few moments silently watching him listen..and for some reason it was just one of those moments that I won´t forget.. try it sometime hahaah.. On a lighter note Paul also shared with me his desparate attempt to making ear plugs in the dark. Not able to sleep and not yet having purchased earplugs he got toilet paper and vaseline .. and you can imagine how that went down in the middle of the night. Whether theyh worked or if it was simply a placebo effect we are unsure, but we both sat laughing at his remedy for the snorers. I also reunited with Marcello and Italian man I spoke of earlier who walked with a young Italian Actrice. He is 77 and has Parkinsons and had not only walked to Santiago but continued to Finisterre. Tonight he is sleeping inside on a chair aafter a couple took his spot on the coach. I was concerned and offered him the blanket I had to sleep outside with and he kindly said in English ¨take it easy¨. Which I believe meant please don´t worry. We speak in Spanish/ Italian/ French, so with his first attempt with english made me think that he really apreciated the concern but that he truly would be ok and so I simply told him to wake me if he needed anything. And with that we all went to sleep.
Day 31. Last night was a short sleep as the clouds rolled in and dampened my top blanket. I had not been cold during the night, but my hips these days feel like those of an old lady and the hard concrete was not eh most comfortable thing I have slept on this Camino. Nevertheless I awoke at 5:20 along with Paul and Martin who too could not sleep and so the three of us got up and left in the clouds by 6 am. Stopping at 8:30 for breakfast we had completed 12km and had 22 to go. We had some good conversation, I sang along with Paul´s Kereoke skills and we enjoyed the scenery of Galicia ( mt´s and forest). Breakfast was our only stop and we trecked along until we reached Olveiroa in hopes of not having to sleep in tents or outside... and we did it! we have beds tonight and will hopefully get a good nights sleep before our last 34km walk tomorrow. Although there is no internet or phones here I reckon I will be able to find something to eat, soooo here I go.... ( after dinner) Someone dirrected us to what I believe is the only other bar in this town for a good hearty meal.. and that it was.. Martin said it best today during dinner ¨there is nothing like walking 34km, having a good meal and a good sleep and then waking up to walk another 34 km have another good meal and another good night sleep¨. This has been life for the last 31 days, it will be veryh odd to be finished. For a monthe I have had nothing to worry about except for basic needs; food, shelter and hygiene. Although at time one or another may have been compromized I have spent an amazing month learning from so many people as life stories and those that have brought people to the Camino have been shared. Many people have expressed interest and curriosity about my T-shirt ¨Run, Skate, pass, shoot, kick , spike, catche, swim FOR AFRICA¨ and about the signe on my pack. I hope that I was able to spread the word and work of A 4 A while completing my ¨small walk for a BIG cause¨. I know that many people have said that they would do a fundraiser with their next treck and that they simply had not thought about it. With one day left to go I know that I have gained far more from my experience here then I have given. I am thankful for peopl like Adrian and Kieren who started the Gulu Walk in 2005. They were the inspiration that got me thinking that to help was really my only option.
Until tomorrow... Last but not least day 32
Saturday, July 26, 2008
continued from last blog
Sorry about that.. anyways after a couple chupitos my soul was warm and lets just say i slept like an angel (PS Rebecca and I are the angel´s of a young man from the Canary Islands.. at least that is what he calls us). The next morning we let for a 24km walk to Portomarin which at first I would have described as slow and silent. BUT after passing the 100km mark to Santiago we thought we would stop for our morning ¨cafe con leche grande¨and ths morning a piece of celebratory ¨tarta de Santiago¨. wow wow wee wow wow did the coffee and cake do us good! The next 14km was far from slow and silent; we each popped on our music for a few minutes, Rebecca took the lead and we might as well have been running, o maybe not running but compared to the morning saunter we were fast and furrious. We even finished our entrance to Portomarin up a large set of stairs Rocky styles.. it was pretty funny. Day 26 finished with a picnic in the park along with a huge group of Italian scouts.
