Camino Day 6: Getting in the Groove

 Another day on the Camino. It was a day to just make it through. Nothing great; nothing bad. Just moving forward. Life I think is a lot like that as well. Kelly Vogt keeps commenting on Facebook: one foot in front of the other. And that sums up today. 

Spent a good part of my walk with Ahtoo from Figi. Enjoyed walking and talking with her. She is doing the Camino for her mother who died some years back. I’m praying for her s as no her mother tonight. 

Spain is a little different from Portugal. So far the albergues are nicer and cost a little more ($15-20 v $10). The food too is more expensive but we’ve eaten at some great restaurants that often take 45 minutes to get the bill. 

The walk is still beautiful and we are on pace to reach Santiago on Saturday. More to come tomorrow. 

Incredible Day: Day 5 on the Camino

 As bad as day four was for me, day five was tremendous. As we were making our way toward the last mile of day four I was moving pretty slow. My partners told me we had just 15 minutes to make it to our albergue to guarantee our spot for the night. With my blisters, now I also had to walk fast! But we made it. I was greeted by a beautiful lady and a glass of cold water (believed it or not, cold water is not always easy to find!). 

A word about albergues. As I mentioned in my first or second post, an albergue is a hostel that caters to pilgrims on the journey.  You must show your pilgrim’s passport to stay at the albergue. There are usually dorm style rooms, most of the time filled with bunk beds. The cost is usually $10 per person in Portugal and $15 per person in Spain. On our third night, in the town of Ville do Conde, we splurged for a semiprivate room $25. Mark, my new friend from Michigan, and I shared a room. A lot of the albergues are former convents and monasteries. 

As I mentioned in my last post, we have added a day to our walking. We are now doing the 172 miles in 11 days. We cut off 4 miles of day one by taking a train through the city; we are going to cut off another four at the start of day 7 the same way. This will keep us to 12 mile days which is all I can do. 

Another change we made is to take the coastal route the entire way. Great decision. Today was absolutely gorgeous as we meandered our way through village after village in Spain. We were walking ocean side 90% of the day. Thanks to our traveling companion Carolein from Holland, a nurse and an experienced hiker, my blisters were uncomfortable but not painful and did not get any worse. 

When we reached our $15 bed for the night we discovered it came with an ocean view. Check out the photos on Facebook. The weather was perfect. We had some great meals and great conversations as we walked. I “attended” Mass with all of you at JPII; congrats to our newly. 

Thanks for all the prayers. I really felt them today. 

Ouch! Day Four

 Day four kicked my butt! We did 28.6 kilometers; just under 18 miles. There were a lot of climbs, a little ocean, a late start, and lots of sun. I developed my first blister, luckily traveling with some seasoned pilgrims and they gave me what I hope will turn out to be good advice. 

At the end of the day, the group began to discuss the forward trek. We are 160 kilometers from Santiago. Each 10 kilometers is about 6 miles. Not sure what the rest of the group is doing, but I’m adding another day and limiting my days to 20kl/12 miles. I just can’t do 18.  I think a couple of others in the group are taking that route so I should not be alone. Our “group” started with 4. We now number 8. The Camino has a way of multiplying friends. 

For now, my pack has not been a problem so I will continue to carry. That may change later. 

Say a prayer for me. I want to keep going. I want my body to hold out, especially my feet. So all you prayer warriors send up a prayer for my feet. More to come tomorrow. 

Camino Day 3 In The Books.

 We started out the day with a forecast of rain (80% chance) for the first half of the day. I was glad it was only a 12 mile walk. Had the rain gear on for the first ten minutes and it was dry the rest of the way. 

As we checked in to the albergue last night, we were asked the purpose for our pilgrimage. I said it was spiritual. But it gave me pause to think: why does anyone go on a pilgrimage? To grow in one’s faith is one reason. To become closer to God is another. To check the place of pilgrimage off a bucket list might be a third. Add to that, spending time with friends. To say I did it also comes to mind. All of those are true for me. 

But the Camino has been more than all of  that for me. The Camino is a reminder that many people are still seeking the good. Many people are still searching for the other. Call it God; call it peace; call it fulfillment. Call it what you will but people want. So much do that they walk hundreds of miles in search of “IT.”  St. Augustine said. Our hearts are restless, O God, until it rests in thee.”

There are two routes from Porto to Santiago: the coastal route and the inner route. For our first four or five days we are traveling the coastal route. However, today’s trek was mostly in land with very little oceanside walking. We traveled on cobblestone roads, dirt roads, trails and even had to do a little bouldering. We saw elevation changes for the first time as we journeyed over a hill about the size of the “knobs” in southern Indiana.

Typical albergues rune 10 euros a night. Tonight albergue is the first to offer private rooms. I took advantage of it (no climbing into a top bunk) and enjoyed a hotel room like setting for 27.50e. The building itself is an old monastery.  Beautiful structure and wonderful place to stay. I continue to be amazed at the number of people I am meeting. Rodney from Australia has joined our group for a while. I walked with Jenny and Catherine from Ireland and I met a Franciscan Friar from South America. People walk with you for a while and then either you are they move on  happy to have shared the time  

Tomorrow we journey on. I think it is a 17 mile day. My body is still good. Some small blisters might be forming on a couple of toes-watching them to see how it goes. I have some cream that I hope will keep them at bay. Say a prayer for as I continue to pray for all of you. 

