Astorga to Foncebadon

Astorga to Foncebadon

In Villafranca, getting fairly close to the end. I walked alone today and had some really good ways of reinterpreting my life. I’m writing it out now, expect it tomorrow!

In the misty mountains

Rainbow around the sun. Paul and I were convinced the world was ending until Brian told us that this was actually a thing. Definitely among the coolest things I’ve seen on this trip.

Walked a short 8k into Ponferrada and took a much needed rest day in the city. This city is surrounded by some of the most beautiful mountains I have ever seen. I am so in awe of this place.

Kind of getting to that point where I’m ready to be done walking, which is a little worrisome considering we still have a pretty decent amount of time left. I’m hoping that after an easy day and good night’s sleep I’ll get back into the groove tomorrow. Until then, Paul and I are going to eat our weight in strawberries and chocolate ice cream. Cheers!

Woke up not feeling like walking, so we decided to take a rest day and walk 7k to Ponferrada. Spent the day exploring the Templar castle.

What Are You Saying?

The master imprints his wisdom in the heart of his disciples, not in the pages of a book. The disciple might carry this wisdom for thirty or forty years, hidden in his heart, until he meets someone ready to receive it. Such was the tradition of Zen.

The Zen master Mu-nan sent for his disciple Shoju one day and said, “I am an old man now, Shoju, and it is you who will carry on this teaching. Here is a book that has been handed down for seven generations from master to master. I have myself added some notes to it that you will find valuable. Here, keep it with you as a sign that I have made you my successor.”

“You had better keep the book yourself,” said Shoju. “I received your Zen without the help of written words and I am quite content to let it be that way.”

“I know, I know,” said Mu-nan patiently. “Even so, the book has served seven generations and it may be helpful to you too. Here, keep it with you.”

The two happened to be talking near the fireplace. The instant the book touched Shoju’s hand he flung it into the fire. He had no lust for written words.

Mu-nan, who was never known to be angry before, shouted, “You must be crazy! What are you doing?”

Shoju shouted back, “You are crazy yourself! What are you saying?”

The guru speaks with authority of what he himself has experience He quotes no books.

(The Song of the Bird by Anthony de Mello)

Late start, relaxed walk. Frederikka was once again attracted by the views, our last of the mountains and hills of Asturias. She says she was not comparing these to earlier views; she was just adding them all together, expanding her collection. She fell well behind Ramón and me, and I was often way behind Ramón who said he was trying out his sore foot, which was apparently healed. I caught up with him in a bar, of course, and we called Frede and … together again. Cloudy,  cool, friendly, and we find ourselves in a wonderful albergue, the Cantabríco in A Fonsagrada, with an exceptional hospitalero. Ramón catches a bus to Lugo tomorrow to be able to complete the walk before returning to work. Our merry band will be different without him.  We did cross the border from Asturias to Galicia late this afternoon, just about the time my personal odometer was rolling over its 400th mile. Ultreya!

Villafranca

In a building similar to the hotel from the Shining.

if we spot any twin girls in the hallways, I am going to give them Cecelia.

that is all.

Villafranca

Palas del rei–16:52