Hi Everyone,
Today was the penultimate day of the journey!
It was also a lighter day so I have time and energy to talk about yesterday and today.
Yesterday was the 2-year anniversary since my Baba (mom’s mom) passed away. It was a very difficult day — 85 degrees, long distance (21.1 miles), more blisters (new ones, too!) — and the grief made everything a lot harder.
However, as I was walking, I remembered a Baba story that you might find amusing. Maggie and I were playing badminton in our backyard many years ago when a snake slithered across the grass and tried to attack Maggie’s ankle. She promptly ran inside to get Baba who came outside with a knife (!). I pointed to where the snake was and, fearlessly, Baba just grabbed it. She then threatened to decapitate it if it didn’t back away (as if the snake would understand what she said in Bulgarian). The snake must have gotten the message because as soon as Baba released it, it didn’t bother us again.
Baba really loved us and would do anything to protect us. She beamed when she could put a smile on our faces. She was one of the main people after dad died who helped to raise us so it was an emotional day yesterday thinking of all the good she’s done for us and how much we miss her.
Now about today.
I was shocked that mom actually let us sleep in. We had a shorter distance to cover and so we were able to catch up on some much needed sleep and rest.
About a mile into the walk this morning, an Italian man named Matteo struck up a conversation with mom. He told her that he had sailed from Porto to Vigo and was walking the last 100 km of the Camino. She gave him a hard time about skipping out on all the feet-killing cobblestones over the first 180 km. He pled guilty and then told her that she is very strong.
If you remember, the friendly lady in the supermarket also said mom was incredibly strong. So I guess people recognize how insane my mother is, which is so totally true.
On the topic, I would like to thank her so much for everything she’s done throughout the entire trip. From booking accommodations to encouraging us on the trip, to putting up with our shit, she has been our rock and deserves a lot of praise. Thank you, mom.
Anyway, I can’t wait to see the Cathedral of Santiago tomorrow and officially complete the 200 miles!
Until then!
Comentários