Well, my app didn't end up working so well and, as it happened, I got more wrapped up in the walk as it went on, which is a good thing. During the second half of the walk , things began to click for me, despite the fact that my body was ready to reach its destination and began to voice big, loud complaints via my right foot and ankle. All my wretched limbs held together though and I hobbled into Santiago with friends on October 7 after 35 days of walking. I'm home now and just beginning to wrap my head around the experience. Did I dream the whole thing?
I'm sprucing up my sketchbook which I will post, along with some more thoughts on the Camino and some practical things I learned. Despite years of researching this trip, there were still things I hadn't thought out that would've helped me before I left. It just goes to show that each person's Camino is a different animal and despite that, we all have a shared journey. It was a horrible and wonderful trip and that's the only way I can think to describe it. Just like a month and a half of real life, there are good and bad and many in between days. I have to imagine that each is valuable, even if I can't see it yet.
This week, though, I will continue to share some images from the 2nd half of The Way.
Carrion de los Condes, passing through the main square before a very long walk through the Meseta
Plenty of food and water...16 k until my stopping point.
The town of Calzadilla de la Cueza and the sign for its municipal albergue seemed to rise from the grass like an oasis. It's a two albergue town and not much else, and in my haste to take off my shoes I managed to pick the albergue WITHOUT the pool.
Plenty of time to think here...this cafe and the view of pilgrims coming over the hill is the only thing to do in this town.
A perfect color palette.
I love these little Spanish buildings. I want to live in every single one.
Not Hobbit Houses!, a sign helpfully explained to passing pilgrims. These little cave cottages are for storing wine.
I know it looks cute but its cat talons are sharpened and waiting to rip food from pilgrim hands. This cat ferociously guards Elvis Bar, which is the epicenter of tiny Reliegos, as well as acting as a graffiti-ed notice board for those passing through.