Day 23 - Rest day

My strong will is up against my common sense this morning…I make a very difficult decision to not walk today…I feel that my feet need one, maybe two days of no walking…this is what I would tell someone else anyway😄

So do I take a taxi to the next big town about 13 miles away, or just stay put in this very quiet, one horse/donkey town (quite literally it turns out)

I cannot seem to make a decision about moving on, so decide to stay put.  This lovely, inexpensive albergue, run by very kind hearted people is exactly what I need today.

I talk to my daughter Chelsea, the only one still up due to time changes, and her wisdom is just what I need to quell my frustration at being held back yet again…every time I do short days or zero days, any new friends I have made move ahead of me and it feels like starting up all over again… My initial fear of doing this on my own is replaying itself over and over like some weird Groundhogs day…ok, I got the message… Can we move on please 😄

I sit in a quiet spot, away from the hustle and bustle of people leaving and clean up happening, to meditate and see if I can figure out what is going on.  I listen to Amazing Grace by Il Divo and have a deep cry, for what I’m not sure, but afterwards I am truly feeling the Grace in my life…

I see that I am constantly comparing myself to other people, how far and fast they are walking, do I measure up…am I failing at this… The more I do this the more my feet hurt…it’s very easy to repeat the most oft repeated phrase here “you have to walk your own Camino”…but when you’re honestly facing your own expectations and competitive spirit, it can feel patronizing and irritating…I promise myself not to say that to anyone again😄

So today I STOP…I revel in the simplicity of this tiny town, watch their routines and rhythm, and observe a truly simple life.

I am hungry for this opportunity to do absolutely nothing… In the sun…

Unbelievable, inspite of being so far behind, I still run into someone I know … Bob from Georgia, we are on the same email forum and walked together a few days ago…we will try walking together tomorrow, he’s going slow also.

Oh, and one funny aside… This communal bathroom wins the prize so far, notice how the urinals are out in the open (and yes, I ran into two different men using them yesterday) and only one of the four shower doors lock, the others, they installed the locks backwards😄😄😄