Today I crossed the proverbial ¨half way¨mark from Ponferrada to Santiago. Reached it around 12 noon here, and said a prayer, that the heels will have blisters healed, and all our prayer requests answered!
The scenery today was one small Spanish village after another. Rocky to walk, but beautiful to look at and behold. Cows, dogs, cats, chicken greet us around the corners, along with their ¨gifts¨of waste! What a smell!
We are all excited about reaching Santiago! Four more days. Those who began the trek earlier, in France especially, can´t believe it. They are starting to dance down the way, while I still trudge, though my step is quicker.
I am learning to live in the unexpected of life. The gifts of friendship, of hospitality, of great food and delicious coffee (et leche) continue to pop up unexpectedly, but just in the nick of time. Meeting people along the way and close bonding with them is also the unexpected gift. Some people in the villages are use to seeing our kind, while others smile and simply say ¨Bien Camino¨.
Off to a pilgrim meal: salad, trout, and flan, with as much red wine as you want for 8 euros ($1.40 is equal to a euro).
Bien camino!
Pilgrim blessing, Brett
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4 comments:
I'm glad to hear The Feet are doing well. Santiago will pull you along the road now.
Terre and I met our friends and fellow pilgrims Eric and Joan for coffee this morning (but, sadly, decidedly not coffee con leche... sigh). Some of the talk was about you, of course, and Eric was quite impressed with your decision to devote yourself full-time to the School of the Pilgrim.
Now that you've been walking a while I have to ask: if you had to pack again, would you change anything?
Brett,
It continues to be so good to read your (and Jim's!) reflections of the pilgrim path. Congrats on being over half way to Santiago. Though the end of this particular pilgrimage is in sight, so to speak, I am led to remind you of your own words to me and others, in that "it is the journey, not the destination" that makes the pilgrimage. Okay, so that was a very rough interpretation... So, I look forward to reading more about the journey as this pilgrimage continues on 'towards' Santiago. And, I can't wait to see the accompanying pictures upon your return.
Brett,
Love and blessings from me and Robert as you hit the "home stretch" of the pilgrimage.
But even as I write this, I would also echo Dean: it's the journey that's important. I know that God is re-molding you with each step, and pray God's strength be with you as you journey onward.
Enjoy the company, the scenery, the animals (always important), and the chance to be with God on this amazing journey!
- Rachel
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