Lots of lessons learned this Camino! The main one was to be a little gentler on myself. I never want to ask or expect help, and for this Camino. I had to put my pride aside.
It definitely is hard to decide if it was the trail that challenged my body or my age. It was probably both. I’m definitely not used to my body not being able to do exactly what I wanted to do, but this year I had to dig deep to keep climbing.
It’s hard to be vulnerable, to affect someone else’s Camino by them having to walk your pace, and to add concern to Josh’s already challenging days. But we were a team and walked one of the most challenging Caminos together.
There were so many more highlights than low moments. Josh and I share a love and curiosity of nature. I believe we both breathe deeper when we are in the forest. Sharing our observations of our surroundings’ sounds, sights, and smells will always be held close to my heart.
Now we are resting our weary feet and legs, enjoying the food and culture of Spain.
Santiago was busy and noisy with celebrations!
We ate at some wonderful tavernas and bars…
Got our certificates of completions of the Primativo (Compostela certificate).
Then we were off to Madrid for a night…
It was 97°, and there was a huge week-long celebration of Gay Pride Week in Madrid, with the streets full of parties, music, and revelry. We were exhausted pilgrims, so we ate a quick lunch, walked a bit, found some insanely great gelato, a gourmet food market, and then watched the fun from our window…
We were up at 4:30 am to catch a plane to Malaga where we met Maria (my Danish daughter) and Benny. They flew in from Denmark to share their beautiful property in Lanjaron with us.
Here we will spend three days in Benny and Maria’s quiet mountain retreat being treated to their exceptional hospitality.
Full of admiration. Last month I was at the doctor complaining of being tired and wasn’t sure if it was my age or something was wrong physically. He said our generation has been going full tilt our entire adult lives and now we’re puzzled that we can’t keep going like in our “youth”! We’re all like the Energizer Bunny!
It is hard to learn that it is ok not to be the leader. 😎🥰
I am so proud of you…both!
also, I envy you having your son with you! Is Josh Eva’s Dad?
I feel your challenge. I am not sure I can do my next Camino like I did the first because of back/age issues. That is hard to admit! I was thinking this morning as I biked to Yoga at Annapolis City Dock that I should just do the Norte in May and possibly use a company rather than not doing another Camino ever again. Age is a tough call but we need to listen to our bodies..dammit! You did it! Love you!
Josh is Eva’s uncle. It was hard to have my body not do what I wanted. I decided that I didn’t need to pack my whole pack again. I sent 5 # each day when my knee started hurting. I will be smarter next time. I will do the Frances again with plenty of days and just walk 10-15 miles a day. Maybe I will do some of the shorter Caminos before; English or Spiritual Variant of the Portuguese.