The Kindness of Strangers

Yesterday, after only 3 hours of sleep, I arose and made for heading out to Sarria.  Not before, however, assistance getting all my equipment on (backpack and fanny/daypack) from Norma.  So sweet, Norma, she scolded me about what she thought was the weight of the backpack.

Then two subway transfers later I was at the main Bus Station; along with a few other hundreds of folks.  While waiting for the departure time, I attempted to mail some postcards.  I only succeeded because one kind fellow took me by hand and walked me down the street, through the shopping mall, down the elevator to the basement post office - I would NEVER have found it.  I´m very grateful for all the many kindnesses I experience in my everyday bumbling around as a stranger in this strange land.

Riding the bus was an act of faith.  In purchasing the ticket, I discovered there were several options with the name Lugo in them.  Hmmm.  Not a matter of translation, merely a matter of not knowing anything about locations in Spain.  Fortunately, I opted for the correct one.  Of course, I didn´t know that until I actually found myself in the town itself.  

The countryside along the way was so very beautiful: a mixture of northern California and eastern Washington, very verdant, at least now.  Perhaps not later in the summer?  I observed lots of wind turbines and solar panel arrays--communities, large and small, as well as in private estates/farms.  So sensible.  I wonder at the continued resistance in the US to swing full scale into these alternatives.

I chanced to see a cluster of houses built into a collective of berms.  Very intriguing and quite attractive.  Very alternative.

Lots of sheep grazing placidly without a care in the world.

On arriving at Lugo, I again required assistance in finding the "centrally" located hotel.  It helps to know the lay of the land...and the maps I´ve consulted haven´t been great in assistance.  Anyway, with great pantomiming by the information attendant and really poor Spanish abilities on my part (forget about Portugese, which seems to be the decided influence in Lugo), I struck off on my walk with more confidence in my strides than I had inside.

I walked down alongside an ancient Medieval fortification.  I looked at the gazillion stones, of varying shapes  - indicating some being intentionally mined and shaped and others being found and used as is - and wondered how many men over how many hours, days, and years were required to build it.

Several people spoke to me as I walked by.  It´s an oddity to see a Pelegrino walking from the bus station down through town?  Well, I WAS going in the wrong direction.  I am sure they thought I was an errant Pelegrina.  One man, walking his dog, stopped and informed me the Camino was in the opposite direction.  I explained I was looking for the hotel.  He shared his surprise that I was staying in a hotel.  Amusing.  I'm doing everything wrong.  I explained - or attempted - that I would start Thursday from Sarria.  In any event, he walked me close to the hotel, so kind.  And believe me, I need all the help I can get and am learning to gratefully receive it.

Today I woke and took the train to Sarria.  What a very lovely ride.  Sarria, I started looking for the traces/signs.  Again, several people kindly pointed me in the correct direction.  And if I thought directions were my single challenge, I met my first hillside stairway up to the albergues, in the heat, with the backpack on.  Hmm.  This is REAL.

I neglected to start the blog with my intended motto for the journey - I read it in something Anne Lamott wrote:  START SLOW AND TAPER OFF.  The heat and the hills and stairs might very well be enforcing that motto.

Many Germans around...I have yet to run into many English speakers.  I´ve observed a vast array of shapes and sizes in people and backpacks.  I´m happy to say I do not have the largest/heaviest bag.  I´ve seen many women with huge backpacks and they walk along as if they don´t have a care in the world - in the heat!  Okay, if they can do it so can I.  I´m just going to do it SLOWLY.

I´m typing this from a more ancient computer today, so amazingly slow.  Inserting photos will not happen today.  I will post pictures on FB from my phone.

Okay, it´s 7pm and I shall go in search of an early supper for tomorrow I need to hit the path before the sun turns to a furnace.

Live and well and feeling blessed.

What´s the difference between an alley and a street?

The day started with a simple breakfast at the B&B with other guests, a couple from The Netherlands headed to Galicia (Muxia), and a woman from Key West, FL.  Lovely to sit and chat and share.

