In Ledigos (after Carrion de los Condes) I met a 70 year old British doctor walking with his long time buddies - said he was out testing his replacement hip and two new knees ...
He told that in order to not be a potential burden to his companions, he always made sure to carry the phone number...
I was totally paranoid in an albergue in Astorga (won't name its name though). Ancient building. From the second floor I could look down to the first floor through the slatted boards. And below the first floor was an open kitchen just close to the wooden staircase going up. A true fire trap. -...
My totally magic moment occurred on the walk from Villafranca Montes de Oca to St. Juan de Ortega – a beautiful stretch – lots of ups and down – beautiful surroundings.
At one time during the walk, I sat down to take a rest, watched all the tiny brightly blue butterflies flittering around me...
Cannot really say that I have been pregnant while walking (would be a modern miracle, had I been!).
But during both my pregnancies, I have travelled extensively - even into my seventh months (kind of had to for work reasons). Never felt it to be a problem - except for feeling somewhat heavy...
Anemone, this chimes in with my Guatemalan experience (Spanish speaking all over). They said that they would never watch 'Spanish' films - they couldn't understand the language ...
annelise
Some years ago - before going to Mexico - I bought a primer and tried to teach myself. My sons were mighty impressed that I could have meaningful conversations with persons there. - Later I went to Guatemala and had one-on-one courses. I now extensively read Spanish books - now only look up few...
I used to be a keen photographer. However, some years ago I realized that I was occasionally seeing the world around me through a kind of filter – i.e.: is this a situation/an occasion/a landscape where to take a photo or not?
So I kind of put the camera away, let go of my constant analysis...
Re walking out of Burgos: The Camino sometimes provides! – a strange example …
Inspired by another thread asking something along the lines 'what you wish the Camino needs more of', I have a very mundane example of what the camino may provide:
I was on the long trudge out of Burgos – on one...
Someone in this thread claimed that if you were able to walk, you would also be able to get up and down to/from a top bunk. In that case, I am exception!
After my camino, I broke my shoulder so severely that I now have a shoulder implant (knuckle and bone …) – but this would not prevent me to...
For me it was not a a 'material' giving – but nevertheless equally good.
On a very hot afternoon, a Spanish elderly pilgrim might have observed me having problems with negotiating some steep steps down (sight and balance problems). Then for several kilometers over a difficult stretch – hot and...
I had a good experience in Villar de Mazarife. Stayed in the albergue just opposite the church (closed on arrival). But then suddenly the hospitalera (owner?) went around and said that the church was now open. No evening mass though.
Although though I am a Lutheran, I went to the evening...
I will chime in with previous posters.
For me, the biggest naysayer was probably myself! – But I suddenly got the urge when a son said to me "Mom, the biggest event of your day should not be your daily walk to the supermarket and back again"! (I had known about the Camino for some time then)...
I saw some 'rather large birds' circling above me when at one time I had a lie down – totally exhausted (and at that point wishing I could be transmogriffed back home immediately!)
They must have zoomed on to potential prey!
annelise
Hei Ivar, thanks.
I realize you have problems with this. - I guess many/most are on paypal - but being a kind of conservative person myself, I would choose not to spread my data overly much. Your link again puts me over paypal. Maybe I will just to have to succomb to new ways, new modern...
Ivar, I did all of the above and then suddenly found myself registering into a PayPal registering process. Heavy sigh here from Denmark.
Best, annelise
David, I am now set on the process of 'umulating'!
- Just need a bit more of stamina to set out. But getting a bit on in age, I wouldn't wish to have my children 'umulating' after me. (And also, I have a few secrets and letters from my previous life I wouldn't wish them to get into). - Thanks...
My first tears came already in Madrid when ready to board the train to Pamplona. I then saw two other persons with backpacks like myself and I suddenly realized: you are here now ... - it is not a dream anymore ...
annelise
-when I returned home a few years ago, and generally stopped buying things! I learned that I can do with only so little. So now I am trying to 'unclutter' - a difficult process, though (the uncluttering phase) ...
annelise
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