TheresaThoma Posted July 9, 2013 Share Posted July 9, 2013 Thanks for the update Nunsense! I will continue to keep you in my prayers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnneLine Posted July 10, 2013 Share Posted July 10, 2013 (edited) Nunsense, we hope you are having a good journey today! Day 15 Cirueña to Viloria de Rioja 21 kms (13.4 miles) (Nunsense, I'm going to stick with your day count; if we get a date wrong, who cares??? AL) Quote from Nunsense: Dear AL and all - well today was actually not bad. I did have some serious foot problems for awhile but not blisters - just cramps under the ball of my left foot and some pain in the balls (going downhill) and the heels (going uphill). But I rested when necessary and managed to stumble through another 21k today. The hip and knee were much better. One day, one step at a time.... Anne - I went through Santo Domingo at 7am so the chicken church wasn´t open, neither was the Cathedral, but I did get a photo of some lovely chapel to Our Lady. I can´t upload here again but someday I will get them online and labelled I hope. I left the last hostel at 5.45am and it was still dark, so used a flashlight until 6am when we had some false dawn. I like to walk while it is still cool because those temps you quoted are in the shade, and most of the Camino right now has no shade - it is all in the baking sun, so you can add another 10 degrees Fahrenheit I think. That's too bad... but sometimes it is enough to know you are in the same area. We'll look forward to the pictures later down the road. I'm glad leaving earlier is getting you some cooler walking time. I can well believe that the actual temperature feels 10 degrees hotter than what a thermometer is showing. I know when it hits those temps here it feels like a wall of heat. I can't imagine walking 21 miles in that... Anne, I don´t have time online to check out a lot of blogs, especially as I have to check email, check phatmass and then check bank balances etc... business stuff, and I pay by the minute for use. Maybe when I have the iPod Touch I can do more blog reading though, so thanks for the info. Not to worry. The info is there for when you can look at it. We need to trust God's Hand and Providence journey on this I think... I stopped in several churches along the way that were open and said some prayers for everyone and even lit a candle at one church. Spain is so full of churches that it is incredible, every town has one (and I don´t see any other denominations in the small towns either). And the lovely thing is that every church rings a bell or the quarter hour, the half hour, the three quarter hour, and then rings out the hour. And before Mass, well, bells just ring all the time for about half an hour! The food is lovely and fresh - salads amazing, everything just so nice. If it weren´t for the physical endurance test, I think I could enjoy this a lot more - lol. God is close and you are right - that´s what this is all about. Nothing else seems to matter except our relationship, and even the physical takes a back seat to that. Last night the hostel where I stayed was a private one, and quite reasonable for a single room, which was all they would offer me (they didn´t have bunk beds there). My friend also got a single room which she said was lovely but I noticed it had a shared bathroom. Well, I arrived first and I heard the lady tell her husband to give me the ´matrimonial´ cama (the bridal suite in other words). It was huge and had its own bathroom and was all done out in old Spanish wood - amazingly beautiful. I had to laugh and think that Jesus must still consider me to be His bride if He is giving me the matrimonial room all to myself. LOL How could I not laugh? There are always little things like this popping up to make me smile and know that He is near, even on a physical level. That is simply beautiful. God does things like that..... This is the most amazing thing that I have ever done in my life and I am so grateful to God for the opportunity. I think someone posted once before that it almost makes leaving the convent worth it and I said no, it doesn´t. But on second thought, if this is the ompensation prize for not being able to stay in the convent, then I can´t complain - second best in this case isn´t second best to me anymore. This is a grace. One of many you are/will be experiencing, I will bet... I am learning so much about trust and every day I am falling more i love with Jesus, if that is even possible. What a joy. What a blessing. Today I went into one church and the Crucifix on the wall was very lifelike with bloody knees and feet on Our Lord, so I just had to touch them and feel such a connection that here I am having problems with my knees and feet, and Our Lord has suffered through it all already for me. I don´t know if I can convey what it feels like. Same comment... Anyway, each day is fascinating. I am not looking forward to a couple of really big hills coming up, but I will deal with them when I get to them. Same comment... and not a bad life philosophy, either! Continued prayers for everyone, especially for the Church and for the Holy Father. And we are praying for you and, will join in your prayer as well. May many souls benefit from your journey, Peregrina! Catch you again when I can. I am looking at trying to reach Villafranca Montes de Oca tomorrow but we will see what happens. We'll presume that is the distance you will travel. Hopefully we will hear from you before Burgos; if not, we'll be waiting for you. :) http://www.gregspurgin.com/walking-the-camino-de-santiago/2010/09/08/santo-domingo-de-la-calzada-to-belarado/ Edited July 10, 2013 by AnneLine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnneLine Posted July 10, 2013 Share Posted July 10, 2013 (edited) A few more related photos and a blog link for the area Nunsense is walking in at present.... You can click on the photos to enlarge them.... http://www.casaturismorural.com/lugaresparavisitar/pueblos/fotos.php?id=19321 Redecilla del camino - Villafranca Montes de Oca http://www.casaturismorural.com/lugaresparavisitar/pueblos/fotos.php?id=19321 Aerial view Viloria de Rioja http://www.casaturismorural.com/lugaresparavisitar/pueblos/fotos.php?id=19321 Another link to the Camino My Way Blog for this section: http://www.caminomyway.com/on-the-camino-de-santiago-redecilla-del-camino-to-belorado-spain 'The entrance to Viloria de la Rioja had a sign that stated, “Santiago 576 km.