12 miles today. Landed in a small town called Ventosa I’m at a small alburgue (hostel) that is very welcoming and cozy. I’m currently sitting in the patio area surrounded by vines and flowers, a bubbling water fountain, and lots of drying clothes.
I walked today mostly with 2 Irishmen I met this morning. Ray and Jeremy also known as El Raymon and Padre. They have been doing the Camino and other pilgrimages consistently for 8 years. They do a week or 10 days at a time, several times a year. So they know the path well and had lots of good tips for the towns ahead. They were very engaging and liked to poke fun at each other with funny stories so it made the first 8 miles go by easily. We stopped for lunch, then I traveled on to my destination. The last 4-5 miles were HOT and I didn’t see another pilgrim. Dry dirt roads, very little shade and 92 degrees. Fortunately it was pretty flat.
Along the way today I fed red squirrels out of my hand, ate tiny plums growing along the trail and laughed quite a bit.
I ran into Kristina from NM, Marie from France and Rita from Australia here in this alburgue. It’s good to reconnect.
One of the things I am really enjoying in this trip is the churches. So many ancient places of worship. And though I don’t normally like super ornate decor, the details in these churches are amazing. The one I visited today in Navarrete had the biggest gold alter area I have seen. See pics on fb or insta. It was amazing. I really love to sit and pray, and think about the many people who have sat in the same pews praying, over the centuries. We truly are part of the “great cloud of witnesses.”
A college friend of mine passed away this week. We weren’t super close but we hung in the same circles. He was a talented artist and had a beautiful voice. My dear friend Adrianne sent me one of his songs about Angels calling us and it’s just beautiful. If I can find it on a sharable source I will share. But it has carried me through today. I played it on repeat in the last hour of hot walking alone. Thank you DH.
About to have dinner and make a plan for tomorrow. The Camino continues.
Buen Camino.
You are right on time with God’s plan! 13 miles, wow! If I could get 1 block I would celebrate.
I had a Bible verse today that you might ponder in your on your wanderings.
Psalm 141:2 “Let my prayer stand before Yoy like incense: let my uplifted hands be like an evening offering.” Verses 3 and 5 I need to say over and over, but verse 2 I thought about you visiting churches.
Have a blessed, joy filled day!
Judy
If I proof read befire sending, my misspelled words would not show up. Sorry.
Judy
Go Tina! such an inspiration to us all!
12 miles for you today!! Amazing. We understand the heat. 99 here in Conroe. All good with our time!!! So many stories to share.
Love, hugs, and safe travel. 😊
I’m so happy!
Tears begin as I think about your post and an experience of a lifetime!
Buen Camino my friend
How fun to have the wit of the Irish carry you for the first 8 miles. I too often find that the Irish enjoy life and don’t take themselves too seriously. I can learn a lot from them.
So sorry about your school friend but what a lovely gift he has given you and your journey (and us through you) with his song.
What I have read, there are those parts of the Camino that are flat and not as picturesque. If that is where you are, then prayers for inspirations beyond the scenery and for stamina. You are inspiring me.