Camino Days 15 & 16
Day 15: Playa Samil to Redondela, 14.4 miles
Day 16: Redondela to Pontevedra, 14.3 miles (plus 1650 ft climb)
What a joy to have shorter days!
Yesterday was Sunday and shortly into our walk we passed a church with its bells ringing. This made me think of Taize, the monastic community at which I will spend a week next month. In the morning we are called to the sanctuary by bells for prayer. I took this as a sign to begin my own prayer time.
We walked into Vigo with a couple of guys from Holland and stopped for coffee and a toast with tomato jam.
We then partied ways, and we soon took a detour to a cool looking church (sadly it was closed).
We entered into the sub-100 km realm of the Camino which makes it much more crowded.
We had a GREAT lunch about a mile(ish) from our end point, and then made our way to our home for the night, Casa de la Abuela. Our host, Augusto, was fabulous, and we were staying in the apartment that was previously his grandmother's. She was the first female pharmacist in Redondela so health was his priority. He offered each pilgrim a satchel with rejuvenating herbs for a hot foot bath. Wow, was that great! The apartment had 4 bedrooms. We were in one, two rooms each had a solo male pilgrim, and the other room had two young women. I took a nap while Michelle chatted with the guys, and then we all hung out for a while.
Michelle and I went to a great dinner spot for seafood and salad. Soon after our appetizer came, in walked one of our housemates, so we all dined together. John is from Sri Lanka but lives in Australia, and we had a nice time.
Day 16
Michelle went to the store yesterday for today's breakfast and lunch provisions, so we cooked and had coffee early and hit the road by 7:30am to beat the heat. Today's walk was SPECTACULAR! It was primarily on forrest trails, and while there was some climbing, it was beautiful and we had many special moments.
I had a profoundly spiritual moment on an alternative trail along a creek that took us just off the noisy and dangerous roads.
A tree was uprooted and leaned on another, reminding me that when we find ourselves uprooted and ungrounded, we often need to lean on those around us for support.
In another spot, many of the roots of a tree were exposed and wearing down. It was neat to see them, but also a good reminder that we need to protect the things that root us in life so we can be nourished and flourish.
As I walked along the stream I began reciting the 23rd Psalm: The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want…he leads me beside still waters, he resores my soul. I reflected on each of the verses and pondered how they speak to me now, on this leave, and in this moment.
Michelle has been walking ahead and met a friend from Slovakia. Two men were tucked off on the side of the road and a group of people were waiting. She would have walked right by (as would have I), but Rico recognized the men from a YouTube video (or something). They stopped and when I got there I did too. These men have been walking from the Vatican to Santiago for 5 months, breaking often to create the most unique, artistic, amazing stamps for Pilgrims! They even had spa-like music playing. It was amazing! Michelle gave them each one of her WayfarerShells and we both got a wax stamp.
At that point we were only a short distance from our destination and we got to check into our hotel early. Our bags hadn't even arrived yet, but since it was cooler and we were in the shade most of the day, we weren't uncomfortably sweaty.
We've done some trip planning (changing things twice, but it's all good), cleaned up, and elevated our feet while taking care of things.
Today was a great day all around. We are now rested enough to go explore the historic town of Pontevedra.
Tomorrow is an exciting day as we take the Spiritual Variant, adding a few days to the typical route to Santiago.
Post-script: I had a bunch of itchy red bumps on my feet that I couldn't explain. At dinner a few turned into blisters, and I quickly became super uncomfortable. The owner of the restaurant where we ate dinner pointed out that there was a medical professional in house. He assessed my feet and recommended ice and elevation. Dr Michelle added to that an antihistamine which we got on the walk home. Pray that they get better and it doesn't disrupt tomorrow's walk!
Day 16 (Mon July 7)
I just luv seeing your daily notes on where u are and seeing these beautiful pics. We‘re leaving Friday so my comments might slow down….. however, you keep moving & sharing. I really liked the still waters & the fallen but supported trees!🙏😁
Praying for happy feet!