†At that point, the distance seemed so far – almost impossible… From Page 83, Camino de Santiago In 20 Days. Yes, after a week on the Camino De Santiago, 576 Kilometers seemed like a long way to go.' Edited July 10, 2013 by AnneLine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbTherese Posted July 10, 2013 Share Posted July 10, 2013 Hi Nunsense.........following you mainly via my Phatmass posts into my email Inbox and keeping you in daily prayer from the heart. Thank you for the prayers in Spain for The Church, which covers all of us!!! The marital suite, huh? Only goes to show that Jesus and The Holy Spirit have great senses of humour. Of course you are still His Bride, every inch of one! He has eloped with you!!! :cheers: Thank you too to Anneline for some really great 'footprints' of Nunsense and updates. God bless Nunsense and look after those feet and stay cool, thank you again, Anneline..........and God bless all.............Barb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnneLine Posted July 11, 2013 Share Posted July 11, 2013 (edited) Nunsense, just a quick note to let you know we are thinking of you and praying for you. :bravo: For those who are following this thread, I'm not sure how much internet access she will have at this point. It could be a few days before we hear from Nunsense, so if she hasn't posted anything, tomorrow I'll put in some extra info about the Camino itself if she hasn't left us a thread entry. If there is something special you want to know, or if you have any questions, feel free! I'm hoping what I am posting is helpful for people who are trying to follow along with Nunsense. I have several friends who have made the Camino and also have read a number of books, so I do have some idea of where she is. Perhaps some of the rest of you also know something about the Camino that you would like to share.... feel free! Praying for all following this thread,.... but especially for YOU, Nunsense and all who are dear to you. http://jmeyersforeman.wordpress.com/tag/walking-the-camino-de-santiago/ Camino way marker, yellow arrow http://4feet2mouths.com/2012/10/19/the-sun-rises-and-sets-in-santiago-part-7-by-nathan/ "Lunch for two: meats, cheese, wine and una tarta de Santiago" I hope you have a great meal and a wonderful rest at the next place you stop. God be with you! AnneLine Edited July 11, 2013 by AnneLine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maximillion Posted July 11, 2013 Share Posted July 11, 2013 Thanks for the prayers, following you here and in spirit nunsense, and a big thank you to AL for the great job of keeping us 'walking along' via info, pics etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnneLine Posted July 12, 2013 Share Posted July 12, 2013 Happy to help, Maximillion! Nunsense, I'm sure we will hear from you when you get to Burgos; our thoughts and prayers are with you right now. I'm waiting to see if you post anything further tonight/today... if not I will post some things in a few hours. Blessings..... AnneLine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnneLine Posted July 13, 2013 Share Posted July 13, 2013 (edited) Another short post today to keep us going, and for Nunsense to find when she checks in. :) Hopefully she will check in from Burgos!!!! But, Nunsense, if for any reason you need an extra day or two, I am sure that the shipping company would hold the iPod for you for you to pick up on Monday. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ While we wait for Nunsense, I have found a blog with some good background info on the Camino Pilgrimage, including some information about why certain things are associated with it, such as scallop shells, a walking staff, and pilgrim credentials. http://deskarati.com/2012/02/05/the-camino-de-santiago/ "Most pilgrims choose to carry a scallop shell with them to symbolize their journey in honor of St. James. According to legend, scallop shells are said the have covered St. James’ body after it was found on the shores of the Galician coast. Another, perhaps more useful symbol is a walking stick to aid a weary pilgrim on his or her journey...." "The credencial is a pass which gives access to inexpensive, sometimes free, overnight accommodation in refugios along the trail.... " ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ At the end of the pilgrimage, those who have had their credencial stamped to document that they have walked sufficient miles, can receive a formal certificate of completion. Here is one Pilgrim's certificate: http://www.caminosantiagocompostela.com/ It says: "The Cathedral of St. James of Compostela gives you a cordial welcome to the tomb of the Apostle St. James the Greater; May the Holy Apostle give you, with abundance, the graces of the pilgrimage." