I've reached that point. Where everyday in a different place has a cumulative effect and suddenly, you have no idea where you are. That kind, chatty guy you met on the trail today who inquired about last nights stay, is met with a blank gaze or an embarrassed face. Quite frankly I have no idea where I stayed last night or where I'm going now! But in my "real life" I'm actually pretty competent, I swear!
Today I departed the albergue just as soon as I could. Clanging from the kitchen drove me out of bed before 6 AM and as delightful as camping in an ancient bell tower sounded, I was ready to be on my own, in the dark, once again. Hiking at Dallice pace, peering into the darkness for Camino signs to point me in the right direction. It gives me time to reflect, to become ok again with being engulfed by Spain and not see any of it for 90 minutes - until another beautiful Spanish sunrise is upon my face.
To be honest, the walk today was not spectacularly awesome. The trail followed the highway much of the day and the noise, smell and sight of it was distracting. It's saving grace was walking through little villages about every 3km.
...Not that many of them had coffee for sale today! I know, right!? How the heck does a pilgrim keep walking almost 30km without caffeination?! Slowly. Painfully.
Speaking of, I had my first pain that didn't go away with sleep today. Some little tendon or something, in my left ankle was giving me some grief for 3 villages. It righted itself, for the most part. Still a bit tight.
With the early afternoon, came respite. I arrived at my hotel. Yes... private room, private bathroom, peace and quiet. I lounged in the room, sat in the bottom of the shower until I was most pruney, shaved legs, washed clothes and had Spanish tv going in the background. I indulged in not one, but two different pilgrim meals! Bliss!
The view from my room was rather pleasant too.
Today I departed the albergue just as soon as I could. Clanging from the kitchen drove me out of bed before 6 AM and as delightful as camping in an ancient bell tower sounded, I was ready to be on my own, in the dark, once again. Hiking at Dallice pace, peering into the darkness for Camino signs to point me in the right direction. It gives me time to reflect, to become ok again with being engulfed by Spain and not see any of it for 90 minutes - until another beautiful Spanish sunrise is upon my face.
To be honest, the walk today was not spectacularly awesome. The trail followed the highway much of the day and the noise, smell and sight of it was distracting. It's saving grace was walking through little villages about every 3km.
Some villages are more welcoming to pilgrims than others. Many celebrate the history of a pilgrims journey and support the individuals along the way, today.
...Not that many of them had coffee for sale today! I know, right!? How the heck does a pilgrim keep walking almost 30km without caffeination?! Slowly. Painfully.
Speaking of, I had my first pain that didn't go away with sleep today. Some little tendon or something, in my left ankle was giving me some grief for 3 villages. It righted itself, for the most part. Still a bit tight.
With the early afternoon, came respite. I arrived at my hotel. Yes... private room, private bathroom, peace and quiet. I lounged in the room, sat in the bottom of the shower until I was most pruney, shaved legs, washed clothes and had Spanish tv going in the background. I indulged in not one, but two different pilgrim meals! Bliss!
The view from my room was rather pleasant too.
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