Wow what a day. For the first time it rained and rained. Pretty much on and off all day. I must have looked like a drowned rat. I couldn’t find my cafe con Leche until late in the morning. I was soaked but had to catch up to my back pack or my machilla. I had my coffee and warmed up and then back on the walk. My Japanese friend Rumy told me she had to move ahead for she had to get to Santiago by 9/21. We said good bye and off she went now that her knee was better she was much faster than the old man. A little humbling but the Camino will humble you many times.
About one hour later she passed me and both of us were very surprised. It seems she took the wrong path and I got ahead. Another good bye and off she went in the rain. The Camino makes us bond briefly with many pilgrims and we often must say good bye. At first it is a little unnerving but it teaches us to let go of the past and live in the “now”. In our life back home we are often worrying about the future or the past and waste the “now”. We should try to enjoy the now for we can not impact the past or the future, only the present moment. I have to work on this through out the Camino.
I do look forward to hearing from you guys back home. Some times I write a long story and only get back short comments from some of you. Your support and feedback keeps me going. I have thought of quitting a few times when the path became difficult and I was tired. I’m very glad I have kept going but at times it is hard. When I look back I am amazed I have come this far. Slowly so very slowly but I’m getting closer. For Beckie and Terry who have been bitten by tha Camino bug it is very hard but so worth it. If I finish tomorrow due to an illness or accident the Camino has already changed me. It is difficult to explain but every one I talk to have learned life changing lessons. A pilgrim from Toronto like me down sized her house and still recognized she can live with less. I also will sign up for senior joga to get me more flexible. I’m losing weight I can tell by my pants falling down and I’m at the last hole on my belt.
Finished half a bottle of the wine with my meal. Kind of puts you in the mood for sleep. It’s only 8 pm but I’m used to going to bed by 9 pm. No tv or distractions to keep you from a good nights sleep. I hope the rain will be light tomorrow . No choice I have to select the Hostal to ship my pack to tonight, and then walk to it.
I walked over 6 miles today in the rain so with 3 miles to go I took a taxi to the town right up to the hostel. Boy was I surprised to find out it was the wrong one. I forgot to take a pic of my baggage ticket so the wonderful hotel staff called around and found my reservation and pack in a hostel 1.6 km out of town. Well it started to rain and the taxi was gone so it took me 1 and a half hrs to find the place. The good news was that it was 10 euros cheaper. Now when I place my order to ship my machilla tonight you can be assured I will take a picture so I know where it’s going.
Ok now it’s your turn to write me. The last time I heard from Tom it was one sentence. Not fair, I’m walking and writing. So unless you guys are walking 7 to 10 miles tomorrow- write. I hope someone helps Evelyn to access my blog other wise I have to write two times a day and the wifi is not that good.
Buen Camino
Pilgrim Frank
Hi Frank,
Hang in there you’re almost there. We would love to hear from you about your trip when you come back. Been reading your blog and find it very interesting it’s just like history in the making about your journey a meaningful that is.There’s nothing much to tell about us here in Fort Worth just helping taking care of our 2 grandkids ( Robert’s kids) The Lions won by the way against Indiana, last Sunday’s game.
Been praying for your safe return ( when would that be). We admire you for doing this & having the courage to do it.Like the saying say’s ” If there’s a will there’s a way and that’s you Frank. God bless
Hi Frank,
I loved this post. I can tell that you are learning many life lessons in spite of the hard ships you are experiencing. I especially loved the fact that you are living in the “now” while we back home are always regretting past mistakes and looking towards the future. You will understand how petty I am when I tell you that my greatest sympathy for you was when I learned you had to wait until mid-morning for your cafe con leche! I have to have my coffee as soon as I open my eyes. What a spoiled brat I am. Walking in the rain sounds delightful ( hope you remembered to pack an umbrella).
I am thinking of you and praying for you.
God Bless,
Lorraine
Thank you Pepsie you helped me keep going today in the rain. Your encouragement is needed to work through the challenges. It seems that we are constantly sent on paths that go down hill only to go back up hill. Now that it has rained for two days the paths are washed out. I made it to Melide thank God I’m getting closer to Santiago. Thanks
Frank