The highlight of the day was the early morning ascent to Alto de Perdon. If you have ever seen pictures of bronze pilgrim figures that look as though they are battling with the wind, it is this site. At merely 7:00 in the morning, it was cold, but the pictures were super as was the view back to Pamplona.
My traveling buddy Daniela took a side route which gave me some alone time today, and as I struggled onward in the heat of the afternoon and the growing blisters on my feet, I was forced to come to a point of release today, of letting go of the many expectations I had, mainly of myself, on this journey. I had to let go of thinking my feet will feel better each morning and of the notion that I may ever be able to walk 30 km in a day. It was a crazy thing, but in releasing those plans of my own making, I felt a release of pressure on myself. Pressure that you the reader will be disappointed when my "Santiago Tales" don't even make it to Santiago perhaps. I now know that I will walk what I can every day, and that will be just great. I'll see landscapes, I'll still meet a whole slew of international people, and by the time my plane takes off, I will definitely be in Santiago, even if by bus.
When I took off my shoes this night, I discovered two blood blisters, one on each heel and both the size of my thumb. That's a new one.
Flexibility and adjustment of expectations is a sign of wisdom. Please be careful, permanent damage to your feet is much too high a price for this hike. We love you and think you are the greatest! Papa
ReplyDeleteBe careful with those blisters! I won't fortify you with my own tales. Just be careful! Sheryl
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