Hello Dear Ones,
What a journey, what an adventure. Suddenly a 13 mile day seems easy. We must be getting stronger. Our legs and feet are still quite sore and tired at day’s end, but nothing that ibuprofen, arnica gel and a cold water foot soak (when we can get it) can’t seem to help. (I did not say “cure” on purpose). 🙂
After leaving the big city of Burgos behind this morning we entered a whole new countryside. It is as if we were suddenly walking through the Palouse. We have fallen in step with our Camino familiars – we look for them daily and they for us. It is very sweet. We struggle along with our languages, but share the walk, the day and the intention of Santiago in common.
There is still many miles and many hours passed in silence that lends itself to prayer or thoughts of those whom we love. We’ve had mostly good weather with just enough rain and mud to feel like true “pelegrinos.” The way has been mostly rural through small villages where time seems to have stood still. Sometime it feels as if the spirits of the ancients are walking with us. There’s been some stretches, some very ugly miles on asphalt through a littered and impoverished industrial landscape that remind us that we straddle two worlds as we walk, one collapsing beneath the weight of unsustainable and impersonal systems and one more eternal of simplicity and caring cooperation.
Our time here is a blessing as are each of you in our lives. Each of you is truly with us as we go.
Much love and gratitude for your love and support. We miss you.
Xo Catherine (y Dana)
(Isn’t great to hear these reports from the front. These guys are doing it and I am so jealous, well not about the pain part. But it is cool to see our friends and neighbors in the Camino context. These two were so fun to work with on Phil’s Camino and I have to believe that they are going to have a bang up experience in Spain.)
(And more good news, Vashon Island is opening it’s first Mediterranean restaurant! No more corn dogs for me. Here I am searching for some bad news but can’t find any anywhere. OK, I’ll drink to that! Here’s to no bad news, love you, Felipe.)