Then off to explore Madrid further.  I  struck out aiming for Park retiro, but allowed for many distractions along the way.  When I first arrived at the B&B, Eduardo pointed out numerous things on a small Xeroxed map.  In explaining locations and length of walks, he merrily would say, "it's a 25 minute walk, unless you pause, then it takes hours."  I walked all over Madrid for  9 hours.

One of my distractions was a yarn shop where not one person spoke English.  I managed to buy a hank of yarn and a hook.  We'll see what comes of it.  We'll, I should tell you that I spent several hours tonight trying to roll that hank into a ball.  Most of it is finally ruled up, but I think I'm going too be working on the remaining tangle tomorrow evening.  I'm sure there's a lesson in there.

A few minor irritations:  most of technical natures...accessing bank account with ATM card, or rather unable to access it.  Hmmm.  And then I have no earthly idea how to make a call out to the US.  The salesperson gave me a demonstration, but I guess I was way too gone with flight exhaustion to have it register.  I guess this is going to be another ongoing adventure.

I spent a long time at a HUGE park this afternoon - Park Retiro.  Lots of people watching going on.  Lots of local folks strolling and sitting.  I don´t think we in the US do enough strolling and sitting in parks on an everyday basis.

So many outdoor cafes.  So many plazas.  Lovely spots to sit and relax and socialize with people.

Plaza Mayor today was abuzz with lots of activity.  Lots of people dressed up as various popular characters: Charlie Chaplin, Minnie Mouse, Bart Simpson, Mickey Mouse.  Be prepared to pay for the privilege of taking a photo.  Charlie Chaplin chased me and spoke - informing me I needed to pay.  Lesson learned.

I had an interesting "sensitive" yogurt with aloe vera

Planes, trains, autobuses

Awoke at oh-dark thirty, after a scant 3 hours sleep, for my 7 am flight.  It's always puzzling to me what to pack...what's too much, what isn't right, what I'm overlooking.  I'm going to be carrying this backpack for the next 30 days, so I really wanted to be ruthless in my selection.

After lots of research...maybe too much...I have a minimal wardrobe; none really appropriate for Madrid.  I looked quite the spectacle wandering around on buses, subway and on foot consulting my minimalist map.  Several kind people asked if I needed assistance.  Amazingly I did not; I just looked astray.
:-)

I'm staying at a sweet little bed and breakfast run be a husband and wife: Eduardo and Norma.  He's loquacious and charming, speaking English with great ease.  She is much quieter, apologizing for poor English.  I wish I were as skillful in Spanish as she is in English though..

After resting, I'm off to see if I can find my way back...well, not really.  I'm going to go walk around and see wI'mhat I can see. I only hope I can find my way back.

Bye for now.

Peg

Pre-departure

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I have been doodling spirals for a very, very long time, never investigating why. I wondered, and continued to doodle. 

In less than 48 hours I depart to walk yet another Path: the Camino de Santiago. So, I decided to set up this blog to which I can post pictures and thoughts/descriptions for friends who might be interested. I went in search of title and images for the blog. My first thought was the spirals. Perhaps it’s time to explore further — so many double meanings…

Spiral — The Spiral, which is the oldest symbol known to be used in spiritual practices, reflects the universal pattern of growth and evolution. The spiral represents the goddess, the womb, fertility and life force energy. Reflected in the natural world, the Spiral is found in human physiology, plants, minerals, animals, energy patterns, weather, growth and death. The Spiral is a sacred symbol that reminds us of our evolving journey in life. When used as a personal talisman, the Spiral helps consciousness to accept the turnings and changes of life as it evolves. The acceptance of change is one of the greatest freedoms a human can experience, putting consciousness in the present moment where the power of creation is condensed. On a larger scale, using this symbol assures all beings are reminded of their inward and outward evolution, a balanced and centered state of mind. On water, it carries the power to flow and change. (Emphasis added)

There you have it:  the subconscious (spirit) knew long before the conscious. So here I go, off to journey farther (further) along the inward/outward path. (Will I be able to continue writing this because I stumble on sticky grammatical issues presented such as farther v. further above? Perhaps it’s one of the many things of which I’m in need of letting go.)

More to come.

Buen Camino — 5.9.2014

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