Done with Indiana

Charlotte at Cross of Iron, this morning at 6:30.


Two days ago at Astorga, Gaudi´s Palace.


We made it across the meseta (Tierra Del Campo) which was mostly flat, very dry and somewhat monotonous. It is about the size of Indiana. Now we are back in the mountains (three huzzahs!!) which has made me delirious with delight. I LIKE being able to see long distances. Tomorrow we will be within 200 Km (roughly 120 miles) of our goal. Both of us are suddenly being more cautious with our legs, muscles, etc. because if we have to give it up within spitting distance, we will both be very disappointed.

Carla´s toe is still bad. Even with a whole rest day in Leon, it is healing very slowly. It might be because she dreams about the road all night long. How restful can that be? The first night in Leon she thought she was eating up the asphalt literally. The next night we woke to horrific sounds that seems as if the street crew had decided to remove the street at 3 am. The delightfully happy Spainards are on a whole different time schedule than the rest of the world.....giving me another reason to appreciate the villages. They are have been very loudly enjoying their ascension in the World Cup trials. Sunday is the finals: Spàin vs. the Netherlands. We will be in the outback but will likely be able to hear the excitement no matter where we are.

I don´t know if it is a rule of the Camino but everyone has been wonderfully kind to us: fellow pilgrims, hospitajeloros (sp?, Alberge volunteer hosts) and the Spanish people. This is amazing considering the river of peregrinos (pilgrims) that extends 1000s of km from all directions toward Santiago. We´ve bonded with many different walkers, some of which we see again in a few hours, some in a few days, some in a few weeks, and some never again. (We hope they haven´t joined the five or six pilgrims that die in their boots every year.)

The hardest part right now is the 30 degree plus heat. We can´t drink enough. Generally we wake at 5:30, walk immediately and stop for the day about 2 ish after 20-25 km.

Blessings be on all of you,

Love, Charlotte