Get Into the Groove

Day 14: Palas del Rei to Boente – 20 km, 5.5 hours I woke up at 6 am and finished yesterday’s blog. I was slow to get going, perhaps because of enjoying the comfortable pensione we treated ourselves or perhaps because once my bag was packed I had to say good-bye to Adrienne because she left the Camino today. I was ready to go at 9 am, went to meet Adrienne in the hotel bar (where she was having coffee) and we departed. She accompanied me to the edge of town where we said good bye and wished each other well on the next leg of our journeys. I decided it would be a good time to light the stick of incense Adrienne bought at a monastery a little way back. I said a prayer of gratitude for our time together and our individual integration time. I felt ungrounded as I got going. Maybe because I changed my routine and didn’t have breakfast and because Adrienne wasn’t there and because I saw a sign that said Melide was 20 km away and I thought it was 20 and I was going 6 km beyond that and I was taking off layers as the sun came up and noticing that I had lost my pink buff (neck warmer and sun protection) and my mind was not settling. I let the buff go. It had served me well and is definitely an integral piece of equipment for the Camino. I also realized that for the first time on the Camino I was almost rushing…I noticed this and made note. I was going faster than any other day, wanting to get to today’s end point, especially if it was further than I had thought. I continued along a path surrounded by gardens and, coming around a corner I saw a garden bordered by prayer flags dancing in the wind and smiled. All those beautiful prayers! The garden had a lovely feel and there was a really interesting quote about vibration intentionally placed outside the garden. After basking in the garden energy I took my mala off my neck and began chanting my way out of town. I was getting into the groove. It was just after crossing the road and headed into the countryside that I saw a man sitting on a rock wall. I eventually noticed that he had a mechanical leg. He is a Para Olympian gold medalist and from what I understand, he is cycling the Camino. He had a Camino stamp and sealed it with silver wax. Oh, I’m not sure if I’ve mentioned yet but when you start the Camino you get a passport which is your accreditation and allows you to stay at the albergue for pilgrims. As you go along the Camino you get your passport stamped. You can get as many or as few as you’d like, except for the last 100 km you HAVE to get at least 2 stamps per day in order to get a certificate of completion when you arrive in Santiago del Compostela. Each stamp is unique. Some places have beautiful artisanal stamp designs while others are plain and utilitarian. I remembered a friend’s request to say a prayer for her and looked down to find a heart-shaped stone. I walked it the stone for a short while, infusing it with the prayer and the amethyst and then a rock with a pink heart appeared in the path lol! I was inspired to place the prayer rock on the heart and they were happy together so I left it there on the Camino. Carrying on I thought about my intention for today, and who wanted I was to walk with and it was my parents. So I picked up 2 chestnuts and the next time I came to a Camino marker I took out an acorn from the beautiful pouch Adrienne gifted me and placed them on the marker, saying a prayer of gratitude for my parents joining and my creation and their relationship as it is today. Not far out of Palas del Rei I came upon a small artist studio where a man was making Camino inspired jewellery…earrings, pendants and small pieces in the shape of triskele and arrows for instance. He also had a good collection of semi-precious stones. I really wanted to support him but really don’t need anything. But I decided I’d like an amethyst stone. I made my way around the tiny shop but did not see any amethyst. In my best Spanish I told him that there was a good energy in his shop and work and said good bye. He wished me a Buen Camino and just as I was leaving I spotted a basket of amethyst stones :)) I selected one, or it selected me, and put it on the counter to pay for it. He said es un regalo…it is a gift. Wow! So. Much. Generosity on this path! (If rewrite yesterday’s blog you’ll hear more about this). I received it with a smile and a Much as gracias and hand over heart. I really wanted to take a photo of the shop to remember it and maybe send the owner something but for whatever reason I didn’t…I just kept going as a practice to let go ans Be in the moment…but I wish I had taken the photo lol!! Today’s walk was trees and forest and up up up hill and down down down hill. On one of the up up ups I saw a woman who I briefly spoke with in Portomarin and her friend, who we carrying a roll of toilet paper on her knapsack in such a great way lol! I’ve included a photo. The sun was hot but there was also a cool, cleansing breeze which I quite enjoyed. The wind turbines were having a dance party, their spinning arms waving us on to our destination. At some point along the way I heard my name and it was Andrew. An Argentinean/American man whom had been living in Thailand and we picked up on some fascinating conversation and discussion we had started when we met a couple of days ago…or was it yesterday lol!? We passed through a eucalyptus forest and he pointed out the difference between the female and male trees. We spoke about building techniques and transformational experiences and teaching and all sorts of things. Time flew by and I arrived in Boente at 3pm – what a surprise! I had in fact slowed my pace but still made faster time. I felt that I could have walked on for a couple more hours but this is where I had my bag dropped off so I decided to just enjoy the few extra hours of me time. I was alone in the grassy backyard of the albergue where I practiced yoga, then took a long shower and have time to write! The kitchen is opening now so I’ll get some food and maybe go for a walk before settling in for the night. But not before I post this and a few photos. I am close to Santiago and the end of the walking part of the Camino. Many people will do it in 2 days, with two 25km days. I may this or I may choose to do it in three days. Let’s see what the Camino says is right for me 🙂 Tomorrow my plan is to walk to Santa Irene which is just over 24 km. And mom and dad will continue to be with me, as are you. May you and all beings benefit from my Camino. Xo T