Gratitude

 

I realized today, while walking, how grateful I am. I am grateful for the people in my life, my family and everything I have. I have many blessings. I am grateful for the opportunity to experience the Camino.

I had been in a kind of funk in my life since December. I was not as happy as usual. I was not enjoying my life. I was pretty miserable. I felt a bit like I couldn’t do anything right. I did not have enough purpose. 

Something about this experience has transformed me. I feel like my old self again. I have had the chance to be alone with myself walking. I have shared deep long intimate conversations with my friends here. I don’t have all the answers to my questions. Hopefully the Camino will show me the way.

I am out of my funk big time. Feeling great. Enjoying life. I love who I am and how I feel.

Now, back to everyday Camino life. I have so much to say. I’ll try to keep it brief.

We had a simple dinner of paella and sangria last night in Najera. Jayne, Justin, Lea and me. Lynda stopped by at our table after dinner with naughty chocolate. At least that is what we thought she said in her delightful British accent. We enjoyed the nutty chocolate. I am in love with Linda’s accent. I’ll try to get a video and post it. 

Jayne and I started out together from Najera at 7:00 am. My foot was pretty painful. I had a lot of doubt about the walk. I had on my open toe sandals with socks. I had dressed my two bad toes. 

Partway thru the walk my left toes hurt so I took that sock off. That felt good so I took the other sock off - now barefoot in sandals. My feet got filthy but it eased the pain a lot. I got a lot of sympathy because of the bandage on my toe. 

We walked 13.6 miles to Santo Domingo. 

Along the way, we met the two doctors from San Francisco we kept hearing about: Chuck and Don. 

Not really doctors. Not real San Franciscans (Pleasanton and Dublin, CA). Jayne walked with them. I walked with Lynda and Jenny. 

In Santo Domingo, we had steaks for lunch and beer with the “doctors” and the Brits.

Justin arrived late because he had gone to the post office in Najera to send 10 pounds of extra stuff on to Santiago. Oops. Post Office closed on Saturday. He had to carry that extra ten pounds today. 

Chuck kindly gave me some extra gauze and tape for my toes. Jayne brought me ice. The Camino provides.

From Jayne: Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is the present because it is a gift.

Don, the other “doctor” is having a hard time ordering wine. He wants Crianza but doesn’t get it because he says credenza. 

We made it by cab to our Albergue in Gronon, a town 3 miles away. Santo Domingo was fully booked. Jayne has us booked for the next several stops. Looking forward to Burgos. A bigger city. We have an actual apartment there. We want Lea to cook lasagna for us. We’ll see. 

I am thinking about all my blessings. 

love

the bear