Day 20 Finally!!

Day 20
“It’s dangerous business, Frodo going out your door. You step onto the road and if you don’t keep your feet, there’s no telling where you might be swept off to.” JRR Tolkien
No truer words were written, spoken. I truly believe everyone ought to travel. Get away from your things and see the world. One of my best friends started traveling several years ago and and she has seen a lot of the world. Her health has prevented her from doing too much but she goes and she sees and she has adventures. She also encourages me on mine.
You step out your door and there’s no telling where you might be swept off to.
Walking the Camino certainly fits this category. You find yourself encountering people from all over the world, people with all different backgrounds and traditions. And it changes your life forever.
Lindsay and I left Tosantos and headed on toward Burgos. That wasn’t our destination but we were trying to make it as far as we could. The climb and terrain was a little tough this day. But lindsay got to see her favorite animal a fox as we made our way through the woods.

We had met another American named Robert in the albergue and he was running low in cash but the next police for an ATM was Burgos two days away. He had 5€ which was enough for that night’s stay and no more. I offered him some money but he said “the Camino will provide” which is a common phrase. We saw him again and I asked but he said the same thing to which I replied, “you know me offering to help you may just be the way the Camino provides”. He thought for a moment and said, “you may be right”. Then I said, “I tell you what if I see you again, a third time I will offer again and that will be a sign to accept.” He said, “if I see you again I will glad accept!”
We arrived in San Juan de Ortega and the little town was alive. It was the Saint’s feast day. It was exciting but was also starting to storm. Lindsay had gone to the bathroom and I was sitting watching the people gather when a woman began talking to me. She was from Canada and her name was Josie. She was really struggling with knee problems. There was a man who was helping her carry her things. But it was still hard for her. I talked to her for a bit and then gave her advice about where to stay in Burgos where they take care of pilgrims who have had injuries or health problems. It’s where I stayed two years ago. She asked if she could stay more than one day and when I said the hospitalera will let you stay as long as you need and she wakes you up with guitar and singing. She just cried. And got up and embraced her. Then I tore out the page in my book so she could have the information and directions. We visited a little longer and then lindsay and I headed out in the storm for where we were staying which was 8 miles away.

When we arrived in Ages which was only a couple of miles we stepped out of the rain into a bar and saw John our friend from Malta. He was a welcome sight. We stayed there and had lunch. And then headed out. It was cool but had stopped raining. We got into Altapuerca and John was trying to decide whether to stay or go on with us. There was a pretty good climb out of Altapuerca and he was ready having knee and Achilles’ tendon trouble. But so good to see him.

We turned the corner of a building and a man stepped off the curb and it was Robert. He looked at Lindsay and me and said “no way!” He said with surprise. “I’ll take it!” I was already reaching in my bag to get him some money to give him. Indeed the Camino provides but you have to listen and be receptive.

Lindsay and I climbed on out of Altapuerca and made our way to Caranuela Riopico. It wasn’t an easy climb but we were glad we did it. We got to our albergue and found out that it was their 4th anniversary of opening.

We had dinner with other pilgrims and met some Italians and French and a woman from Slovenia. It was a lot of fun getting to know others and hearing about their journeys.

After dinner we sat with Pilgrims and locals watching the big futbol game between Real Madrid and Juventes. It was fun. Then robbed where there were lots of snorers.