Day 7 - Viana
We stayed in an albergue (dormitory) in a very old section of town (beautiful) with an incredible view from the porch over the old city wall miles into the distance. We ran into our friend the ER doctor from Canada over dinner and he gave me (Leigh) a prescription for my cough. How cool is that!
Day 8 - Navarrete
This day we were asked to join two Brazilian guys for dinner. It was a nice evening of laughs and translations. These 26 year olds quit their jobs as businessman and journalist to take two months to walk the Camino. Paulo Coehlo's books (The Alchemist, The Pilgrimage) influenced them heavily. This town is a potter's dream! Clay is made here in this red earth region, and there are many potters here.
Day 9 - Azofra
We had a wonderful quiet walk and saw only two pilgrims on the way! We revised our plans this day and decided to take less rest days and walk more to experience more of the Camino! We will need to take the bus for part of our route because we didn't plan enough days to walk the whole 500-mile Camino.
Day 10 - Santo Domingo then to Burgos by bus
In Santo Domingo we toured a church with a rooster and hen in a cage inside (these remind and recall the miracle of Santo Domingo). The rooster crowed alot while we were there. Wonder what that worship exerience is like. Though I was sad to not be walking the whole Camino, I felt privileged to be walking as much as we can walk. Walking just does something to your body, mind and spirit. I am grateful to have this meditative time, this time with John and to be able to experience this goodness done to my body. We stayed at an amazing albergue in Burgos that is run by a Catholic church. Here we attended evening worship, received a pilgrim blessing, shared a community meal with 4 other pilgrims, and participated in a closing reflection time and prayer led by the hospitalero (hostess). Each person shared an important insight they received so far walking the Camino. Wow!
Day 11 - Leon by bus. We arrived in Leon in early morning and toured the amazing cathedral, ate tapas and drank sangria, walked the medieval streets, and toured a basilica with museum. We ended the day eating the pilgrim's menu (discounted for people walking the Camino) at a really cool restaurant.
Day 12 - walk to Hospital de Orbigo
What a nice walk... Again with only two other pilgrims on the road. Today we walked the furthest we've walked - over 22 miles! Our feet are tired, but it's a good tired. We crossed a bridge before arriving today - one of the longest and best preserved medieval bridges in Spain dating back to the 13th century, built over a much older Roman bridge! A famous jousting tournament took place on this bridge in 1434! Old in Spain is really old!
Pics: John after lunch on the road, eating tapas, Leigh admiring a potter's work in Navarrete, John buying olives for lunch at the Najera open-air market, John above the clouds.
So so good to read that our prayers are being answered for you two! It sounds like you have been bitten by the magic and wonder of St. James's road to Santiago.
ReplyDeleteWe will be looking forward to a night of photos, stories and planning suggestions upon your return.
Continued blessings!
Cindy and Jerry
I lose trace of the international date line, but since it is the 21st here, I have been thinking about your and praying that you have enjoyed a memerable first anniversary! You have been in my thoughts and prayers!
ReplyDeleteLynn Shelledy