Walking the Camino de Santiago
For the past two days walking out ofBurgos, we have been entering into the Meseta. This is the vast plateau that sits in the center of Spain. We will be walking this for about the next week or so. And it is flat. Well, the top is flat, anyway. Most of the towns are located in deep valleys carved out […]
» Read moreWe have been experiencing a protracted zone of low bandwidth and little Wi-Fi. This makes it extremely difficult to post photos. In particular, I am something like 400 photos behind in updating my Flickr account. Weirdly, it is much easier to upload photos to Facebook. The bandwidth problem has also made updating the blog somewhat sporadic. For this, I apologize. […]
» Read moreThis morning we arrived in Burgos, and we immediately went to tour the cathedral. What can one say about this magnificent edifice? It is simply one of the marvels of architecture and art. Eventually my photos will load, but this is hampered by lack of wifi and lack of bandwidth. To give a small idea of its splendour, consider this: the […]
» Read moreThere is nothing more frustrating than being at odds with yourself. We are staying at the hotel here in Villafranca Montes de Oca because… While it is sunny, it is also black. While there are rainbows, there is rain. And there is a windstorm coming. And I have a cold and I want to stop and take a day off. […]
» Read moreTwo nights ago we stayed at the Parroquial Albergue San Juan Bautista in Grañón, and last night at the private Albergue San Roque in Villambísta. Two more different experiences in pilgrim hostels would be difficult to imagine. Both did feature communal meals, which I very much enjoy. Not many albergues do this, which is too bad, since it fosters camaraderie […]
» Read moreIt has been several days and 10 journal pages since I last posted. In that time, we’ve walked 64 km. The Camino continues to teach new lessons every day. Here are three. God speaks through whom He will. If necessary, He will send updates and clarifications. Several days ago, an issue with which I have been wrestling was answered by the […]
» Read moreThe church bells are ringing at Santa Maria down the street. I’m in the Hostal with my foot up listening through the window to their chimes. It is not a sound you hear in the States. There are two sets of bells. The first set intones a solemn bong-bong and sounds like ones you’d here at any church […]
» Read moreThe church bells are ringing at Santa Maria down the street. I’m in the Hostal with my foot up listening through the window to their chimes. It is not a sound you hear in the States. There are two sets of bells. The first set intones a solemn bong-bong and sounds like ones you’d here at any church but […]
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After a lovely morning in cool, overcast weather, we had an endless afternoon as the Way curved around hill after hill after hill, hiding from us any view of our day’s destination until we had suddenly arrived. In the midst of that endless, depressing afternoon, we met a Friar whose positive impact on my day was immediate. Other impacts, I’m […]
» Read moreSome lessons of the Camino have to be pounded into your brain. The first word of the Rule of St Benedict is “Listen”. It’s a rule I struggle to internalize. Listening has never been my strong suit. I could never wait for instructions or for people to even finish a sentence. I’m off in another direction by the time something […]
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