Day 27 we woke up t 5 and left in half an hour in hopes of getting into the municiple hostel at Palas de Rei (which we did). The interesting/complicated thing at this point is the number of people doing the Camino. Many start in Sarria (111km away from Santiago) as 100km is all that is required to get your Compostela. Today we stopped to on a makeshift bench to have a quick bite to eat and in 5-10min 200 people probably passed us. It isn´t always like this.. but we were lost for words with the mass of people that morning. Fewer people travel with their packs and many take the bus out of convenience.. but for most of us the struggle remains part of the Camino and we would not let anyone advance our packs not even a meter for us.
Day 28 was an interesting day ahaha.. Rebecca and I had planned to wake up by 5 and leave by 5:30 to avoid the heat of a long 27km day. Well it was ten to 6 when we woke up and found that the rest of our group had kindly let us sleep in and left without us(on their behalf they thought we wanted to leave later). By 6:10 we were out of the door on march to try to catch up with our friends... but... 30min after walking and arriving into a town not exactly knowing where we were a kind gentlemen told us we were in Palas de Rei. Not knowing the size of the town and seeing a small group of pilgrims sitting, for a brief moment I thought we had done a full circle of the town and ended up back at hour hosted. Thankfully I was proven wrong when infact these pilgrims were waiting at a bus stop. A taxi driver redirected us to the camino and it wasn´t more then 30m ahead where we took a right turn and there it was... our hostel! We had left the town gone through the forest, a recreational area, over a river and some how ended up back in the same place. Thankfully at this point it was daylight and it didn´t take us long to find out where we had gone wrong. Although a bit frustrating in the morning we ended up laughing about it later once we caught up to our group and it turned out to be a cloudy day and there was no rush to reach our next town Arzua. Once we all arrived we made a last family dinner (pasta of course) as we were setting off to Monte de Gozo the next morning which houses up to a thousand pilgrims.
Day 29 to Monte de Gozo... it was a long day and though it was beautiful along the path in the forest it started to get a bit daunting as we crossed the main road several time on our windy path to Monte de Gozo. This was also the most rain we have had on the trip and I now know what i thought was water proof is maybe ... maybe water resistant as I arrived so wet i might as well have jumped in the shower with my clothes on haha. But we all got warmed up and did some laundry so we all walked dry into Santiago (now only 5km away) the next morning.
Day 30 Finally up to date. This morning we left on a quick 5km walk into Santiago the final destination of the Camino de Santiago and where I would leave my walking group behind as I continue to Finisterre. We got up early and were the first this morning to get our Compostelas (a cirtificate saying that we have completed the camino). I went to the Cathedral kissed the tomb of St. James ( Santiago) and heard them announce that two canadians had arrived into Santiago that morning along with the thousands of other pilgrims. The mass was beautifull and I will have to go into that more at a later date. After mass I said my goodbyes to my friends and I continued on my way. Leaving Santiago at 1:30 I knew I had a long day in the sun ahead of me, but I ran into Barbara a girl from Slovakia who I had met a week ago in Marjarin. So we arrived at 6:30 today and it looks like we are sleeping outside tonight. It is a small hostel and it is full as are the 6 tents outside and the rest of us will sleep under the overhang of the building.. I will let you know how it goes tomorrow ahah though i reckon it will be pretty funny.
2 days left and I will be finished my small walk for a BIG cause.. it will be wierd to wake up and not start walking.. but we will deal with that when the time comes. For the moment I am going to send a quick email to the friends I left in Santiago and hit up the grocery store as my tummy is eating itself haha.. hope all is well at home and that you were able to get through this massive post.
much love xoxox mila
Day 27 we woke up t 5 and left in half an hour in hopes of getting into the municiple hostel at Palas de Rei (which we did). The interesting/complicated thing at this point is the number of people doing the Camino. Many start in Sarria (111km away from Santiago) as 100km is all that is required to get your Compostela. Today we stopped to on a makeshift bench to have a quick bite to eat and in 5-10min 200 people probably passed us. It isn´t always like this.. but we were lost for words with the mass of people that morning. Fewer people travel with their packs and many take the bus out of convenience.. but for most of us the struggle remains part of the Camino and we would not let anyone advance our packs not even a meter for us.
