a grateful pilgrim

Sunday, November 24, 2013

The Scallop Shell and the Cross of the Templars lead the way

Views of the Camino from Sarria to Santiago

I stayed last night in Alberque San Marcos in Palas de Rei. What a blessing! A DRY PILGRIM IS A REALLY GRATEFUL PILGRIM!!!

I just want y'all to know I consider Spain a civilized country!

It is a cold overcast day today on the Camino and still able to rip off 13 km today. I caught up with a confirmation class from Germany. The chaperones of this group must be saints as these kids are all over everywhere. One has to consider the opportunity these kids get as completing the Camino and becoming Soldiers of Christ at the same time.

I am staying in an alberque near Ventas de Naron and literally out in the middle of nowhere! Luckily the sheep know where we are at! Around Puenta la Reina I observed on a far hill side a sheep herder and his dog moving his flock. Amazingly Serene!

An early morning stroll and what do you find? A...

It was on to Palas de REI with overcast skies and rain. I was blessed with the Alberque San Marcos in its first year of operation. Any time on the Camino you find a washer with a dryer especially on a rainy day you count your blessing! DRY AGAIN!! The Shell is always pointing the WAY in the Villages, Towns and the Trail! >>>

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Rain....

What a day on the Camino! I had to wear full rain gear and loved it! A warm rain, beautiful trail and fresh fall like smells!

Then the bottom fell out... Stopped raining, bugs came out, the smell of fresh manure, dropped my poncho (had to back after it), lost my glasses and my electrical adapter!

Then the bridge at Porto Marin! I have never seen green like I did today. The ruins under the bridge are covered under water when the dam is in operation. I understand more of what you were doing in Turkey Brooke!

Replaced everything I lost... Adjustments must be made on the Camino de Santiago!

Another camino miracle?

Dinner tonight was not good. I had the Pilgrim's meal of macaroni with a tasteless tomato sauce, I ordered chicken and got four chicken wings and the desert was a pretty good almond cake! Sitting close to me was this guy from Mexico. He admitted he was drunk, he is on the Camino to party and chase women and then stated he did not like Americans! I controlled my tongue ate and left.

In the alberque I found a magazine in English! Christian Focus! I read most of the articles and was reminded that this journey is Spiritual to me and then realized it was not about me!

Another Camino miracle?

A scare on the camino and 100km to go.....

I left Sarria before day break. I encountered some of the creepiest experience I have had on the Camino! Upon sunrise the most serene walk to date! Just look at the pathways!

First, I pasted the monastery which was no big deal. Then right through a cemetery where vaults were layered upon each other. After That I noticed that the trees were all gnarly straight out of the Wizard of Oz! Suddenly a bat flew right in front of my face! Thank God for flashlights and sunlight!

I just had to stay at this alberque!

Upon sunrise the most serene walk to date! Just look at the pathways!
Even found acceptable graffiti! Fancy that! 100km to go to Santiago!

My plan.....edited

I have been walking 10-15km per day. At this rate, I will not be able to complete the entire Camino de Frances route to Santiago as planned.

I will be in Sarria on the 1st or 2nd of October to walk the final 100 km to Santiago (10-15 days) and still get a certificate of completion.

So getting out of the Meseta(no more wheat and corn) and skipping the industrial side of Leon and heading back into the mountains! (Can you see me singing like Julie Andrews in the mountains like in the Sound of Music?). My biggest obstacle will be dealing with the rain, cold, sore feet, aching shins, and hurting knees... (hungry too!)

The great thing about this plan is I will now have the assurance of completing my goal and enjoying it without the burden of a time frame.

And then I can be a wandering soul on the Camino de Santiago!

Astorga and fellow pilgrims....

Well the rain has started and is forecasted for the next 5 days if not more. I am in Astorga, a town of 12,000. Again another cathedral and this time a different structure called the Episcopal Palace (Disney-like) Both buildings out of this world.