Everyday is an adventure on Camino, which means that it holds (usually in equal measure) trials, discouragements and victories. Each hour brings a new set of feelings and situations to contend with, and it's impossible to know which way the tide will turn. If I wake up feeling great and moving fast, it's very likely that later I'll encounter a set back. Like the tiny little bugs that covered everything including us in Belorado. And the scorching heat into Santo Domingo de las Calzadas. But if in the morning I wake up gloomy and frustrated, there will be a pick up later in the day that turns it around, makes it great. Eggs sandwiches, beautiful walks and mountain views. Usually on Camino, I'd say that God is making beautiful things out of the dust. Days with no promise of shade or food or friends turn up laughter and beauty and unexpected joy. Days of sickness beget miracles and mercy and goodness. Every hard step is teaching me to be grateful--every hot minute of afternoon walking teaches me to enjoy our sunrises.
Pilgrims love to say that you have to do the Way your way. It's not a race. Except it is a race--a race against exhaustion, and more urgently, a race against the sun. This week Lauren had to deal with a terrible rash caused by an allergic reaction to the sun, so that after a very triumphant day where we comfortably walked 30 km (our longest day yet!) we had to bus into Burgos for treatment.
After walking along the literal interstate to the bus stop the next day (terrified of the trucks 3 ft away!!), we got into town and got prescriptions that helped almost immediately. And once we got that unpleasantness out of the way, the city opened up to us. Burgos!
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