Day 2:The Camino Gets Real

 I’ve learned a little bit about Portuguese weather. 90% chance of rains means it won’t rain; 30% means you’ll get drenched. We had a 30% chance today. Actually the team was only for about an hour and a half. 

My spirits remain good and I’m still glad I came. In fact, already thinking about The Return to The Camino. There is a sense of peace as you walk with hundreds of other pilgrims toward our common goal: the Church of St. James in Santiago de Compostela. There is a lot of mutual support from other pilgrims calling out the phrase “bon Camino” in many languages. Someone told me that the Camino gives you energy and I’ve found that to be true. 

I was worried about back to back long days on the Camino, but I’m glad to report I’m still doing well. My spirits are high. My body is 80%. A little hikers rash on my legs but my feet are still solid. 

Tomorrow is a smaller day-12 mikes I think. Pictures on Facebook. 

Day 1 Complete

 We started off at Porto with a threat of rain. Frankly, I did not look forward to a wet first day. But as I said before God is good; All the time and All the time; God is good. A few sprinkle in three different occasions. We picked up two pilgrims on the way: Jan from Las Vegas (God is ….) and Mark from Michigan. Mark stayed with us the whole time; Jan dropped off at about mile 10 of 17 we did today. The original plan called for 21 miles today but as I said yesterday, someone at the albergue (pronounced al ber gay) suggested a shortcut that saved us four miles. 

We arrived at the hostel at about 2:30.  My legs are good. My back is good. My feet are good. God is good. 

There was a Camino sign on the way that said, “Once a pilgrim; always a pilgrim.” This is so true. And we are all pilgrims on this earth making our way to that great albergue in the sky. 

We are taking the coastal route for another three days before turning inward for the inner route. Walking along the Atlantic, mostly on boardwalks, was an enjoyable first day on the Camino. 

I’ll report back in tomorrow after day two. 

The Scallop Shell

 I have arrived in Porto where tomorrow I begin my pilgrimage on the Camino. The weather forecast is 90% chance of rain but so far that hasn’t dampened my spirits. I’m ready for whatever the Camino brings me. 

I have my Camino passport and my scallop sea shell. There are various legends why pilgrims carry the shell. Here are a few of them. 

According to one story, the ship that was carrying St. James’ body was destroyed in a storm, and his body was discovered on the shore completely undamaged because he was covered in scallop shells.

A second myth tells us that the ship passed by a beach wedding, and it scared the horse ridden by the bride. The horse got into the water with her on its back, but, thanks to Divine Intervention, they were saved, emerging from the water covered in scallop shells.

There is another legend saying that while the ship with St. James’ body was passing beneath a cliff, a knight fell from the top, and a miracle made the knight emerge from the sea covered in scallop shells.

Whatever the reason it is a part of the Camino and I’m excited to have mine. Tomorrow’s day is supposed to be 21 miles but I’m hearing talk of a shortcut that knocks off 4. I imagine I’ll be taking it. 

Looking forward to what I’ll be posting tomorrow after my first full, probably rainy day on the Camino de Santiago. 

Since pictures aren’t loading here. Check out my posts on Facebook for pics. 

Fatima

 Arrived this morning in Lisbon and picked up my rental car. Asked the attendant for a map and was informed they don’t have one. Hoping some road signs might be in English, but alas…

I knew I needed A1 north. Just wasn’t sure where to find it. I literally made two guesses at turns and there it was. 

Arrived in Fatima about 1:00 local time and spent the day walking around town and praying my way through the day  Did midday prayer in the hotel chapel and celebrated Mass in Portuguese at the chapel of the death of Jesus. 

Came back to my room to rest a piece and will be going out for dinner soon  

It’s amazing how God provides  First, funding the highway after only two turns. Then broke a strap on my backpack and someone st the hotel was able to repair it  God is good All the time and All the time God is good.

Tomorrow I drive on to Porto and begin the Camino on Wednesday.

Not sure if the pics are coming through when I post them from my phone. Can someone let me know. Here are 2 or 3 of 

Almost there!

 I’ve made it to Boston and await my connecting flight to Lisbon. 3198 miles to go.  As I begin this journey I ask the question I ask on every retreat that I make or lead: what is it that God has planned for me. I always think of retreats/pilgrimages as time belonging to God. My task is to remain open to the journey that lies before me. Pray for me. Pray for my openness. Pray that God will reveal to me what God wants for me to get out of this journey. More tomorrow from Fatima. 

Journey to the Camino

 Greetings friends: as you can see I don’t post often on my blog. Usually just when I’m doing something different or special. Like right now. On Sunday, I leave to walk the Camino de Santiago. I fly to Lisbon, Portugal where I will arrive on Monday. I’ll drive to Fatima for an overnight and then on to the Cathedral in Porto where I will begin the 180 mile hike to Santiago de Compostela. I hope to post each day as I join the pilgrims who are making their way to this holy site. Please pray for me (and my feet).