Just Right – Oct. 20, 2022

  • Day 5: Madrid
  • Weather: 65 degrees / light rain

Museo Sorolla was just right. After his death, his private home became a museum. The museum’s architecture and balance of elegance with comfort were much to my liking. Oh, to have lived in such a house with such an artist.

Sorolla’s paint brushes as he would have kept them.
The Horse’s Bath, a favor.
Sorolla’s garden. Like me he much preferred working outside.

Runner’s Bond- Oct. 18, 2022

  • Day 3: Madrid
  • Weather: 65-75 degrees / blue sky

All runners are like the international Hash House Harriers forming instant connections with other runners. Madrid’s running Coach Javi Rondi and I met walking the Portugués Camino 2022. I joined his running team in Madrid before their evening run. What a pity not to have my Hokas.

Javi (3rd on left) and his team.
Javi (left), a teammates (right), and I meeting on the Portugués Camino, October 12, 2022
Evening runs in Parque de El Retiro.

Personality – Oct. 18, 2022

  • Day 3: Madrid
  • Weather: 65-75 degrees / overcast, blue sky

Personality plus best describes these buildings. With grandiose buildings, my eyes constantly rove. These buildings capture my focus, attention, and appreciate.

There’s the difference between looking and seeing.
Personality not grandeur.
Spanish beauty.
I’ll have what she’s having.
Floor tile. “Eight pointed star” or “X?”

Grandiose – Oct. 17, 2022

  • Day 2: Madrid
  • Weather: 65-80 degrees / overcast, light rain, blue sky

Grandiose well describes Madrid. The scale of buildings centuries old goes beyond my ability to capture by camera. Touring Palacio Real de Madrid is like Versailles on steroids. Madrid’s central area is walking friendly. A walk so dissimilar to past weeks of walking Portugués Camino.

Palacio Real de Madrid
Only one flag…King isn’t in Madrid.
Plaza

Decompression – Oct. 16, 2022

  • Day 1: Santiago de Compostelle to Madrid
  • Distance: 360 miles
  • Time: 9 hours
  • Weather: 65 degrees / overcast and light rain

Decompression is necessary after a solitude journey. Going home would be too abrupt. A neutral place allowing the experiences to settle is wise. The nine hour bus ride to Madrid began the thought process. Unbeknownst I rode through towns from my first Camino in 2014…Arzua, Lugo, Ponferrada, and Astoria. Haunting! Contrasting the similarities and difference helps sort my 2022 Portugués Camino.

Madrid tile street signs are non-reader friendly.
Madrid tile street signs are non-reader friendly.
Madrid tile street signs are non-reader friendly.
Madrid tile street signs are non-reader friendly.
Madrid street builder.

Reverence – Oct. 15, 2022

  • Portuguese Camino: Day 32 Padrón to Santiago
  • Distance: 15.9 miles / Total 439.7 miles / 707km
  • Time: 6 hours 30
  • Ascent: 1,630’ Decent: 796’
  • Weather: 60 degrees overcast, misting, light rain

How could it be that none of my tribe suggests entering the Cathedral? Having walked the Camino, did we not sense a connection to this revered place? In reality we are bone tired and growing painfully cold. Attend to the needs of the flesh than the spirit.

Mass
Used during service.
Pilgrim’s scallop shell image.
St. James’ bones.
Alter.

Bonds – Oct. 15, 2022

  • Portuguese Camino: Day 32 Padrón to Santiago
  • Distance: 15.9 miles / Total 439.7 miles / 707km
  • Time: 6 hours 30
  • Ascent: 1,630’ Decent: 796’
  • Weather: 60 degrees overcast, misting, light rain

We stand in the plaza before the towering Santiago de Compostelle Cathedral. We are giddy with the arrival. What we most want to do is hug one another, drop our backpacks, and take photos. It’s the same for all pilgrims. Our bonds will not be forgotten.

Land where they fall.
For weeks Carlos and I have been playing leap frog on the Camino. How is it on the last day we both meet within minutes of leaving different Albergues?
Carlos Cambra Esparza, Photograph credit.
Carlos and Linda.

Selfies – Oct. 15, 2022

  • Portuguese Camino: Day 32 Padrón to Santiago
  • Distance: 15.9 miles / Total 439.7 miles / 707km
  • Time: 6 hours 30
  • Ascent: 1,630’ Decent: 796’
  • Weather: 60 degrees overcast, misting, light rain

My tribe of pilgrims can simultaneously walk and take selfies. When the urge strike, we yell “selfie” and come together posturing for a photo. We are drunk on the thought Santiago is so near. The kilometers slip by like sand in an hour glass. Infinitesimally slow in the beginning and instantly gone in the end.

My Tribe
Collapsing together for selfie. Doesn’t everybody?
Elation.
Cathedral’s spiral is in the mist.
Cathedral’s Ceiling.