I think we’re gonna make it!

We had a great breakfast, with a special croissant sandwich, made by our host Umberto. Then they drove us back to the Palais de Rei so we could resume our 18-mile walk to Arzua from where we left off. The walk out of the city center, as always, was a bit disorienting, turning here and there through neighborhoods. Just following the yellow arrows. But soon we were back out on dirt trail among the trees and fields. Initially we were following a large group of what appeared to be school kids. But their youthful energy allowed them to get way ahead of us fairly quickly.

My mantra as I walked this morning… Breathe in patience, breathe out intolerance; breathe in compassion, breathe out judgment; breathe in love, breathe out annoyance.

We had the first (of many) rest stops at Casanova; the coffee wasn’t great but it had the necessary caffeine. I thought about how fortunate we are to have come this far. There are so many things that could have sidelined us… Serious illness, injury, poor weather or even discouragement. After weeks of walking, some people get stronger, while others get worn out and cannot make the final stretch. It hasn’t been easy, but we are both still standing, still walking and determined to get there!

Our next stop was for lunch stop at Furela - with the very picturesque bridge - and we had another really delicious Tortilla Francesca. And our final stop was at Casteneda for cake. Food and rest were the best way to break up the day today. That, and music. Between rest stops, the one thing that kept me going on this long day was music. (Thank you, Phil, for the new Spotify playlist!) I’ve given a whole new meaning to pole dancing. There’s pole dancing, and then there’s trekking pole dancing. One is a beautiful art form. The other is just nerdiness on display. Picture Elaine Benis with trekking poles.

We finally dragged our butts into Arzua after nine hours of walking. Exhausted, hungry, and a bit punch-drunk. But we made it! The last really difficult day of our Camino. In two days, we will be in Santiago. So unreal!!