It's funny how a series of unrelated conversations and incidents can come together together here on the Camino. At last nights dinner we chatted about a number of things, including all the churches and the Pilgrims ceremonies they hold. I related the story to Nick about attending mass a few nights ago, closing my eyes and opening up, but nothing happened. I laughed and said " well, he knows where to find me if he wants me". Nick responded with " oh, he will find you all right". There was also considerable discussion about the number of Spaniards who were named Jesus ( pronounced "hey Zeus"), and that we did not do that sort of thing in North America.
The group walked together for most of the morning long grass lined valleys, stopping in Sahagun, a fairly large but sleepy town about halfway through the days 27 km. I am beginning to think the Spaniards sleep 12 hours a day, as the shops are closed more than they are open. We did find a nice little bakery and tried out a new type of pastry, that used fennel giving it a liquorish flavour. Not my cup of tea but the others liked it.
Yesterday's groin problem was popping up again, and I must admit I was starting to get a bit worried. I can take pain, a lot of it, have all my life with all the various ailments and sports injuries, but the word hernia was staring to come into my head. And if that was the case, then this journey would be over. Advil is everyone's best friend out here, as well as topical pain ointments, and I did both before heading out.
About 3 km outside of Sahagun, the pain was so intense, it dropped me right to my knees and I had to take my backpack off and rest. The town of Calzada de Coto was only a km away and all decided I needed to hobble to town and find a cab somewhere. I would taxi the final 9 km and the others would continue their walk. Then the Camino kicked in again. About 5 minutes up the path Judy saw something on the ground and picked it up to see what it was.
Woo woo woo. Jesus the taxi driver came through in my time of need. Nick looked at me and said dryly " guess he found you". Yes indeed Nick and my laughter helped me through the pain into town. Nick took charge of the situation from here, locating a bar to make the call, helping me with my backpack and waiting until the taxi arrived. This is a good man and I had no trouble accepting his help, something that is often difficult for me to do. I hope to take this away with me when we finish the Camino " be as willing to receive as you are to give".
So Mary Lou, Nick and Judy trooped on with a very hard finishing two hours in the hot sun. I felt a little guilty taking the easy way out, until I pulled up to the Mia Trajana alberque in Hermanillos and there was Susan, one of the Freddy girls on Dr ordered rehab, sitting on the deck having a beer. Beer makes everything better. The rest of them made it and we enjoyed another evening of food, drink and comraderie.
No comments:
Post a Comment