Grogan
Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Camino Francis (April 2015)
22 April 2015 - Morgade to Palas del Rei -- 35.8 Kms
Today was unbelievable -- I woke up with bed hair and didn't even know it until I looked into the mirror -- it was like -- wow -- been a long time since I had bed hair - and for the folks that know me they will understand this complete amazement and shock --
So after a large coffee and talking to two of the German ladies from last's night dinner - got packed up and and started today's adventure -- feet good (thanks to tape) -- knees good (thanks to chemistry) -- Rain, so had to button down the hatches -- moved out and was enjoying the hike -- good pace -- and then I got to thinking-
The one thing folks have not talked about are the variety of smells you encounter on the El Camino -- I mean everyone talks about the food -- but nothing on the smells -- it is -- well -- stimulating -- you go from fresh mountain forest, to smoke filled villages, baking breads, to well -- lots of cow, horse, and sheep smells -- some more vivid than others -- so I am thinking that maybe when Brierley updates his next version of his El Camino Book -- he ought to think about a Scratch and Sniff section so folks are prepared -- me having grown up mainly in Nebraska -- home sweet home -- if you are from the city -- you will probably not appreciate the freshness of the variety of smells you will encounter -- and they are very fresh in some cases : ).
Today was punishing -- wet and sweaty all day long - ought not to complain, since it was the first time in 25 days that I had to wear the rain jacket all day -- but towards the end of the long day, was walking like Cowboy Bob -- yep -- bow legged old guy - but with a really cool beard --
Finally got to my goal of the day -- on track, in fact ahead of schedule to meet my wife in Santiago on Saturday -- 68 more KMs and three days -- piece of cake -- hard to believe I have walked over 700 kms -- will be strange to actually ride in a car when this is all over --
Once passing Sarria - things seem to be more commercialized -- lots of folks doing their Camino, but not in the purist sense -- not meaning to be a Camino Snob and fully understanding folks have different physical conditions, etc. The fact they are out here is cool -- but guess I just embrace the suck too much -- to me it is part of the physical, emotional, and spiritual experience of Walking the El Camino, from wherever you start -- so I hope folks do not take this wrong -- just an observation and a comment -- other than that, happy folks are out here to experience the pilgrimage in whatever way they determine to do it -- ME -- Embrace the Suck -- Army Thing : ).
Buen Camino!
Today was unbelievable -- I woke up with bed hair and didn't even know it until I looked into the mirror -- it was like -- wow -- been a long time since I had bed hair - and for the folks that know me they will understand this complete amazement and shock --
So after a large coffee and talking to two of the German ladies from last's night dinner - got packed up and and started today's adventure -- feet good (thanks to tape) -- knees good (thanks to chemistry) -- Rain, so had to button down the hatches -- moved out and was enjoying the hike -- good pace -- and then I got to thinking-
The one thing folks have not talked about are the variety of smells you encounter on the El Camino -- I mean everyone talks about the food -- but nothing on the smells -- it is -- well -- stimulating -- you go from fresh mountain forest, to smoke filled villages, baking breads, to well -- lots of cow, horse, and sheep smells -- some more vivid than others -- so I am thinking that maybe when Brierley updates his next version of his El Camino Book -- he ought to think about a Scratch and Sniff section so folks are prepared -- me having grown up mainly in Nebraska -- home sweet home -- if you are from the city -- you will probably not appreciate the freshness of the variety of smells you will encounter -- and they are very fresh in some cases : ).
Today was punishing -- wet and sweaty all day long - ought not to complain, since it was the first time in 25 days that I had to wear the rain jacket all day -- but towards the end of the long day, was walking like Cowboy Bob -- yep -- bow legged old guy - but with a really cool beard --
Finally got to my goal of the day -- on track, in fact ahead of schedule to meet my wife in Santiago on Saturday -- 68 more KMs and three days -- piece of cake -- hard to believe I have walked over 700 kms -- will be strange to actually ride in a car when this is all over --
Once passing Sarria - things seem to be more commercialized -- lots of folks doing their Camino, but not in the purist sense -- not meaning to be a Camino Snob and fully understanding folks have different physical conditions, etc. The fact they are out here is cool -- but guess I just embrace the suck too much -- to me it is part of the physical, emotional, and spiritual experience of Walking the El Camino, from wherever you start -- so I hope folks do not take this wrong -- just an observation and a comment -- other than that, happy folks are out here to experience the pilgrimage in whatever way they determine to do it -- ME -- Embrace the Suck -- Army Thing : ).
Buen Camino!