Day 3 - Walking Again

For the first time on this trek, I had an excellent, unaided sleep.  The place we stayed in overnight was a hotel with a spa.  This was intentional as we spent most of the day in the pool area using the various means to massage our sore legs.  We surprisingly, spent most of the day in the spa area.  Dinner was at a quaint place (seriously, they are all quaint).  Astorga is a large city with many amenities.  We went to the central cathedral and looked around.  The place is incredible.

 It's so ornate it's hard to take it all in.  The architects name is Antonio Gaudi.  He seems to be quite well known for his cathedral architectures.  In all of the major centers that we have visited, his name is on the cathedral.  I've been told by multiple people that when I get to Barcelona, that I need to go see the cathedral there that he had designed.  It's called Sagrada de Fmailia.  Construction started in 1882 and apparently it's still not finished (imagine if it took us that long to build a house dad).

Turned in early so that we could be well rested for the next stage.  There is a bit of a climb up to Robina de Camino and it has quite a bit of rough terrain.

We started out at about 8:30 with the weather being a little cool - but the forecast being reasonably warm and cloudy.  I really like the cloudy days as they are not too hot and they provide good light for pictures!  About 3 Km down the road we stopped at a little place for some breakfast.  Through the speakers in the establishment you could hear classical music and the owner (I assume she was the owner) was very bubbly and cheerful.  We all chose a "free toast" like item off of the counter where all of the food she had on display looked incredible!  We all ordered a "Cafe con letche" (yes I know I don't drink coffee - but I can tell you - this machine that she had in there would make Edgar jellous).  I drank it because it was warm and everyone else was having one.  It was pretty good as far as coffee goes.  On my free toast the lady splashed some Muscato.  Now I know why the Europeans are so laid back!  I guess it's 12:00 somewhere in the world.

Off down the road again as we left the little village out into the countryside.  There is a lot of time to to just think.  We walked for a few hours and stopped at a place to grab some lunch (a sandwich that we could take with us and eat further down the road).  Ran into some people from Ontario and had a short chat with them.  Continued down the trail for quite a while.  As we stopped at a place on the road for lunch, a lady came by and wished us a good Camino. She spoke English so we asked her where she was from and she indicated that she was from Maine, US.  During the course of our short conversation she let us know that she was by herself and that today was her birthday, she was 78 years old.  You read that correctly - 78!  This lady is a real inspiration.  I hope I have half the energy she does when I'm that age.

Once we were done lunch, we got back on the trail and I caught up with another pilgrim.  His name is Anthony, and he's a 72 year old retired MD from England.  We walked along for a long time chatting about many subjects.  We talked about my cancer and he mentioned how I was such a young man to have that kind issue.  We even shared a few stories about Cystoscapy.  It was fantastic.  I think I enjoy the random interactions the most so far.  Almost everyone is so friendly.  We walked along a little further and I stopped at the edge of Rabinal and waited for Brenda and Jim to catch up.  We found a nice Guest house where the three of us could share a room with a private bathroom.  They also served a Pilgrims meal for 10 Europe which included a huge salad and a sea food paella with wine, bread and fruit with cookies for dessert.  We shared the table with a younger German couple who were biking their way from Pampalona to Santiago.  She was just giving up the trip and going to take the bus the rest of the way.  He was going to continue on the bike.  She is studying to be a doctor and he's a business consultant with an HR bent.  We spent a few hours just chatting about a whole range of subjects.

After dinner we went for a short walk to the edge of the village (have to keep moving or I will just stiffen up).  it's very small and picturesque.  Back to the room to do the blog and then time to get ready for bed.  Tomorrow we have a very long downhill component.  These can cause all kinds of leg injuries - so please keep us in your prayers as we continue down the Camino.

One more thing.  There is a tradition on the Camino to have a small rock.  The rock is used to represent something that you are ready to stop crying with you.  When you are ready, anywhere along the way, you just stop and place the rock down - leaving it behind you.  I decided today that my rock will symbolize my cancer.  After two years of follow-ups, things are good and there is no sign of any return.  Although I will carry this with me for the rest of my life, I think I will use my rock to "officially" put it behind me.  I don't know where yet - but I'm sure I'll know it when it comes.  Having Cancer has changed me - and changed me for the better.  I have considered my own mortality and I want to make sure that the days I have left (however many that will be) will be used in a way that is God honoring and meaningful to me and those around me.  Heather - we have to get together when I get back as it's been far too long.  I'd love to just sit and here about your journey and maybe intertwined that with what I've gone through.  Make sure you send me you're email address.

Buen Camino

Curt