Day 3 (on 9/11)
Day 3 | Sept 11 (as in 9 11) | 727km to go
“This is a brief life, but in its brevity it offers us some splendid moments, some meaningful adventures”
– Rudyard Kipling
It will be an especially contemplative day remembering the terrorists attack on my country along with the anniversary day of my dad’s own passing on what will be my first long mileage walking day.
It is said that it takes 7 to 12 days for the body to adjust to the daily walking regimen ( I hope my knees agree).
This was true for me.
If I stay on track for a customary (stages) amount of time for completion this will mean a little over 30,000 steps per day. (Oofdah !) That being said I’m planning to treat myself to at least two (rest and recovery) days -off one for sure in Leon & a fellow perigrino said O Cabreiro may be a good scenic overnight stop in Galicia, and lastly, of course, Santiago will be at least a full day and overnight after completion for rest reflection and contemplation - Plus everyone says it rocks! Restaurants, historical sites, shopping district, and the church service hoping to see the ‘butafumeria’ swing. (It turns out I forgot to visit the historic market area. Another reason/excuse to return)
Lodging destination Urdaniz; Albergue Alojamientos Ava y Alla
( translation = accommodations here and there ) -great host sharing his home
Step 1 (of a million plus) in St. Jean Pied a Port. 2 days ago on Day 1 I backtracked 50m to capture this image
The ‘contemplative arc of the narrative’ of my Camino …..captured very well methinks. In a way I ‘felt’ like I was in a movie about to begin.
‘The Way’ narrows into enchanted forest. And millions have walked this route before me ! I can’t wait to see how this all unfolds
Encantada…. in awe of this ‘beginning’ Alone and indescribably delighted
An abbey stop for pilgrim stamp in my ‘credential. Abbey and hostel closed, but ‘stamp yourself’. Exquisite stonework
Erro, in Navarra. Just passing through…typical passage thru towns and villages, usually peregrinos ahead and behind
Leaving Erro. Michael up ahead, met him last night in Espinal. Fording streams takes many forms. During heavy rains, spring in raging waters… Yikes !
Pilgrims dinner - best baked sesame chicken ever thanks to our hostellaro. Fellow pilgrims from the Nederlands, Deutschland, Espana, Denmark. - all new friendships & great life stories & reasons shared on ‘why walk the Camino’. Family recipe deemed ‘top-secret’ by the innkeeper -dang !
Albergue Alojamientos Aca y Alla (accomadations here and there) - highly recommended - fabulous host !
Steep daring decline with difficult descending detritus drama. This would be very sketchy to bike. It required very attentive walking. Knees are starting to give me a ‘heads up’ they are not happy with downhills
