“A wild spirit is often misunderstood. Others may think I’m lost, when in truth, I’m simply roaming free.” – RH
Today was a most excellent day that had a bizarre twist at the end. The weather was all over the place from foggy and mysterious, to rainy, to sunny and a sauna. I’ve learned you just need to lean all the way into whatever is happening around you and keep a sense of humor about it.
This morning we helped Emma from the UK get her backpack adjusted and ready for her to hike the Primativo. She put it on and you could tell she was wearing it wrong and would suffer down the road if it wasn’t fixed. Once we got her all situated; tightened the straps and put the weight of the pack above her hips, we took her photo so she could show her family that she was a real pilgrim and sent her on her way. It was like getting a kid ready for their first day of kindergarten and putting them on the bus, except she is 26…almost 27. She was very, very sweet and cute but bless her little heart she’s about to get a Camino 2×4 to the face.
We walked by a beautiful garden. It even had artichokes “growing in the wild” so we had to send a photo to Dani to tease her a little.
We met the most hilarious dog. S/he was jumping up and down as we passed by so we could only see her/his head when it was above the wall. I took a cute video. You can watch it on Instagram @thewonderingwanderer.insta.
The figs are getting big! We also had a long (too long) discussion about whether one of the trees we passed was a pear or apple tree.
The first 1/3 of the walk was foggy and mysterious. It was really beautiful. We were about a 1/2 mile from one of the towns and the sky poured buckets of rain on us. I was able to change clothes while walking (my hidden Camino talent) and put on my poncho but Stephen ran to the only tree in sight to get out of the rain and get his coat to get dressed.
It rained for quite awhile but I (not we – Stephen was annoyed) made the most of it. In an effort to cheer him up I did a high-kick while wearing the Blue Beast in honor of his native Eucalyptus forest and about tipped over from the weight of my pack. He laughed but still wasn’t happy about the rain. He took a photo for your enjoyment.
Since Stephen was Mr. Grumpy and ruining my vibe, I dropped back to play in the puddles and take photos of the droplets. You can also see these videos on Instagram.
I loved playing in the rain and watching all the nature around me. Reminded me of being a Girl Scout and Camp Wildwood. Watching the snails and the rain drops land in the puddles. I’m surprised my phone didn’t shoot craps because it got so wet.
I was so in a moment that the whole world and all the people fell away. It was like I was in another universe. I was so focused on each little thing around me it became a meditation. It was absolutely brilliant.
I realized nobody was around me and I was completely all alone. So I put on some tunes, had a dance party and sang at the top of my lungs while I walked. The hiking sticks make an excellent microphon by the way.
I think the only creatures who could hear me where the cows, horses and sheep, a few barking dogs and they were probably barking because of my bad singing.
The horses got an out of tune rendition of Meat Loaf’s “I’d Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That).” The cows heard, “Come and Get Your Love” by Redbone. And a very confused donkey witnessed me pour my heart out to “You Got It” by Roy Orbison. I was a maniac.
I met a really pissed off goose. He had a lot to say. For some reason that animal doesn’t seem to like me very much.
Stephen had to do foot surgery again on my blisters. It was just as unsanitary as every other one. I have stabbed this blister at least 6 times and I put Vaseline on it everyday. I have no idea why it keeps coming back. It should be gone by now, like Stephen, but he keeps coming back for more too.
We almost got run over buy a Coca-Cola truck while sitting at a café. The driver came in hot and heavy and the pavement was wet. He skidded down the hill straight at us. Imagine, two pilgrims flattened by a Coca-Cola truck while drinking their products. Everyone was laughing including the driver after he popped his eyeballs back in the sockets. The guy working inside brought out a red stanchion to create a divider as a joke. Ha!
We stopped at a little café for a drink and to take a break. The locals were very curious about us. Stephen was showing the kids on the map where all we have walked. They were fascinated. The waitress, confused, even asked what we were doing there. I took that’s as a hint that we were off the official path a little bit, although Magellan over here will tell you otherwise. We had been following the road for quite awhile and I don’t think that was “The Way.”
This Camino is getting weirder and weirder as it unfolds. We ended up on the local news tonight. Worst nightmare come true. Okay, second worst. A very close second to peeing in the woods. I think they are doing a story on the Pilgrim hostel we are at (9€ with 50 beds ) and wanted some of the pilgrims in the shots but I really don’t know. We could have ended up in some propaganda story for something shady and I wouldn’t know the difference. The first time they asked us to be apart of it I was headed to the grocery store. Bye! Whew. But then I came back and we were in the middle of dinner and we were ambushed. The camera man and the reporter came in. Dora bailed quickly (I made mental note of her speedy abandonment for any future missions we have together) and the woman reporter stood behind me and spoke about God knows what because I still can’t speak or understand much Spanish even after private lessons and a 3 month subscription to Rosetta Stone. And the worst part of it all is….I wasn’t wearing my luxury item…mascara! Oh the horror!
Camino – 20 (public humiliation scores big points)
Em – 8
Dora was MIA all day. She decided to sleep in a little and enjoy her walk solo. I missed her and our interesting conversations but as always, she made it…and she let me use her hairdryer. At least my hair was dry for the TV segment. Maybe I should get a point for that?
Happy Pride month from Spain to all my friends who celebrate. From what I’ve gathered, the Spaniards are pretty supportive of the LBGTQ community.
Stephen’s music selection today. I’ve included a video on Instagram (sorry, I can’t post it here) of what it’s like to spend the day with him.
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Islands in the Stream – Dolly & Kenny
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Down Under – Men at Work
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Take Me Home, Country Roads – John Denver
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I Will Survive – Gloria Gaynor
The taxi drivers are getting clever. They have custom made stickers and put them in the arrows, should anyone need a lift.
I hauled a little can of really fancy pâté at least 100km waiting for the perfect time to eat it. I finally opened it today and hated it. I’ll never get back those miles and the extra weight from that little can. *sigh* Hopefully, Thunder and Lightning (my legs) are stronger because of it.
When Stephen and I first started walking together, he said I was in the top 10 people that he’s met on the Camino. I have now moved into spot number two. Thank you. I don’t know who number one is but they must be cool or very weird.
Quote of the day: Stephen in his Australian accent, “well that sun can go and “f” off right now. It’s going to be a sauna if it keeps that business up.” As the sun starts beaming through the clouds.
I told Stephen he reminds me of Richard from Texas in the book Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert, but he doesn’t give as good advice as Richard. He needs to step up his game.
Another crazy day in the books.
Oviedo – Avilés – mileage unknown (we aren’t back on the Norte yet)
Goodnight and much love from Spain.