Day 28 was an interesting day ahaha.. Rebecca and I had planned to wake up by 5 and leave by 5:30 to avoid the heat of a long 27km day. Well it was ten to 6 when we woke up and found that the rest of our group had kindly let us sleep in and left without us(on their behalf they thought we wanted to leave later). By 6:10 we were out of the door on march to try to catch up with our friends... but... 30min after walking and arriving into a town not exactly knowing where we were a kind gentlemen told us we were in Palas de Rei. Not knowing the size of the town and seeing a small group of pilgrims sitting, for a brief moment I thought we had done a full circle of the town and ended up back at hour hosted. Thankfully I was proven wrong when infact these pilgrims were waiting at a bus stop. A taxi driver redirected us to the camino and it wasn´t more then 30m ahead where we took a right turn and there it was... our hostel! We had left the town gone through the forest, a recreational area, over a river and some how ended up back in the same place. Thankfully at this point it was daylight and it didn´t take us long to find out where we had gone wrong. Although a bit frustrating in the morning we ended up laughing about it later once we caught up to our group and it turned out to be a cloudy day and there was no rush to reach our next town Arzua. Once we all arrived we made a last family dinner (pasta of course) as we were setting off to Monte de Gozo the next morning which houses up to a thousand pilgrims.
Day 29 to Monte de Gozo... it was a long day and though it was beautiful along the path in the forest it started to get a bit daunting as we crossed the main road several time on our windy path to Monte de Gozo. This was also the most rain we have had on the trip and I now know what i thought was water proof is maybe ... maybe water resistant as I arrived so wet i might as well have jumped in the shower with my clothes on haha. But we all got warmed up and did some laundry so we all walked dry into Santiago (now only 5km away) the next morning.
Day 30 Finally up to date. This morning we left on a quick 5km walk into Santiago the final destination of the Camino de Santiago and where I would leave my walking group behind as I continue to Finisterre. We got up early and were the first this morning to get our Compostelas (a cirtificate saying that we have completed the camino). I went to the Cathedral kissed the tomb of St. James ( Santiago) and heard them announce that two canadians had arrived into Santiago that morning along with the thousands of other pilgrims. The mass was beautifull and I will have to go into that more at a later date. After mass I said my goodbyes to my friends and I continued on my way. Leaving Santiago at 1:30 I knew I had a long day in the sun ahead of me, but I ran into Barbara a girl from Slovakia who I had met a week ago in Marjarin. So we arrived at 6:30 today and it looks like we are sleeping outside tonight. It is a small hostel and it is full as are the 6 tents outside and the rest of us will sleep under the overhang of the building.. I will let you know how it goes tomorrow ahah though i reckon it will be pretty funny.
2 days left and I will be finished my small walk for a BIG cause.. it will be wierd to wake up and not start walking.. but we will deal with that when the time comes. For the moment I am going to send a quick email to the friends I left in Santiago and hit up the grocery store as my tummy is eating itself haha.. hope all is well at home and that you were able to get through this massive post.
