Tripping Into Grace: Back on the Way

I started the day with joy and hope in my heart. And then our hospitallera woke us by singing and playing the guitar. Her voice was like that of an angel. Most of us were awake but it was beautiful and touching and a great way to start the day.

Just before I left I sent a quick greetingsto my cycling friends riding TDR today to say Buen Camino!! Or have a great ride!!! I sent a pic of one of two brothers cycling the Camino that stayed in the same albergue. He commented that Arkansas has a reputation for great cycling events!!

I was one of the last ones to leave the albergue this morning. Alice asked me how my feet were. I told her much better and thank her for her hospitality. She took me in her arms and said, "vaya con Dios! You are so welcome." I thanked her again and said may God continue to bless you...she kissed me on each cheek and said, "go with God! Be well!"

I left with a spring in my step along with joy and hope in my heart. As I started out on the street looking for the shells and the yellow arrows which mark the way I knew that there might not be coffee until the next town which wasn't for 6 or 7 miles so I set my sights for that...I went up some steps I had not been up in my days in Burgos and turned the corner and there was an opened coffee shop! Hallelujah!! I ordered coffee and got a croissant to go which I might eat today or tomorrow.

But now I had a caffeine high, a spring in my step, as well as joy and hope in my heart!! I was unstoppable at least for the 7-9 miles I had planned on for today!! ;)

I mailed some of my postcards. Those of you who sent addresses yours will be written today. ;) then walked out of the city. I loved my walk today but I missed Joelle and Lilliane's singing...conversations with Camilla and Marie. I heard from them last night. They are well and several days ahead. But I still hope to see them again.

As I left Burgos I was pretty sure I recognized a part of the movie The Way. When the gypsie escorts them out to the city limits...see what you think...if you've seen the movie...

Most recognizable perhaps!

As I walked along I met a young woman from Tulsa, Ok who had been walking with her father, he left this morning. She was going much farther and faster but it was fun to connect. Here is some of the scenery.

And then I ran into one of my friends who was also struggling because of an injury and had stayed two days at the albergue in Burgos. Edigio. He is from Italy. He has a tendinitis issue. He sent his bags ahead and thought his only choices were Tardajos (7 miles) or Hornillos (13miles) I told him about Rabe de las Calzadas last night which was only about 2 miles from Tardajos-a little better option, you get a little farther but don't have to walk through the Meseta at the end of one's walk for the day...we start walking through the Meseta after Rabe!

You don't know the Meseta?? Well you can google it. But I will give you this much... Meseta: Mesa: plateau...and:

"The people of the Meseta have been defined as sober, and ascetic with perhaps a touch of visionary madness, in contrast to the exuberant Andalusians, the nostalgic Galicians or the practical Catalans. It is in the Meseta that Don Quixote that wonderful and exasperating madman, was born. Here also the mystical St John of the Cross or the visionary and stubborn St Teresa of Avila find their place. But whether mad or mystical, these figures are, in their own way, adventurers, fighters, people of action, characteristics they share with the national hero of Castile, the Cid, or with so many of the “conquistadores” of America. http://www.spainthenandnow.com/spanish-travel/the-meseta/default_25.aspx

...so anyway met up with Edigio. Visited on the way and said I would see him in Rabe. When I got to Trabajos I saw the Slovenian women I had dinner with the night before. As I was walking into the shop I heard "DEBBIE!! Is that you!?" It was Collete from Melbourne. I met her over a week ago. She asked about my toe. She asked how I was. She said she was wondering about me and was so glad to see me!!! WOW!!!

Now I'm in Rabe. Edigio also made it. There are lots of peligrinos here. It's is a quaint and quiet village. Perfect.