Per aspera ad astra – Latin Phrase and the State of Kansas motto (in reverse).
Translated: through hardships to the stars
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Per_aspera_ad_astra
We are a ragged group. Emotionally, mentally and physically we’re spent and in need of a break. Stephen was throwing up in the morning, I’m still dealing with the achy knee and Dora has her own set of pain she’s dealing with. I can see that my writing is suffering from the lack of rest as well. Too many typos.
We made it to Oviedo though so we are still on track. We are going to take a “0” day tomorrow before hiking back to the Norte. We could all use a recharge and everyone says this city is a good place to stay an extra night. So far, so good.
The hike was good today. We started later than normal because of all the ailments. It was a shorter distance today so there was no pressure to rush. I would say it was fairly non-eventful. Lots of road walking and not too much to look at.
We actually all left at different times so we hiked alone at the beginning. Stephen and Pablo left first, then me and then Dora.
At the edge of town I rounded a corner and saw a sheep that had gotten out of the field and was on the road. It was “crying” and trying to find a way along the fence to get back in. I looked and looked but couldn’t see how it got out. So I found a place along the fence that I could pull the pieces apart to create a hole for it to get back in. In the meantime, two local women who were on their morning walk stopped to see what was going on. I explained the situation in my best Spanish and body language. They understood. Around that same time a beautiful older women dressed to the nines was walking down the road and said she knew the owners and that the sheep should definitely be in the paddock. I showed them the spot that I had pulled the fence back and together we were able to herd this little lost sheep back into the fenced field to frolic with it’s friends. All the ladies and I high-fived at our job well done. They wished me a Buen Camino and I got back to walking.
Aren’t we all just lost sheep looking for the comfort and safety of our own paddock?
Dora and I bought Stephen a lottery ticket today. He continues to lose so we thought we’d try to cheer him up with a freebie. While we were buying it a little old man tapped me on the shoulder. I thought I was going to get a lecture for wasting our money on senseless games but instead he smiled really big and said, “Buen Camino!” The Spanish people are so kind to us. I’m not sure I would be able to say Buen Camino day in and day out to all the pilgrims but these folks make us feel so welcome.
I had an epiphany while walking today. I think the knee pain is caused by my pack being too heavy again. I’ll need to purge…but the avocado is going all the way. It’s a nonnegotiable item.
I did breakdown and buy some ibuprofen cream and tablets. It seems to be helping.
Dora and I had a fantastic discussion about languages. She is teaching me a few words in Mandarin.
Stephen has another new nickname. Alfalfa. The barber buzzed him and he’s not happy about it. So of course we tease him about it.
Dora has a selfie stick! I made this discovery while discussing the fact that she has almost no clothes in her bag for this hike. She said her priorities are the hairdryer, face creams, food, a battery pack to charge her phone and the selfie stick…that she hasn’t used “yet.”
“Ummmmm, break that stick out of backpack prison, Dora.”
We tested it out in an orchard where we had copped a squat under a tree to eat our prison rations of canned meat, fruit and croissants.
Stephen texted us that he and Pablo were at a café and would wait for us. I told him to go on because we were at least an hour behind him. He sent a photo of them relaxing and drinking a beverage. When we got there, we found Stephen still sitting there (Pablo had walked on to meet his father) talking with another Aussie named Frank who he later called Paul. He is really terrible with names. Dora and I re-enacted their photo. Frank (aka Paul) bought all of our drinks and sent us on our way.
I tried Sidra (alcoholic cider) today. They pour it out of the bottle with a long pour (see video on Instagram @TheWonderingWanderer.Insta) to aerate it. It’s very pungent. Not really my favorite but most of the locals drink it.
By accident we found Spain’s version of Costco. It’s called Supercash.
As we were walking into Oviedo, a young guy in a wheelchair raised his arm and said Santiago, Santiago, Santiago to cheer us on. Made my day.
We arrived at our really nice hostel in Oviedo. Pablo (who is from this area) had made the reservation for us. He arrived super early because he was going to see his parents again and swap out his clothes for something warmer. He left us a little surprise of traditional local cookies in the room to welcome us. Totally thoughtful move by one of my favorite pilgrims. We’ve all discussed how Pablo embraces the true pilgrim spirit. Maybe it’s in his Spanish blood. He is truly genuine and authentic in his giving. Tonight he picked a traditional local restaurant for us to try and ordered for the table. It was amazing! A cheese platter with eight varieties of local cheeses, salad, another platter with traditional meats on corn tortillas and a huge fried meat and cheese dish. It was like a fried beef and cheese sandwich. Delish! We had to take most of it back to the hostel with us. Sadly, Pablo is leaving us tomorrow to hike the Primativo route but hopefully we will see him again in Santiago.
I’m pretty exhausted so I apologize that this update lacked enthusiasm and creativity. Hopefully, tomorrow’s rest day will get me back on track.
Pola de Siero – Oviedo – mileage unknown.
Goodnight and much love from Spain.