much love xoxox mila
Thursday, July 24, 2008
After writing my update in Sarria I hung our laundry ( washed in a machine- a luxury on our camino as we tend to wash by hand) and got ready for bed. But before jumping into my sleeping bad I joined other pilgrims and the owner of the hostel in an open room with a lit fire. We sat and chatted while drinking some liquer offered to us by the hospitalero. As we sat around sampling a few different chupitos (liquer) I realized how happy I was to be doing the Camino by foot vs by bike (though you would likely not hear me say this during the day as they soom by me with a polite and quick ¨buen camino!¨ ). Two americans thought it was great that Sylvan (Quebec), Lucas (Poland) and I had come all this way from France that we picked up Damian (Polish) in Logrono and Rebecca (New Zealand) in Leon. These two americans had been on the road for 8 days, traveled the same distance and had not met nearly the same number of people nor did they have as many storries to share. It was just a little reminder that ended my jealousy for the bikers as they quickly passed me the next day. ... got to run internet is going to cut out i will continue this blog later.. much love mila xoxo
Monday, July 21, 2008
.. sorry.. i know it has been a while
We arrived to the Monastary in Leon with bread in hand froma a Panaderia on the corner as we were SO hungry and quickly sat down in line eager to get our shoes off. Once settled we went to see the cathedral in the afternoon which was simply breathtaking..huge and full of beautiful stainglass windows. Like in Burgos it was nice to be in a city for a night. Leaving Leon (July 15th) we walked to San Martin wher the 5 of us (we picked up a kiwi on the way) stayed in a new hostel with a small pool. Damian made a mean pasta dinner and we all spent the evening drinking wine in the small pool. It was perfection hahah.Day 20 took us to Astorga a beautiful town where we stayed in the attic of another very nice hostel.
Day 21-23 (Astorga - Manjarin - Ponferrada) were probably my top 2 days. Before arriving in Manjarin we stopped at a large cross, it´s base covered in rocks, pictures and other items left behind by pilgrims. The tradition here is to bring a rock (or item) from home and carry it along the Camino with you. When you arrive at the cross you are to leave the stone behind along with all your worries, fears, regrets etc. I sat at the top of the rock pile and looked at all the things left behind, wedding rings, baby shoes, car keys, pictures etc, and tried to imagine all of the hardship, pain, everything these people have overcome and the reasons that brought them to the Camino. I sat there very peacefully just thinking before someone from TV 1 came and interviewed me. They were simply currious how far i had come, how it was going and what I thought about the location where i sat. I found it to be a very peaceful location and hopefully my respect for it and the people that have walked the camino before me and for all those that will walk it after me was made clear. Shortly after I arrived in Manjarin, a villag3e of 3 houses of which one was also our hostel. This town had no running water (remind me to show you pictures as words simply can not describe it) - let just say they asked us not to use soap as the cows also drank from the water hole. Nevertheless it was my favorite place as of yet. The owners were so simple and very kind. they made us an amazing veggie soup and salid, demanded that we not get up before 7 and invited us for breaky if we cared to stay until 7:30. Rebecca (the kiwi) myself, and two others did just that and were so greatful for their hospitality. Leaving Manjarin we had another beautiful days walk to Ponferrada. Rebecca and I stopped and spent most of the day about 8km before this town at a nice cool river where we had a dip and took a nice siesta in the shade.
The last 3 days (Trabaldelo, Fonfria and today Sarria) Rebecca and I have gone a little further then the boys to avoid doing one large day of 45 which they did today to catch up. Rebecca and I have had a great time, have done a lot of singing, taken lots of pictures, left notes for our group behind, met a lot of new people and got to know eachother as well. She started in Leon about a week ago and we were lucky enought to run into her that very day, so she has been traveling with us for her entire trip. Many people thought that the two of us had been friends for a long time and it kind of feels that way though it has just been a week.
Anyways we are now on track to arrive in Santiago on the 26th of July and I will continue another 3 days to the coast. I will have done the Camino de Santiago in 30 + 3 days it will take me to get to the coast, and although 31 days was my goal I think that the people I have met along the way, the memmorries I have made, the things that I have learned by taking those extra moments to stop and talk to people are far more valuable to me then pushing it into 31 days. More storries will shortly come, and hopefully before I get to Santiago.
