I made a mistake in my previous blog. August 23rd was August 24th!
When we finally got to our hostel Attila the Hun, the woman at reception, was not in a good mood. She had been fine with me over the phone when speaking Spanish, but with the other two she had to switch to English , and she wasn't a happy camper. When Ju hit her head on the top bunk, she said "Be quiet! People are trying to sleep!"
It is getting hotter in Spain. You get into a routine quickly- up early, start hiking, rest, drink water, eat, walk, think, reflect, chat with fellow pilgrims and say Buen Camino every time you meet or pass someone. I have taken to saying "igualmente" just to change it up, and just keep doing that over and over until you get to your hostel. Then you take the most awesome shower you have ever had in your life, hang out your clothes to dry, eat a "Peregrino" supper for 10€ and hit the sack. Next day same thing all over. I am LIVING it and LOVING it. Every single minute of it. A German woman named Elke hugs me every time we meet up. She loves how I am always smiling. Who wouldn't be smiling?
Nancy and I had a FA moment (A EQUALS AWESOME-you can figure out the F) when we had an encounter with a humongous turkey in this courtyard in the middle of nowhere. I have a video I can't download, but let's just say Nancy has a very unique talent. You can't tell her call from the turkey's, I swear! I laughed for half an hour on this trail high up another Godforsaken mountain until...
I saw a lone man up ahead, who wasn't a Peregrino and was acting furtively. Nancy was a bit behind, and I thought "Great... a flasher!" I saw him move what looked like a jacket, from in front of him. I lift "Fidèle" (my walking stick), just in case I need to whack him. He greets me and points to his jacket on which he had arrayed fresh fruit and drinks. Did I feel like a schmuck? Oh yeah! I ate a delicious orange from the Canary Islands.
I must tell you that we are climbing ALL the time. I ask Spaniards about the next day's trek and they all assure me that there is very little climbing: it levels out. It doesn't! Their idea of flat is DEFINITELY not the same as mine.
No blisters yet. I really am in good shape and feel great- not so much Nancy and Ju, who have had
stomach and other problems.
I know this post is disjointed, and I apologize. I am exhausted but happy.
Bonne nuit chers cousins et cousines- all 94 of you!
With LOVE and GRATITUDE for where I am, Cizur Menor, Spain.
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