8 hours 10 minutes-33.2 km
I think that every village is at the bottom of a long steep hill, as it seems each morning we have a good climb, with the light from our little headlamp bobbing along in the dark.
We walked to what we thought would be our next destination and arrived before 11AM and the Pilgrim hostel would not be open till 3PM.
The next village was about a 2 1/2 hours away.
It is Sunday and nearly everything is closed. We got a bite to eat and decided to push on.
We had the toughest longest climb and a very steep descent. It was longer than we thought and seemed like it took forever.
We found the place we intended to stay and there was nobody there and it looked dirty and uncomfortable. We backtracked through the village and found a private hostel.
When we got there the man was explaining in Spanish and I couldn't talk to him in English, let alone Spanish.
I completely shut down. I plopped down on a chair and started crying. MELT DOWN!!
Ron arranged for our stay, I flopped on my bunk to take a nap. I started to shake uncontrollably.
I knew my sugar levels and electro-lites must be out of whack and I was having symptoms of hypothermia.
Ron got me orange juice and water, and I took a very long, and very hot shower, then slept for about I hour. Then I has some tea and a sugary pastry and another bottle of water.
I am fine now.
The high points of the day were the beautiful medieval churches, the ruins of a 14th century convent, and the ruins of a castle high on the hill above a village we passed through.
My lesson for the day is as Joyce Rupp recommends in her wonderful book "Walk In A Relaxed Manner". The title says it all.
No more rushing. Normally we stop for a break and eat something and drink plenty of water and juice, at least every 1 1/2 to 2 hours. But today we slogged on too far and too fast on a strenuous terrain without breaks.
Tomorrow will be a slow and leisurely walk with lots of breaks.
Love to all
Rita
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
I think everyone who does the Camino will recognise the phenomenon of the unexpected 'bad day' that seems to come out of nowhere. Thinking of you, and hope tomorrow is better!
ReplyDeleteI am in awe of your endurance Rita!...hope the path tomorrow is gentler!
ReplyDeleteHi Mom, I agree you should not be pushing yourselves too hard. You walked an extra 3 hours the other day as well. Theres nothing wrong with taking out your sleeping bag and meditating while you wait for a hostel to open. When Ellen and I arrive, we plan on walking very leisurely. Try to condition yourself for that. I hope for better news today. Stay in a hotel for a couple days or even a week. Love Heidi
ReplyDeleteSometimes meltdowns are needed....I am glad to hear you are fine now! Ellen
ReplyDeleteRita, very cool. I found you on adventurewoman.com and I have a friend who just finished filming an upcoming documentary on the Camino. You can find her info at www.caminodocumentary.org Lydia is super cool and is in the funding stage of producing the documentary. The Camino touched her life in a very real way.
ReplyDeleteYou can check me out by looking at www.whitewaterwarehouse.com I just finished writing a piece for Adventure Woman's website on white water kayaking. Great sport for women!
Best of luck on your big adventure...Joy Henkle
More learning experiences! I am travelling once more the Camino with you in spirit. Stay cool, keep relaxed, stop and look around. Drink plenty - and don't push yourself too hard :) Best SW
ReplyDelete