I hope this finds everyone well.
much love xox mila
Day 21-23 (Astorga - Manjarin - Ponferrada) were probably my top 2 days. Before arriving in Manjarin we stopped at a large cross, it´s base covered in rocks, pictures and other items left behind by pilgrims. The tradition here is to bring a rock (or item) from home and carry it along the Camino with you. When you arrive at the cross you are to leave the stone behind along with all your worries, fears, regrets etc. I sat at the top of the rock pile and looked at all the things left behind, wedding rings, baby shoes, car keys, pictures etc, and tried to imagine all of the hardship, pain, everything these people have overcome and the reasons that brought them to the Camino. I sat there very peacefully just thinking before someone from TV 1 came and interviewed me. They were simply currious how far i had come, how it was going and what I thought about the location where i sat. I found it to be a very peaceful location and hopefully my respect for it and the people that have walked the camino before me and for all those that will walk it after me was made clear. Shortly after I arrived in Manjarin, a villag3e of 3 houses of which one was also our hostel. This town had no running water (remind me to show you pictures as words simply can not describe it) - let just say they asked us not to use soap as the cows also drank from the water hole. Nevertheless it was my favorite place as of yet. The owners were so simple and very kind. they made us an amazing veggie soup and salid, demanded that we not get up before 7 and invited us for breaky if we cared to stay until 7:30. Rebecca (the kiwi) myself, and two others did just that and were so greatful for their hospitality. Leaving Manjarin we had another beautiful days walk to Ponferrada. Rebecca and I stopped and spent most of the day about 8km before this town at a nice cool river where we had a dip and took a nice siesta in the shade.
The last 3 days (Trabaldelo, Fonfria and today Sarria) Rebecca and I have gone a little further then the boys to avoid doing one large day of 45 which they did today to catch up. Rebecca and I have had a great time, have done a lot of singing, taken lots of pictures, left notes for our group behind, met a lot of new people and got to know eachother as well. She started in Leon about a week ago and we were lucky enought to run into her that very day, so she has been traveling with us for her entire trip. Many people thought that the two of us had been friends for a long time and it kind of feels that way though it has just been a week.
Anyways we are now on track to arrive in Santiago on the 26th of July and I will continue another 3 days to the coast. I will have done the Camino de Santiago in 30 + 3 days it will take me to get to the coast, and although 31 days was my goal I think that the people I have met along the way, the memmorries I have made, the things that I have learned by taking those extra moments to stop and talk to people are far more valuable to me then pushing it into 31 days. More storries will shortly come, and hopefully before I get to Santiago.
I hope this finds everyone well.
much love xox mila
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Day 17
It has been some time since I have wrote, but I assure you not a lot has changed. I am now getting into a pretty good routine in order to avoid walking more then a couple hours in the heat of the sun. Getting up anywhere between 4 and 5;30 we leave the hostels in about half an hour and stop for our morning coffee at about 10km. Walking in the sun is hard on the body, but even harder on the feet and with 6-9hours of walking a day we enjoy the brisk starlit mornings.
Since I last wrote I have passed Burgos where I bought new shoes after a Spanish man threatened to cut holes in the heals of my runners to save my feet, we then walked a beautiful day to Hontanas though the last two hours were very long as it was flat until the eye could see and even after reading a sign saying that Hontanas was .5km away we still were not sure where this town would appear, sure enough there it was in a big hole in the ground. It was a cute little street and we had a lovely lazy day. After Hontanas was Fromista and then Carrion de los Condes. In Carrion, where my father was born and raised, I got a chance to visit with my Tia Sita and my prima Moni whome I have not seen in 9 years. Their company was re-energizing and I continued the next day to Sahagun a long 40km day. Today though only 34km felt just as long and painful as yesterday. The area we are in now is called the Meseta aka flat long roads. Walking through only two little towns today made the walk very repetative, though some good conversations and new friends made the day pass a little faster. I was very greatful to have run into Jay a Hawaiian / Russian / Frenchman whose conversation left me with a lot to think about for the remainder of the walk. We are all starting to feel tired, but we are looking forward to a short 24 km walk into Leon (another big city) tomorrow morning. I know I had more funny storries to share but at the moment they are just not coming to me.. it is Sunday and I am off to go to a little store that is opening for the pilgrims for only an hour.
ps I have failed to go into depth regarding the historical sites, monuments, churches etc. We all have guides of the Camino which highlight all the important history.. if currious these guides can be found on line as many people have them printed from the internet.
