We Are Walking

We are tired pilgrims with very tender feet but are learning much and feeling  stronger.  Stronger is good lest we give up now.

A cold first day.

  Our traveling companion, Marie has already told us she is thinking of quitting.
 But, Jim and I are determined to keep going and try to get "A Santiago" even if it takes 6 weeks!!!
The young kids are constantly passing us by but as they say on El Camino, it is your walk and so you do it the way you do it.

The Pilgrim's Albergue at Roncesvalles

We wanted to begin in France, at St. Jean's but because of some great and wondrous storms that suddenly erupted and the death of a Canadian pilgrim earlier and the rescuing of three Koreans who kept their lives but lost some toes St. Jean's main path was closed . And because of our beginning Easter weekend with no buses running we had to hitch hike from the end of the train ride from Madrid.

Hitch hiking to the start of the Camino.

We walked from Roncesvalles yesterday over 20 miles in the rain

and mud  and snow up and down mountains and found at the end there was no room at the Inn (Albergues for the pilgrims)as many Spaniards are walking only this Easter weekend  but they are  filling up our sleeping spaces!  And because I am on the Camino I accept this and do not bitch and moan about it being unfair and I do not call them slackers and I know that it would be useless if I did!

 So, we walked around town and found a Pension, a room in someone's home with a shared bathroom for a little more money, but charming and just what we needed at the end of a long walk. And there are not seventy other pilgrims!
 Today we walked less and found an Albergue early and I have the bottom bunk!! This is all I want right now.  A shower and the bottom bunk.

It is hard walking with the pack but Jim and I think we are 80% prepared with the correct shoes (YEA!!) and clothes but could have used an update on our back packs instead of the ones from 30 years ago!  Next time we´ll know better.

I am happy to be  here . I am feeling optimistic . I am meeting fine folks from all other the world and are our sisters and brothers on the Way and  I am learning much like not bothering to walk around puddles and just go on through!

Making it through another puddle

There was much snow this winter so many streams are overflowing now and it gets tricky to pass. 

 We saw the bridge where Martin Sheen´s bag went over in THE Way but we still have our bags!
Meeting folks is one of the very special things about this Camino.
 Yesterday, I met and had many interactions , over a period of a six hour walk,with a couple from Holland, sharing philosophies and we could hold each other close to say goodbye.

 Today we visited with 3 young college grads from Australia, Jack. James and Henry who made us laugh and whom we believe we shall never see again as they are walking way faster than we.
Holly was ill and not able to walk with us. Next time!

Que mas.  Communication can be a challenge as usually we are too tired to find a computer but tonight there is one here in our Albergue. I´ll try to connect periodically.

Spring is here, birds are singing, rain is falling and fortunately, I have super rain gear and super icebreaker underclothes .