Even though the guidebook described it as a “tranquil walk” today, Sarah held us to a torrid pace today and we completed our 24K/15 mile hike by 2pm….our earliest finishing time to date. When we checked into our room at the “casa rural”, I was expecting I might get criticized for not keeping up, but when I turned around…she was already asleep. That’s efficiency.
The rolling countryside was beautiful again today…with wide sweeping views…as we are approaching the end of the Rioja valley. Our path took us near the highway at times…and some experienced hikers complain about these more “urban” stretches of the Camino…but we found it motivating as a number of vehicles honked their encouragement. Reminds me of the constant “encouragement” I receive from taxi drivers while walking cross-town in Manhattan.
The number of pilgrims seems to be increasing as we move west. We met some very nice, interesting people today. Every one had a story…and all of them were simultaneously “inspiring” and “a little crazy”. A university graduate from Slovakia who recently completed a 10-month trip from Slovakia across the Balkans and the entirety of Asia…hitch-hiking! A guy in his 60s from the UK who started his Camino pilgrimage in northern France 5 years ago and dedicates 1 week per year to complete 100 more miles – with 400 miles to go…he expects to complete his “stop/start” pilgrimage in Santiago de Composatela in 2020!! A family group of 7 from Utah/Idaho heading all the way to Santiago, staying together in hostels/albergues every night – the makeup of this family are 2 sets of grandparents and 3 of their pre-teen grandsons!!!
(Note the increasing number of exclamation points used above with each example…in direct proportion to the increasing level of insanity. Thumbing for a ride at night in Ho Chi Minh City sounds absolutely nuts, right? Now…contemplate sleeping 30+ straight nights in the same room with three 12-year old boys. These are the greatest, most insane grandparents…ever.)
Stay classy…(actually saw this on a t-shirt today…)
I can definitely picture you and Sarah grandparenting this way 🙂
Hello, as you approach the destination the number of pilgrims will increase, as they adapt it to the days available to make the journey. The last hundred kilometers are the busiest, because it is the minimum distance to get the compostela.
Indeed crazy stories of people you meet… For me, especially the man in his 60’s is quite impressive. I KNOW I will NEVER achieve such PATIENCE!
Funny how the word “old” is such a relative term and one that gets put in perspective when you travel in Europe. We have lots (and lots) of Revolutionary-era houses where my home base is in PA. So we think old is 250 years. Down here in FL….or more specifically, out to dinner, we se old as 85+. But when you go to the old country and see 1000, 2000…..it makes you really think and brings into perspective some of the smallness of the daily state of our affairs. And just to not be serious….having just passed 61 yesterday (and I ain’t talking Roger Maris 61, or Babe Ruth 60), I wonder what my personal cathedral would look like at 1,000….
Happy Belated Birthday, Gary! Agree with your comments on relative age…Going to mass tonight at a monastery built in the 12th century. I am sure your cathedral would be sturdy with ornate flying buttresses.
Thanks Ron Burgundy