Month: May 2017

Happy Birthday N!!!

I don’t know how to sing happy birthday with an Australian accent, so……..
We love the pictures and the broad smiles on your faces! I don’t imagine that trekking in the rain could have been that great but skin and clothes will dry in time and consider that God took care of the rinse cycle.
We love you guys, pray for you each morning and I check this site a few times/day.
Donna and I are headed to Fla. on Thursday, hopefully to see our niece graduate from high school. She has moved out again and I will settle for just seeing her, period. Ha!

Love
Pedro and the Missus. #knn

Trying to post but most times will not submit. Not sure what I am doing wrong. Any suggestions? Please tell Nadine Happy Birthday for tomorrow. Praying. The pictures are just beautiful and fun times by all. Becky J

Not really sure about the posting problems. Sorry. Nadine and Ken have moved on again so I’ll miss her bday too. But I’ll text her for you.

About last night…

As I mentioned, we stayed at Granon last night (met up with Nadine and Ken again ironically).
Granon is another donativo and that alone makes it special. Even more so however are several things they do there including…
Sleeping in the church belfry, preparing meals together, yoga/stretching, communal dinner, meditation/reflection time in the choir of the church after dinner and sleeping on mats (much more comfortable than you are probably thinking).
It is just a very unique and special experience and one that I will be remembered and treasured for a long time.
-Mark

Cindy # group

Cindy – I have not met you, but have heard of you through Mark and Nadine.  I am their sister-in-law.  I am amazed at how brave you are tackling Camino by yourself.  I do not think I could do this walk — especially without the support of familiar friends/family.  Hats off to you!  (but put it back on quickly, as the sun is warm there).  🙂  Blessings and prayers as we follow your journey from Virginia.  Carmen

First and maybe only “cheat”

We woke this morning to a thunderstorm in Logrona. Knowing from our last Camino that the next two days were interesting but more of what we’d already seen Allison and I took advantage of the poor weather to take our one and likely only bus ride a day ahead to Santa Domingo de la Calzada. We walked from there to Granon.

Granon is Special…more later. – Mark

Swedish connect. We just had the most delightful dinner with two Swedish companions on Camino-Ben and Brit. What lovely people. Gwen, I handed over my first card to our server tonight. She probably served 50 people tonight in the place we ate our Pilgrim’s Dinner in the hour we were there. I could tell she was touched. Sometimes those are the ones who work so hard that some would consider menial tasks and their efforts should be noticed. What is it about who will enter the kingdom? Wasn’t it the least of these. All are precious in His sight. I’m loving Camino. Ken is even up at 530 am walking the Camino . What an adventure! Nadine

Observations

Pilgrims have a unique starting walk after a rest, it’s a bit like hobble and waddle. Helma calls it “duck walk”. 😂 Many have sunburned legs, but only the back, since we are walking east to west we have the morning and midday sun behind us and afternoon sun to our left. I am not an exception. Not much sunburn, but definitely a different color on the back. Sunscreen is applied especially well to the backs of legs and arms. -cindy

Grañón.

Along the way to Santo Domingo; bridge leaving Santo Domingo; tonight’s accommodations in the belfry of the church in Gañón at San Juan Bautista. It’s donativo/donation only with communal meal. Feet felt ok today. Each day I evaluate how far I can walk and stop where necessary. Ran into Slovenian gal, Arenata, whom I met some days ago. Funny how some people weave their way into and out of your life. Weather much more bearable today-partly sunny with a lovely breeze. Folks are saying rain is coming along with cooler temps. -Cindy

Error
This video doesn’t exist

Stupid-Long Day

Well, Allison and I had our adventures getting up at 5am and starting out in the dark and cool air. We began along Roman roads, took an alternate (longer and more countryside) route around Estella, stayed a bit too long at the Bodegas Irache (winery), walked to our destination only find it full. That left us with one choice…walk another 12km to Los Arcos. That’s a 36+km (>22.4mi) day in the hot sun.
Too long but we scraped by without blisters.
We are beat though and treating ourselves to. Private pension for the night.

More later
-Mark

Walking

Today was the first day that was dry and one where we were both home at a decent time. Donna,Sonny and me walked for about 20min in our neighborhood and hopefully we will continue to do so in honor of the commitment #knn have made but on an infinitely smaller scale, lol. We pray for you each morning and look forward to your posts of prose and pictures each day.

God bless you all
Pedro and the Missus
#knn

Enjoying seeing the pictures and stories.  FINALLY! A picture of Nadine with a HAT on.  We’ve all been asking “Where is Nadine’s hat???  She should have a hat on!”  lol  Question for you Mark – Why do you have two fingers bandaged together?  Hope it was nothing serious.  Chilly and rainy Memorial Day weekend here.  Praying for your journey….Carmen & Rodney #knmagroup

Alburgue

, Nadine. Some have asked about where we sleep. When we arrive at an Alburgue you typically pay for your bed , remove your hiking shoes and place in a common area ( that smells quite pungent) . You are given a room location and specific bunk. Sometimes together, sometimes not. You empty your pack and find your shower great and head there to become somewhat human again. After the shower (which be may or may not be gender specific) you either have a pilgrimage dinner at be the Alburgue or head into town to walk around and find a place to purchase some food for the following day’s walk. . Back to the Alburgue if you’re in town . You FALL into bed around 830-900.