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Here is another good article about walking the Camino, which includes background and also answer many useful questions that would-be pilgrims (armchair or actual) will want to know: http://walking.about.com/od/traileurope/f/Camino-De-Santiago-Pilgrimage-Walk.htm ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A couple of people have asked me about the interesting-looking Tarta de Santiago that was on the menu on the picture of the Camino meal that I left for Nunsense a few days back. Apparently it is a very well-known dessert, and the link below includes a recipe in case any one wants to give it a try! http://www.spanish-food.org/desserts-tarta-de-santiago.html Interestingly, it is almost identical to the 'almond torta' recipe that is beloved by my husband's Italian family!!! The symbol on the cake is the Cross of St. James (and it is the Apostle, St. James the Greater, in case anyone is curious!) Plan to do a little blurb about him on his Feast Day, July 25th! Look forward to hearing from you soon, Nunsense!!! Praying for you! Edited July 13, 2013 by AnneLine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AccountDeleted Posted July 13, 2013 Author Share Posted July 13, 2013 Dear AL and all ... Well I did make it to Burgos and have now walked over 200kms on the Camino. But this is my last port of call for now. When I got here I was finally able to catch up on email and family news and for personal reasons it just seems like a good idea for me to return home as soon as possible. With that in mind, I have booked a flight to the US for Monday and will then continue on to Australia the following week. It is the long way home from here (most Australia flights from Europe go via Asia) - it means I can go see family in the US - and less important but still a consideration, pick up my laptop from my brother´s house. I want to thank you AL for your hard work and loving support during this time. And thanks to all phatmassers who prayed me on. I won´t get the certificate but I still feel as if I have truly walked the Camino and learned a lot about myself in the process. I have met interesting people, many who just come for a week or two and then return home, to come back again (most of these people live in Europe and can afford to do this!). Maybe I will return one day too - God alone knows. I hope when I am settled again and back online, I will be able to write a bit more. But from me, for now, I am going offline for awhile. Love and best wishes from a pilgrim on her way home. Buen Camino everyone. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnneLine Posted July 13, 2013 Share Posted July 13, 2013 Oh, Nunsense... I just found this. Of my friends who have walked the Camino, several of them ended up having to do it over a period of years. Perhaps it was the Holy Spirit who suggested my posting the Certificate today... you have walked a large portion of it, and no doubt you will celebrate St. James' Feast on the 25th with a very different mindset than any other year. I do not feel your camino has ended; God is simply going to have you walk it in a different terrain. Godspeed, and let us know how you are doing. Blessed journey home.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Antigonos Posted July 13, 2013 Share Posted July 13, 2013 I think I can safely say that, for all of us who have been following you, we will continue to have you in our thoughts and prayers. Hopefully you can resume posting soon. Nesiyah tovah [a good trip] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arfink Posted July 13, 2013 Share Posted July 13, 2013 You walked 200km on the Camino! You had almost no prep time, no long workouts. You just went out and you did 200km on foot. That is absolutely amazing to me! Good work Nunsense. I hope you come home safe and sound real soon. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheresaThoma Posted July 14, 2013 Share Posted July 14, 2013 Prayers for a safe trip for you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AccountDeleted Posted July 14, 2013 Author Share Posted July 14, 2013 (edited) Thanks for the support everyone. I went to Mass at the Cathedral last night - what a magnificent building! I haven´t taken the tour but just going last night was pretty impressive. I have had a lot of last minute things to do online with booking flights and trying to get a bus to Madrid (a lot are booked out so I may have to leave the hostel at 3.30am to catch the bus to get to the airport in time!) Last night the priest gave the pilgrim blessing so I put up my hand and accepted a last blessing from the Camino. It has been an amazing experience and there aren´t really any words to describe it. But like Forrest Gump when he was running across the USA, he just knew when to stop, and I knew it was time for me to stop too - and go home. The Camino has done whatever it was that I hoped it would, but I´m still not sure what that was/is! It may be one of those things that slowly reveals itself over time. So, this is my last night in Spain. Tomorrow I catch the bus to Madrid and then a flight to the USA (via Frankfurt - strange connections). Today I might do a little sightseeing. I already went to the Church of San Lesmes this morning (patron saint of Burgos - but not in the calendar anymore)... Saint Adelelmus, O.S.B. (died c. 1100), also known as Aleaunie and Lesmes, was a French-born Benedictine monk venerated as a saint in the Roman Catholic Church. Born in Laudun, Poitou, he joined the military at a young age; he went on duty before making a pilgrimage to Rome. During his pilgimage he met Saint Robert of Molesme and left the military life for the Benedictine order. St. Adelelmus of Burgos, O.S.B., painting from the 17th century. Queen Constance of Burgundy of Castile was impressed with the reports of Adelelmus' holiness, and invited him to live in Burgos, Spain. She and King Alfonso VI founded a monastery in the city in 1079 on the condition he would be its abbot. He added a hospital and a church to the building soon after. He later used his military training to help Alfonso against the Moors. After death, Adelelmus became the patron saint of the city of Burgos in Spain. No longer observed in the General Roman Calendar, Adelelmus' feast day is kept on January 30. There are quite a few other things of interest to see here before I leave. Anyway, that´s all from me for now. Catch you all when I return to the ´real world´. :) Edited July 14, 2013 by nunsense Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maximillion Posted July 14, 2013 Share Posted July 14, 2013 Prayers and best wishes as you travel onwards....... Entrusting all the flights, connections etc to Him and looking forward to hearing more when you are ready nunsense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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