This morning I feel like I walked out of the albuergue into a misty, wet cloud, I usually start walking about 7:15...
Visibility was probably about 10 feet, and since I left alone, I was worried about missing the yellow arrows. I did ok. No wrong turns. All good. I always carry food with me, at least a banana, so I ate that about 2 hours after I started walking, cause there were no little towns with cafes open. I like to always stop first thing for tea and a pastry.
So, I walked, and walked, in the foggy rain. Mostly going down this morning.
Saw some cows, although with the fog, it was like the twilight zone. The trail was quiet, not as many people walking as usual.
Then I got to the bottom of the mountain, and low and behold, there was another hill... Yikes Is what I thought. Saw some roosters...
And then things got a bit better,,, clearer, so about noon, I had my sandwich I had packed, with water and some chocolate I've still been carrying from Astorga and the chocolate museum from last Sunday.
The trail cleared up although things were pretty muddy from the rain and all of the mist.
I arrived to my pension about 3.. With all of that climbing up and down it was a long but fulfilling day. Tomorrow, I get to Sarria. Sarria is the town you start from, must start from to get a compostella. It is 100 km from Santiago.
For each place I have been, I have gotten a stamp proving I am there. From Sarria onward, I must get 2 stamps per day. It is the proof you need to get a compostella.
S
So after tomorrow, I have less than 100 km to go, less than 60 miles,,, so I am excited to accomplish this adventure, and for me a spiritual undertaking and sacrifice. Although of course I will want the compostella, for me, this journey has been one of spiritual and inner growth for myself. It has changed who I am, and how I think of myself. I now know that I can manage in a foreign country, on my own, speak and make my needs and feelings know to strangers, and I can be absolutely ok.
Complaints for the day.... My feet are doing better, but not well yet. It will take some time for them to heal when I get back.
My left shoulder is hurting. I am sending my pack forward for a while til it improves. I am also wondering if it is from holding my walking sticks and maybe they are too high. I shortened them today, thinking my left shoulder blade and scapula will not be elevated all day and maybe hurt less. I am also not sleeping well. Don't know why, but think it is muscular related. I've decided wine and ibuprofen is the best answer. Lots of wine....you would think I'd be exhausted each day.
I will be back in my tennis shoes tomorrow, the weather is in the 60s. No rain predicted for tomorrow...Although they saying goes here, the rain in Spain is mainly in Galacia, which is where I am now.
That's all for today, tomorrow starts my last walking week of the camino, I plan on arriving in Santiago either Sunday or Monday.. Flying home on Thursday the 20th , and looking so forward to being home to John and my own bed. Ahh.
