The most recent stage of my journey was from Estella to Los Arcos. It was neither particularly long (22 kilometers) nor steep, but it was uneven and rutted and covered with irregular stones. This was a problem for me as the blisters that I had been fighting since the end of day two became much worse. It was apparent when I arrived in Los Arcos, that I would need to let them heal for 2 or 3 days before I would be able to continue the pilgrimage journey. After some discussion, we decided that Dave would continue on foot and I would take the bus to the daily destinations until my feet healed.
Dave really wants to hike all the way through to Santiago and possibly to Finisterre. This site on a spit of land is the westernmost point of land in Spain and it earned its name as the ‘end of the earth’ in pre Roman times. It is not considered to technically be part of ‘the Way’ but many people continue the two days past Santiago to complete their pilgrimage. For me, the pilgrimage is what we experience on the journey. What we see in the beautiful countryside. What we hear with the bird calls and the creeks. The fellowship we experience with the wonderful pilgrims with whom we share the journey. I don’t need to ‘touch all the bases’ in circling the diamond to achieve what I came here for. Plus, it is hard to listen for God or appreciate His creation when all you can think about as you walk are your painful feet.
I have no problem waiting for the appropriate time to start walking again. I came here for the Camino.
Buen Camino
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