It´s Been a Couple of Days

Well, my stay in Estella was a good decision. The rest was much needed. I have to admit though, it was strange not to be leaving with the other pilgrims. Estella was a beautiful little town. I spent the morning in the town square sitting on a bench and writing in my journal. I had to be out of the albergue at 7am until about noon. I then went off to find cafe con leche and a pan napoelian - basically pan chocolate! It has become a staple in the morning for me. I start off between 6:00am and 7:00am every morning. The first village I get to, I stop for my cafe and pan. It has become part of my pilgrimage.

So a few interesting anecdotes to tell you about.

1) While staying in Estella, I was able to do a lot of people watching. There is a common kitchen and it is very interesting to watch what people make for dinner and the process involved. Anyway, I had made myself some pasta and was observing two young guys at the other end of the table. I casually glanced to see what they were making and did a double take. The one guy was shredding cabbage, the other was cutting up tomato. Yes folks, a cabbage salad. I´m thinking it may have been the first time they were cooking for themselves. Anyway, they ate it all the same.

2) They say three things will happen on the Camino. First, you will cry. Second, you will meet your boundaries. Third, you will find someone you dislike. All three have happened. I cried and met my boundaries on the way into Estella. Hence the day off. I met the person I dislike in Estella. He is an older man, in his 60s. Short, stocky fellow that always seems to be a bit nervous. He was in the bunk beside me. Anyway, the rules of the albergues are basically quiet after 10:00pm and usually until about 6:00am. It varies. Anyway, I noticed that he would sleep all day and yell at people to shut up even in the middle of the day so that his sleep would not be disturbed. Very rude, as many tired pilgrims come in from the heat of the day (35 degrees with no shade yesterday) and want to unpack their ´rucksacks´ and shower. You then go into the centre courtyards and chat with your fellow travellers. Anyway, several people were getting upset with him and there were several conflicts along the way. I then saw him again in Los Arcos, again in the bunk just across from me and again the same situation - telling people to shut up. I was then washing my clothes and he decided to give me his two cents worth on what I was carrying with me. I almost lost it by that point in time. By the way, he got up at 3:00am that morning and was very noisy leaving the albergue and waking his fellow pilgrims who were not suppose to be for at least another 2 hours. Yes, a lesson in patience and just letting it go. There are things to be said about sharing small quaters with strangers on the same path, but with different purposes and ways of doing things.

3) Pilgrims stories. There are as many purposes and ways of doing the Camino as there are people doing it. I have heard several different stories. One gentleman is doing it with his father´s spirit. He was suppose to do the Camino with his father, but his father died just before leaving. Yes, a few tears were shed. Another Korean fellow is doing it because he is being punished by his father. His father has sent him on the Camino for figure things out. He must bring his pilgrims credentials- which is stamped everytime you stay somewhere, back to his father as proof that he has taken the time to think about his life. Many are just wanting to take time out from the craziness of life. However, the Camino has a craziness of its own. The race continues and I have sent people on their way.

My longest day has been from Los Arcos to Logrono. I walked 30km that day and even in the high heat of the day. I decided never to do that again. Now, I stop in the closest village when I am coming upon midday. It is crazy to walk in the heat and the sun is intense. There has been very little shade. I walked onto Logrono because I didn´t want to sleep in a 3 tiered bunk bed on the top bunk. Yes three bunk beds stacked on top of each other! Crazy! Last night I stayed in a lovely little albergue in Ventosa and today I only walked 17km to Azofra. I will be walking to Granon tomorrow to hopefully sleep in the attic of an old church! I hear it is quite the experience. Anyway, there is so much to tell. I will go through my journal tonight and pull out some other highlights to share with you in the next post.

Hope everyone is doing well. Until next time.

Tammy

P.S. Still not pictures. It may have to wait until I can download them in Scotland. I will keep trying.