Similar to two days ago, today was a mundane 16 mile walk, except it was hot. When we left Astorga it was warm and by about 10 am it was toasty. We climbed about 1500 feet in elevation and the views are really nice. We were talking during happy hour (which happens for us at the first bar in town that has shaded outdoor seating) how ancient almost everything is in the small villages.
A couple of other items of note. As you probably know we lost everyone in our community of peregrinos such that it’s Rick and me. Today we made two new friends. we met Renee from Calif (late 30’s) and Holly (late 30’s). Holly is 15 years engineer in Navy and knows B&W boilers. I don’t know yet why she is walking. Renee doesn’t know after walking 2 months in France and here what she is looking for but its apparent to me she is searching for something (which every peregrino is doing) but doesn’t know what. She hasn’t been able to make friends recently and I’m thinking she may walk some with us. They both are joining us for paella, salad,wine and I’m sure something else.
Second, I learned yesterday that for some reason people can’t make comments on this blog. I can’t figure out why so you can always text me comments to my USA phone number. I love that taste of home.
Lastly, tomorrow I lay my brother Rodney rock that I brought from home at the foot of the Cruz de Ferro cross. I don’t know what to expect but believe in the healing power of the cross and Jesus. Renee asked me why I’m walking and I gave her my normal answer of challenge and that I lost my brother three days before leaving the states. For maybe the first time I did not tear up while saying this and even commented to Rick that I did this. I also told Rick that i need some time at Cruz de Ferro tomorrow.
I did laundry yesterday in our apartment.