Nájera

Bused to Nájera. Toured the Monastery of Santa Maria Real with a lovely lady from Holland whom I met on the bus and the queue for the albergue.

There is a soccer match today and the hard core fans are already out. One bar closed for siesta, so they made their way to another. And we thought our sports fans were over the top. The match is at 9:30 pm and they started cheering around 2 pm.

Glad for the day off. Yes, feet have several blisters, but I am managing. Today they are drying out. Knees are in good shape. Back is ok. Rest of the body seems fine.

So what is an average day? Walking very early and with continued heat, probably starting 5am. Breakfast along the way usually tea and toast or pastry. A couple rest stops, one that will include lunch either purchased the day before or at a bar/cafe enroute. Trying to arrive by 1pm at that day’s stop as albergues fill up. Shower, laundry, rest, dinner. Early bedtime if possible. I must admit feeling a bit of a competition for a place to sleep. -Cindy

Traveled today from Zariquiegui too the Pilgrim’s monument, Alto del Person, through beautiful Puente La Reina with it’s Queen’s Bridge. Dona Major,. Wife if Sancho III had this picturesque bridge built to provide safe transport of medieval Pilgrim’s. We purchased wonderful fruit, some olive chips…yummy and a replacement water bottle. We meet up with Mark and Allison and walked with them to their stopping point. Ken and I continued for another 6 km finishing our longest day of 28 km. Long day. Ken and I will spend the night in separate areas as this is a segregated Alburgue. Neither once of us are happy about the arrangements but couldn’t walk the additional 8.5 km to the next town.
Nadine

Tres anos pasada

I think that’s about right for “3 years ago”…Allison and I had to halt our Camino for a day because she had so many blisters. We’re blessed that this year we’ve both survived with no blisters so far and that is a big relief. I’m happy for Allison.

What’s the difference. That’s hard to say. It may be the different shoes, better socks, more socks, foot goo, better discipline, the result of many prayers or just good fortune (likely a combination of all of the above).

I am having some trouble with my back muscles and knees, but it’s minor so far and manageable.

The people experience on Camino is awesome as we’ve come to expect. Everyone is quite giving, generous and caring.

-More on that later.

On the way to Los Arcos

Cross in the chapel at the monastery; bodegas Irache – the essence of the sign is that one can fortify oneself for the journey ahead by drinking the wine; Villa Mayor Monjardín; music along the way; near Los Arcos

Weather again extremely hot, near 90, but there was a more steady breeze, not that a breeze was much good without shade, and there isn’t any. I really understand the concept of siesta. Staying at Casa Abuela.

Awaiting the opening of the Pharmacia. Needs bandages, not Compeed as the blisters need to dry out. Getting on a bus tomorrow possibly to Najerra. I’ll know for sure when I arrive. I will miss Helma. 😢 -Cindy

We miss you guys and pray for you every day. What an adventure and experience!! Several folks out tonite and there was very bad weather around so we cancelled group. There were tornado warnings but none locally and it just seemed to be the thing to do. Donna and I watched a couple of videos from Right Now, looking for bible study possibilities. The pictures y’all have posted are awesome and we are loving the look into your journey. Please be safe and know our love and prayers go with you.

Pedro and the Missus

Taking it Easy

After a wonderful night last night and waking up to a soft Gregorian chant at the refugio this morning we headed to and through Pamplona ending the day after only 13.5km – “slackers”- I know right! It really was an easy day.
This time three years ago Allison had several blisters and was beginning to struggle. I’m happy to say we are both blister-free so far. Life is good.

All I all it’s been a relaxing day even though Allison was interviewed for a “women on Camino” blog and Allison and I were interviewed for a Finnish students Master’s thesis on people’s approaches to Spirituality on the Camino.

Nadine and Ken have gone on ahead. Bye guys!

-Mark

Long day with a reward

Today was over 31km so we really pushed. We did this just to arrive at one specific Albergue in Zubaldika. It’s a “Refugio” meaning that it operates purely on donations. You are greeted differently and cared-for more genuinely at Refugios than anywhere else on Camino.
Dinner and breakfast are included. All I can say is here you feel loved on. It’s very very nice.

-Mark

Cizur Menor to Puente La Reina
Pics: sunrise over Pamplona, statue is medieval pilgrims at Alto del Perdón; descent from there – no training can prepare one for this terrain; field outside Óbanos; pilgrim statue at entrance to Puente La Reina; bridge over the Arga River on the western side of Puente La Reina.

