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THE GOOD SANDWICH
Short entry today. After two strong days, I was due for a slow, quiet walk. I changed my music to an audiobook for company, and kind of zoned out for a lot of the walking. I didn't even talk into tgr recorder, or take more than 2 or 3 photos.Then it started to rain, and things got pretty miserable...It turned into a 22K over 9 hours wet and cold and tired kind of day. Only two things redeemed it:
1)When I walked out this morning, Ashleigh the Aussie happened to be there, having stayed in the town before Puente and now passing by at the beginning of her walk. We went along together for a good hour and a half enjoying a great conversation, till I lost her going up a hill and we ended up drifting apart. But I was very happy walking with her and enjoyed her company.
After that I walked alone all day, which got less fun as the weather worsened. Much of it was along an old Roman road that involved negotiating slippery mud and equally slippery rocks. And the showers of the last few days turned into real rain before many of us could realize it and put on rain gear, so that didn't help. I literally dragged myself into Estella shivering and near tears.
2) I got my bed in the municipal albergue and just sat there a while, relieved to have stopped at last. But I guess I still looked haggard because a German girl named Christina asked how I was doing. When I said it had been a bad day, she invited me to dinner with her and her friends, who were making pasta in the communal kitchen. Not only was it kind, and needed, and deeply appreciated, it turns out one of her friends is an American guy named Chris I'd met in Pamplona, so there was a familiar face around the table. The human touch really saved the day, and I'm touched and grateful she reached out... A very Camino thing to do.
Here's hoping this bad day means there are at least two strong ones coming up, ideally without rain. Off to bed early to get some real rest and improve my chances!
- comments
Diana Kantor I walked home from work yesterday, which takes an hour, and for a moment I started to complain to myself that I was hot and tired. Then I thought of you and decided to STFU, keep walking, and enjoy the lovely day and surroundings. So you are, literally, my inspiration. I'm looking forward to your upcoming blog entries. Your journey sounds SO very exciting. Thinking of you and wishing you all the best.
Quade H Bad days test us, and make the good days all that much better. HOpe the days since then have been better. hugs.