Day 21 on the Camino

We are in Astorga, around 275 km to go to Sanitago. Hard to believe. We are leaving the meseta ("little table") and entering the foothills of the mountains of León. The next few days are up and over the mountain, the highest point on the Camino Francés.

We are doing well, my (PC) ankle and knee hurt in the morning most and it warms up after about an hour or walking. Ivy has some pain from blisters, but she is learning all sorts of great taping techinques.

Aldo, our friend, who in three stages, walked from Mt. St. Michel in France to Santiago (and Finisterre) told us what he learned about the Camino. "Eight hours of pain, 15 min. of pleasure with a shower, and joy with a beer." So far, so good. ;-p Sometimes it is 20 mins.

But also, he said that we would experience everything in life in a very short time span. He has been right. There have been excitement of a new day, a new place to go, the routine of packing up and taking care of our feet. Hunger, sadness, happiness, thirst, companionship, and so much more. Also, he said that we could learn about living modestly, and when you are a stranger in town carrying all you have on your back, you learn to appreciate the smallest things. A smile, a welcome, a fountain to drink from, a place to sit in the shade.