Da Feet

We had a rather easy day today with a mere 23km. Not like yesterday and the day before, 30km and 29km. I had a wee melt down yesterday....not intended but strange how it came about really. I was just around the corner from the Albergue and I saw this Italian chap who is kind and we see him every day, came to me since I looked like poop, and before you know it I burst into tears. I was so exhausted and the pain from the blisters, the heel pain and then an added knee injury...well it put me over the edge. I cannot explain why, other than he reminded me of my father, who passed away years ago. He came to me later, touch my cheek and I started again. What can I say....even though he knows absolutely no English and my Italian is very little at best, I understood what he was converying. This is what the camino is all about. We are all in a certain amount of pain. It is varying degrees, but legitimate and sincere. The compassion I felt from the others was touching and hard to imagine still exists in this world at times. I had a young American chap come to me with some blister stuff that he brought from the US. He swore by them since he was a competitive soccer player and they use them all the time. I offered money and he refused it. The day before was tough as well and a lovely French man gave me some of his supplies and helped me as well. Viviana had a German fellow who helped her. This chap walked around in his underwear sorting out his "privates" in full view. Normally this might be a bit of deterant, yet he has shared his medical and later some food....appearances can be deceiving at best and I have learned that sometimes people can be surprising.

Our feet are our tools now. We almost show off our war wounds to some extend. The empathy is great. The old saying misery loves company is true here but with a more positive spin....we share it with love and affection here not with malice.

The amazing thing is that I do not know any of these peoples names. Not that I do not care so much as it really does not seem to matter to anyone. We are in the moment and formalities are unimportant.

The other day on one of the rough treks, I saw this polish fellow, we know where everyone is from just not the names, funny really, any ways, he took a rather big short cut. I now tease him about it. I made a wee joke between Viviana and I that he will have to come back and do the camino on his hands and knees...backwards!!! We try to stay true to the path, but try to avoid walking on pavement since it kills the feet after awhile, the littlest things mean so much.

Viviana´s new name is "pack mule". She has taken upon herself to care more weight till my feet are sorted out. She rocks my world! She is so supportive and never seems to stop. I feel blessed to have her with me and even more so on this journey. Not because she is being exceptionally kind but because we have a good laugh, and I could not imagine a better person to be with.

I believe today is day 8....to be honest they meld together. We never know what day, day it is, I know it is Sunday, only because all the shops are closed so we are having to do without fresh bread...almost criminal!

Sometimes I look ahead to see what the next day will be like. We have a wee map book that gives distance (essential!) and the terrain (crucial!). It is nice to have a mental preparations, other times, I prefer to just wing it. No clue about tomorrow, I guess it is a wingin' day.

Ciao, ciao,
Kimberley