Hope all is well where ever this msg finds you.
Since I last wrote I have passed Burgos where I bought new shoes after a Spanish man threatened to cut holes in the heals of my runners to save my feet, we then walked a beautiful day to Hontanas though the last two hours were very long as it was flat until the eye could see and even after reading a sign saying that Hontanas was .5km away we still were not sure where this town would appear, sure enough there it was in a big hole in the ground. It was a cute little street and we had a lovely lazy day. After Hontanas was Fromista and then Carrion de los Condes. In Carrion, where my father was born and raised, I got a chance to visit with my Tia Sita and my prima Moni whome I have not seen in 9 years. Their company was re-energizing and I continued the next day to Sahagun a long 40km day. Today though only 34km felt just as long and painful as yesterday. The area we are in now is called the Meseta aka flat long roads. Walking through only two little towns today made the walk very repetative, though some good conversations and new friends made the day pass a little faster. I was very greatful to have run into Jay a Hawaiian / Russian / Frenchman whose conversation left me with a lot to think about for the remainder of the walk. We are all starting to feel tired, but we are looking forward to a short 24 km walk into Leon (another big city) tomorrow morning. I know I had more funny storries to share but at the moment they are just not coming to me.. it is Sunday and I am off to go to a little store that is opening for the pilgrims for only an hour.
ps I have failed to go into depth regarding the historical sites, monuments, churches etc. We all have guides of the Camino which highlight all the important history.. if currious these guides can be found on line as many people have them printed from the internet.
Hope all is well where ever this msg finds you.
Monday, July 7, 2008
After walking on my own for a few hours after leaving Logrono (Where I ended up sleeping outside the bathroom in the hallway because of the snoring) I was pleased to run into an old man offering apples and cookies to the pilgrims. It turns out he was one of the first people who started painting the yellow arrows we follow towards Santiago (only three of the originals (done in 1980) remain). I have been taking pictures of my favorite signs that lead us to Santiago, many of which are these yellow arrows, today (day 8) I got a few that are really funny. After a arriving in Najera we settled in to the hostel and went out for a glass of wine, one of our favorite cures for the blisters haha. Day 9 was painful, I had put some strong bandaids on my blisters that were NOT helping and I was getting blisters around and under the originals. Luckily it was a short 22km and I walked the last 7 in my flipflops. Arriving in Santo Domingo de la cazada, Antonio (a spanish man who is doing the Camino for the 8th time) helped cure my blisters. He swears his technique will work through the nurse in me is dougtful as I now have thread running in and out of my blisters.. but I am willing to give anything a try at this point and Antonio swears by it with experience soo why not eh. Sure enough Day 10 was brilliant the walk was pretty and I felt great!! In Bolerado I officially met two young cousins walking the camino together. Ana and Ana were very currious about the work of Athletes for Africa and we had a great chat. Two very dynamic young ladies who will surely make a difference.. one will start uni to be a elementary school teacher, and the other a dentist. We had a mass game of Uno last night and I slept like a prinicess... no snorers tonight!!!! I now write from Ages a very small town with no store but a nice little bar. We have been lugging pasta with us so again we will have a family dinner. mmmmhhhh carb loading! The walk today was beautiful but unfortunately a bit painful.. blisters blisters.... I will some how figure them out but it is like they have a mind of their own.. one day they are fine.. the next not so much. People are so helpful and remain very optimistic which is great! As I get to know people a little better they have become more currious about A4A, which is also great.. many hadn´t heard of it and are looking forward to taking a look at the site, so I am thrilled. It is time to start cooking and wash some clothes.... so we will chat soon.
xox mila
ps tomorrow we will enter one of the biggest cities along the way, Burgos. We look forward to a hot meal and the hussle of a city again. hope all is well:)
xox mila
ps tomorrow we will enter one of the biggest cities along the way, Burgos. We look forward to a hot meal and the hussle of a city again. hope all is well:)
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