Solitude

I started the day around 7:30 with three others. The morning was a bit chilly and quite foggy, but the fog burned off and I quickly shed my layers. I had a great walk through mostly tree-lined trails. In the first major town, we caught up with the "captain" of this merry band of pilgrims and had breakfast.

I had heard others talk about the increase in pilgrims since we hit the 100k mark, but I hadn't seen it yet. But today the path was littered with these day-packers. A bus dropped off a load of them and they clogged the trail, walking three across, oblivious to those coming up behind them. When we stopped for another break, the cacophony of sound in the cafe was overwhelming. I am trying to resist judgment and a feeling of being a "real" pilgrim since I have walked from France.

We arrived at a tiny village before the city that boasts the best octopus in the region. We popped into a church with a wonderful crucifix with Jesus reaching down from the cross. It was quite beautiful.

I tried octopus again, bit just a taste. Not my favorite. I left the group to walk alone, as I was craving solitude. As a writer, I am used to spending time by myself but I usually have the company of my characters in my head. This journey was has given me an appreciation of time alone, time with God.

But be careful what you wish for. I asked for solitude and spend a night in an albergue with no friends. I did spend time journaling and trying to do this blog before the storm crashed the WiFi.

Almost to Santiago!!