Day 17: Carrion to Terradillos - 27km

From my Dad:

An eye for an eye only ends up leaving the whole world blind ... Mahatma Gandhi.

Peregrino meal at Albuergue

Today is a special day as we have officially logged over 250 of the 500 miles to Santiago and finished our 17th day of planned 33 days of hiking. Sue is so strong that at the end she said she could hike another 10 miles. I'm not sure I could as my neck is starting to tug a little from the weight on my pack. I've been adjusting the straps with the hope of moving more weight to my hips. I also left behind some all-purpose duct tape today and might leave behind a pair of socks tomorrow. The key is judging how much water to load onto my pack. Today we had a ten mile stretch so I loaded my camelback to the gills plus my PowerBar water bottle and Sue had her Coke zero plus another bottle of agua. Then the weather was in the mid 60's (blessing) so I dumped water like a jet dumping petrol before landing and what a difference it can make. I also carry things like my phone, camera, Nike buttpack, additional water, etc, on my shorts or legs to get the weight off my back (apples in my pocket). Overall we are making good decisions and there's no way we are getting stuck out here with no food and water.

Today we passed through featureless terrain on Roman Road. We talk about the present (gift), rarely the past or future.

We are at an Albuergue tonight with a communal bathroom for only 20 euro plus 8 euro for all our laundry to be washed and dried. There's absolutely nothing going on in this town other than this Albuergue, a dog and two cats. We met new and old friends and settled in for the afternoon and evening. We are touched by Sabina from Slovenia and enjoy her stories from home. We gave foot gel and band aids to Sophia from CT as she is struggling with blisters and foot problems.

Our friends, Jim and Linda, from Toronto

The Camino de Santiago is a special and magical journey. Our lives are continually blessed by people from all over the world ... Slovenia, Netherlands, Ireland, England, South Africa, Spain, France, Germany, Italy, Canada and numerous others. Today we met Jose and his wife who live on The Camino ... See pictures.

We are so fortunate to have a bed tonight as some people are on the floor or dirt by picnic table ... The movie The Way has been great for exposure, but caused an influx of people that's overwhelming these small towns.

We are planning on 17 miles tomorrow then hopefully 26 miles (marathon) on Thursday so as to get to Leon a day early and actually shut down for a couple of days.

God bless any of you still on our blog ... Caitlin says about 2,500 page views. We have trouble responding to comments on our blog from Spain ... so sorry!

God Bless
Esteban y Susanna

I part with these tomorrow ... pant legs, scarf, socks, handkerchief y towel holder

Sue con Coldwell Banker selling a home in Espana

Our lone towel - only one for both of us

Sabina from Slovenia

Do you think Sue ate this?

Sue, Flo and Alexandra

The view for the night

Our abode para noche ... no bano

I'm always working ... potential Nike Camp site

Flecha Amarillo

I would love to take off on this bike!

Our friends from NY biking the Camino

The flies are bugging Sue

Pine trees on the Meseta

We bought a necklace and bracelet to support their way of life

Jose and Laura live on The Camino

The Roman road is difficult to hike

Living in the present and loving it!



Flecha Amarillo is our guide

 

 Smile!