23 KM today.
The first 15 KM were in the rain and mud, but the smell reminded me of Seattle! The rain was so nice to feel on my face in the place of sweat. The terrain was pretty flat and I could have kept going, but there is also a beautiful Swedish man staying here so atleast ill have something to look at :).
30 KM from Logrono to Najera…
Let’s just say my feet are angry at me! I can’t wait to eat pasta with my German friends and relax!
buen Camino
A beautiful Sunday in Logrono with my Pelegrino family, drinking Sangria, and eating strawberries!
I am loving the sun and my tan!
Thinking about my family today and my momma’s French toast!
Today was epic! Spanish thunderstorms are no joke. If you take the intense rain drops that pierce your skin and mix it with wind that almost blows you to another continent, then you can picture it.
Logrono tomorrow from Sansol.
Normally I would have been upset because of this but I miss the Seattle rain so I was overjoyed the whole time! I was laughing because
Today, was a huge breakthrough for my Camino! I stopped counting kilometers and cities and started being so thankful that my tired, and breaking feet could manage to step one foot in front of the other. I found comfort in every step and pleasure in the journey, even though my pain was at the highest it has been.
Puente La Reina will be a sight in my rear view in the morning but appreciating the hours of rest for my tired feet and the beautiful songs we are singing at the dinner table currently!!
Pamplona is such a beautiful city!! It made the Pyrenees so worth it. Checking out the cathedral and museum was awesome! Learned about the war between Christians and Muslims more and also got some great looks at gothic architecture!
Buen camino
Today was rough even though not as much uphill! The rocks are hard on the knees and ankles!!
Needless to say, I was happy to get to San Nicolas Albergue, and I had the best hot shower of my life today!!! 14 KM tomorrow to Pamplona, which will be a nice break from the 26 KM of the past two days.
Today, the biggest thing that I came off of the Camino with was the love between pilgrims! I walked the last 18 KM alone and at first I felt upset thinking about all the things I was stressing about. I cried to myself a little, I talked to God, I complained to others, and I thought about missing my momma! Then with about 6 KM left, almost to Zubiri, I got a jump of life by seeing one of my friends from earlier in the Camino. The Hungarian gave me candy, a banana, and a small pep talk.
The rest of my walk I thought, how lucky am I to be in this place with all these beautiful people?
How amazing is it, that the compassion from shared plights would stretch so far, that a man would carry Kinzie’s pack for her up a large hill when he had his own?
How awesome is it to sleep on the bottom bunk to a French man that barely speaks English, but tries so hard just so he can ask you if you got enough to eat?
An American man gave me and Kinzie a code to get a free nights stay in Bilboa one of our later destinations.
I saw sacrifice these past couple of days. The acts here are just a few examples, but the fact that this selfless compassion exists, makes me want to be a better friend and person to others.
Lastly, I thought of the fact that some people are displaced from their homes and forced to walk miles and miles to survive. Some refugees has trekked across whole countries to keep their families safe! So I’d better stop complaining eh?
All I can say is wow!
The leg from St. Jean to Roncesvalles was nothing less than the most challenging thing I have ever done in my entire life! The amount of physical and mental strain of walking 7 hours, 18 miles, and 25 km more than half up hill took a huge toll on my feet, back, and shoulders. Rebecca Solnit describes walking as one of the most unintentional acts as it is almost rhythmic! You pick your feet up and drop them almost as easy as your heart continues beating by the second! There were times I was in auto pilot and didn’t even realize how quick my pace was or how far i had come. Great yet challenging day!
Things that kept me going were seeing other pilgrim friends, especially familiar faces from dinner the night before. I specifically remember feeling comfort in seeing an Italian friend’s bushy beard from far away! Another older Pelegrino friend broke off pieces of his chocolate when he saw how fatigued we were. The sense of community is beautiful, as I found myself kissing friends on the cheek wishing them buen Camino!
Tomorrow is intimidating as my feet are killing me and Pamplona is another 28 miles or so down the mountains. Thankful to have made it here today!!
Today was full of train after train after train after train! I wouldn’t have traded the trip for a faster route though because seeing the south border of France as it runs along the Spanish border was magical! The Fields of beautiful flowers and crops was a refreshing change from the dirty and populated streets of Barcelona!
Bayonne’s architecture reminds me of Spain in that the bricks and roof tiles look of age and class. The tall buildings squishing together narrow, and fascinating alley ways full of small businesses, playing children, and people enjoying tapas and drinks! Bayonne has less people and clutter around and also less garbage. This should be a good place to rest up for the night before resuming the journey over the Pyrenes. Thankful for Kinzie today as she continues to challenge me to challenge myself, not allowing me to choose the easy way and holding me accountable!
Buen Camino.
Hope to see all your faces soon!
Packing up and enjoying a few last minute activities like the fonta Màgica or magic fountain and museum before ending our stay.
Heading to France in the am! Walking around the city has been tedious I can only imagine what the Camino holds.
Bread and havarti cheese from any store has been my meal of choice. Plan of packing a lot of that stuff around!
Buen Camino