Month July 2020

I’m the first to arrive at today’s hostel inside a 14th century church and monastery. I stake out my bed for the night, putting my sleeping bag liner over a thin pad among several lined up in a loft of…

It’s late morning when I reach Santo Domingo and leave the dirt roads to navigate the hot cement of bustling city sidewalks. I see a sandwich board sign announcing hamburger plate specials just ahead. How wonderful to find a good…

After some internal conflict and debate, I decide to take the bus again. Today I’ll ride 18 miles to Najera. What a beautiful, glorious ride! I’m on a modern commercial bus with comfortable seats and air conditioning. I know I’ve…

Pilgrimage . . . This doesn’t seem like a pilgrimage now that I’ve checked into a nice hotel room in this big city. I wrestle with the idea that maybe it’s a mistake to stay here. The comfort with real…

Then I meet John and Vicki from Ireland. Hearing about my Achilles heel struggles, Vicki introduces me to another woman at a nearby table who’s also having trouble walking. The woman shares that she walks part way and then takes…

I’m not in control. Nope. The Camino is in charge, leading me step by step, moment by moment. I don’t know what’s ahead. I just follow the yellow arrows marking the way, up and down, over and under, on smooth…

I struggle through the dirt. I feel weak. It occurs to me that I’m probably dehydrated. I could pass out. If I do, who knows how long it would be before anyone would find me. I keep moving on, one…

Today the trail ascends to an altitude of 2600 feet, leveling off at Alto de Perdón (Forgiveness Mountain Range) where art depicts pilgrims through the ages. As I start up the path, my heart grows heavy. It gently whispers to…

Today is a short 3.6 mile walk. I’ll rest, recuperate from yesterday, and prepare for a strenuous climb tomorrow. I walk through a lovely field of sunflowers and reach my destination before noon. Agnes from Poland joins me for lunch.…

I’m alone on a dirt road leaving a small town when I hear a bell ringing. I turn to look and see a herd of rams coming my way. They fill the breadth of the road, leaving no where for…