Amy and Tami completed their Camino by climbing up a steep hill to the mesa (table) of Alto Mostelares, to an alititude of 900 meters. From the top, we could see back on the beautiful meseta we had walked, the windmill farms, the Palencia mountains to the north, and the endless ploughed fields that were ready for winter and to be planted in the spring. Only a few fields had any signs of the previous season's crop - a few alfalfa and dried sunflowers here and there as we walked by.
We have experienced frosty mornings, radiant sunshine, cool breezes, and long autumn afternoons. We usually got out the door about 8am to enjoy our morning tea and tostada and started walking by 9 or so. We walked until 4 or 5, depending on the day, and although tired and sore at the end of the day, we found the energy to go out for a fun and lively meal with vino tinto or if we were really lucky, vino riojo. We have found out that vino tinto is pilgrim's wine that is more often than not watered down. The good stuff is vino riojo - red wine, not pink!
We mostly walked on paths off the road, sometimes the ancient Roman roads that were made from stone that had been imported to make these roads 2000 years ago. They were straight, raised, flat, and level. On Monday we walked for 12 kilometers through wide open space on such a road. I often wondered how many people, Roman soldiers and Camino pilgrims alike, have walked this road over the past 2000 years. My favorite path was from Villlcazar to Poblacion when we got to walk by a river. They cottonwood trees were golden. The bushes and grasses were in their full autumn splendor and Nature held and nourished me from her very roots in the soil of the Earth. I felt loved, inspired, nurtured, and moved - during this part of the walk, I connected to my Soul and my truth.
We ended the walking today with a final Pilgrim's Lunch at La Taberna in Castrojeriz, sitting outside in the shade enjoying lentil soup, ensalada, beef or fish with patates (fries) and flan for dessert (postre), all with some great wine, lots of laughter and gratitude. The taxi arrived to take us to Burgos as Tami and Amy leave tomorrow for Madrid to fly home on Saturday.
The timing of their visit, and their Camino, has been perfect. Sharon and I walked through our transition with them walking with us. Another blog for the internal journey that occurred simultaneously to the external one, but suffice it for now to say that every step with Tami and Amy has all been a gift of grace and now I am preparing for the next leg of this auspicious journey.
Buen Camino!
Suseya,
Sarah
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Now you are sounding more like a pilgrim to me, which I define as somebody who has walked in hardship over a long distance but continues on till they reach their sacred place. This posting shows your Camino growth.
ReplyDeleteBuen camino
Luiza