Days 15 and 16 were spent gliding through Spain on trains. Our feet got a break, but our hearts had to catch up.
We made the tough but realistic call to skip ahead on our Camino, knowing we wouldn’t be able to reach Santiago on foot in time to get home. (Blame the feet. Always the feet.)
Both days involved 5-hour train rides. I spent them elevating my foot whenever and however possible—yoga contortions on public transport are apparently my new specialty, thanks to our very own yoga instructor, (at the Earlham Wellness Center), the one and only Steve Cleaver!
After the second train, we found a nearby point to hop back on the trail. It took just a few blocks, and we were walking again, albeit slowly and a bit gingerly.
Not knowing how far I could realistically go, I booked an albergue about four miles away—right on the route. A manageable goal, or so I hoped.
As fate would have it, when we finally reached the town, I had to stop, quite fittingly …… at a church. And there, I had to confess (quite literally) that our Camino had come to an end.
Poo, in his ever-gentle way, wrapped me in a hug, full of love and understanding. He supported the hard decision with grace, though I suspect he was also relieved not to have to hear me complain about my foot one more time.
Spoiler alert: I’m still complaining because, uhmmmmm, it stinking hurts. It may just be a strain and I’m pretty sure it’s not a sprain but hopefully it’s not a stress fracture.
This journey began with tears, and—perhaps poetically—it ended with them, too.
We found our albergue (blessedly easy to find), which happened to be connected to a bar. Clearly, the Camino wanted us to end on a high note.
With my foot propped up and a glass in hand, we toasted to an incredible, adventurous, whirlwind trip, even if we didn’t go the distance.
The next day, we planned to take a taxi to the nearest bus station.
Two trains and two buses later…
We’re not going home just yet. Because even if we didn’t walk every step to Santiago, there’s still a cathedral with our names on it.
And so we’re arriving in style ……. Stylish limping like only a pilgrim can do.
Xoxo, Kate