Today was quite hot. Helma and I are sitting in the shade at Bar Aloa having beer for me, coffee and cigarette for Helma. We toured the city after showering and laundry (washing machine – something I’ll indulge). Eating paella tonight. Staying at Estrella Guía, small, 12 beds. Unable to stay at Puente – all beds reserved. Even Helma reserved her bed for tonight.

– Cindy

Grizzly bears and Harley’s

Tonight I thought about all my friends at work. It started off with four people snoring so loudly, hense grizzly bears and Harley’s, that I was thinking of referring them for sleep studies and UPPPs (uvulopalatopharyngoplasties). Then it turned to the people I spend most of my day with. I’m so thankful for each of them and what they have meant to me over the years. I know some of you have been praying for this journey….please don’t stop. You all are a blessing to me. Nadine

Larrasoaña to Cizur Menor
Pics: the gang at the albergue last night: Terry, Helma, me, Sarah, Clara; Jesús, the albergue owner; bridge in Larrasoaña; Camino markings; entrance to albergue Mirabel Roncal; me buying Compeed (for blisters) from a vending machine. Currently, having beers and tapas with new friends from Vancouver, Luxembourg, and Australia. Feet are tired and I have a bad blister in bottom of pinky toe. Life is good.

-Cindy

It’s so fun trying to speak to a German, an Italian, and a Korean all at the same time when none of us speak the same language. But it’s amazing that we do communicate. Reminds me of a scripture that people will come from all Nations, tribe and tongue. Nadine

Roncesvalles to Larrasoaña

Long day today, 26 kilometers. At noon in Zubiri my body was ready to move on another 5.3 km. The last two kilometers were tough. Gorgeous clear sunshine. Grateful the aerosol sun screen went through airport security.

The Way – its construction and materials are as diverse as the people sojourning. Many pilgrims from around the world. My cubicle mates last night were from Germany and Italy. Enrique set his goal to be in Pamplona today…almost 40 km. As I arrived in Larrasoaña I was joined by Terry from Taiwan. We were done walking and chose Hostel Bide Ederra…clean and small. Looking forward to dinner and an early night. Also met Helma from Holland.- Cindy

Church was awesome again today. We’ve been prayed over by our church family as we leave on this journey, seeking expectingly, somewhat apprehensive about the unknown, terribly excited but overall we feel the love of so many we leave behind. – Nadine

Arrived in Roncesvalles
It’s been a long day. Not even sure how many hours I’ve been awake…only dozing on the plane and then, the train. Met some lovely folks in Madrid who were on the same flight as me. They’re starting in Astorga. But one of them spoke fluent Spanish, helping me get to the correct metro platform to the Puerta Atocha train station. Then, another man on the metro showed me how to read the train ticket and to wait until the departure was posted on the board at the station. God’s provision. I met two ladies getting off the train in Pamplona and we shared a taxi to Roncesvalles. The albergue fills up at 4pm generally. Lots of pilgrims. I’m off to explore -Cindy .

Ways to View this Blog

Hey Everyone
Thanks for following our Blog.

Here is some information on different ways to follow us.

The simplest way is to just type
dowtycamino2017.tumblr.com
Password=pilgrimage

This will show you everyone’s (Nadine, Ken, Cindy, Allison and Mark) entries in a “most-recent-first” order. That means as you scroll down you’ll see earlier and earlier posts.
This is nice because the most recent posts will be near the top.

The bad thing about this is that we may post a story and follow it up with a picture. For you you’d see the picture first and have to scroll down to see the story to which it relates.

You can also see this whole Blog in chronological order by going to:

dowtycamino2017.tumblr.com/tagged/group/chrono
Password=pilgrimage

This is nice but as the Blog gets bigger you’ll have to do a lot of scrolling to get to the new posts.

If you want to just see Cindy’s posts you can do that by replacing “group” in the address above with “Cindy” i.e.
dowtycamino2017.tumblr.com/tagged/Cindy/chrono

For just Allison and I, change “group” to “MNA” which stands for Mark and Allison.

For just Ken and Nadine change “group” to “KNN” which obviously stands for Ken and Nadine.

Unfortunately there is no way to just see one persons posts in “most recent first” order.

So enjoy and thanks again for following us.
Please comment and encourage us as we make our way some 500mi across Spain.

-Mark

Blank slate

Each of us awakens with an idea of what the day might look like. We are creatures of habit and routine. We can “see” how the day, week, month might look. As I practiced yoga this week an intriguing thought crossed my mind. Actually, it’s more a reality than just a thought. Shortly, I embark on a journey where I no longer “see” each day. No routine, no pre-arranged place to sleep, no idea where or what I’ll eat…no plan. What crossed my mind was my life would soon simply be a blank slate, truly living in the present moment. –Cindy