Last might I stayed in a mom and pops Alberque. Not as nice as the municipal ones but oh hell do they try hard. I got up and pack by the light of a small flash light. Entering the streets in the dark I got turned around and wasn't sure which way was out of town. So what do I do dig in my pack for my trusty compass that Boss Bob gave me for the trip. I found true north and started west in that I knew I was heading west across Spain and I would cut the path sooner or later. I picked the trail in good time but something was wrong. I had no breakfast in that this Alberque didn't offer it, but that wasn't it. Finially as I walked along it came to be, I was still packing too much weight. At first I thought I would get rid of some stuff at the end of the day, but then decided I had to act sooner. At 9:00 I found breakfast, three cokes a banana and a sweet roll. I took my last coke and went out to a table and started to go through my pack. Just then I heard "her" voice. Richard can I share your table, it was Andrea. Yesterday she was Andrew, but to day she came clean. Hell yes, why ask. She rolled herself a ciggy and I teased her about killing herself. She thought that was pretty funny, and said she could quit any time. She thanked me again for breakfast and told me she slept in the fields again. But met some people that shared breakfast with her. I had made a pile of throw downs that I had to get rid of. I needed more water and was packing all the weight I could. I left a hoody, my p.j. every one just sleeps on top the sheet in their nickers any way. I left a very nice pair of multi walking shorts, both pair of zip off pant legs and a shirt. As I was packing up Andrea was telling some other pilgrims that seem to have befriended her that she slept in the fields again with no air mattress. I hollered her over to where I was packing up. I have a present for you, and gave her my state of the art blow up mattress. It was the thing to do. Richard would it be ok if I gave you a hug. Hell yes, and with that she gave me a hug that basicly said thank you for, oh hell a lot of things. For not being afraid of me, for being your own man, for accepting me, for not laughing at me....the list could be endless. The hug was the kind I give my two sons, just a few seconds longer then normal. Hugs that say, thanks boys for, for being the men you are.......I could go on but it's personal.
Four more miles down the road was another enterprising span yard with a lunch wagon but no water. What the hell, give me three cokes and a apple. The apple was delicious. I pushed on for Ciruena in that if I didn't I would either have a very short day or a very, very long one. There is no water between Ciruena and santo Domingo so I wanted to make it as short as possible. My path took me past miles and miles of vineyards. I ate handful after handful of grapes. No one behind me and no one in front of me, all I could see is the curvature of the earth. I was starting to think I was on the wrong trail. A local came biking towards me and I stopped him for information . Nice man told me not to give up, do you have water, I will share. We fist bumped and he was gone. Thought I could see the steple of a church but wanted to be sure and walked further. Sure enough I could see Cituena so I opened my last fresh bottle of water I purchased at lunched and downed the whole thing. I find that by doing this it will bring up you water table and it's better way to go. I still have one bottle left so I'm good. As I came into town I could hear bands playing and fireworks going off. Ironically it was a celebration of the harvest.
Sandy and I was in Spain four years ago and enjoyed the same festival. As I was trying to find my way through town the locals would call me to their table and offer me food. I was trying to tell them that I was looking for the municipal Alberque but they did not understand English. Wait, wait, you wait. On just a few seconds a loco was drug from a bar that could speak English, very good English. Can you tell me the way. No, no good, you come with me.....he hand carried me to my destination.
As you always tell me, Ricardo, you're a good man. I think people of all sorts and genders (and on-the-fence genders) recognize this. The generosity of people seems to be rapidly overriding the image we constantly see in the media, that of accidents and fighting and take, take, take. Good for you for sharing this and spreading much, much ,more of the "right" message, that there is indeed much good in the world and people are more than willing to share. As the song goes, we're all in this together...safe travels, good man!
ReplyDeletehaha! Andrew, Andrea and to me she said Angela :)
ReplyDeleteI think this town was the Fiesta de Gracias (harvest thanks) and we both were staying at the muni in Azofra. I sent Eric a photo of you typing on your iPad at the kitchen table at this muni with the foot pool and two bed cubicles! what a treat! We had a good rain storm that night.