Monday, April 1, 2024
This morning we got off to bit earlier start, but it still feels like it takes forever to pack. The night went pretty well. My biggest concern in these hostels is that Ian has a habit of snorting (yes, snorting) really loudly at random times in the night, and Kimball has central sleep apnea, which causes him to moan. Thankfully, they both did a good job last night. And there were some real world class snorers in the albergue (hostel) last night, so they would have fit in anyway.
Betty is feeling really sick today with a bladder infection. We got her a prescription, but I couldn’t find an open pharmacy all day. I hope she gets feeling better soon. I can’t imagine how uncomfortable this must be for her.
I offered her a taxi a bunch of times, but she insisted on walking, so we walked. At times it was really slow going, but she just kept walking, and we made it.
The path today was rocky and had lots of ascent and descent. The descent into Zubiri is notoriously murderous. Steep and really rocky. It lives up to its reputation. At one point Betty looked at me with tears in her eyes and asked “Why are we here? What’s the point in all this?”
That got me thinking. What is the point?
And that thought reminded me of the scripture in 2 Corinthians 12 that says:
9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
In think in this way pilgrimage is like fasting. It doesn’t really make any sense. Why make ourselves hungry? The point is that when we are in a weakened state, it helps facilitate our turning our thoughts to God. In that way a pilgrimage is like a really long and intense fast.
Tonight everyone is really sore. I carried River on my shoulders essentially the entire 24k. It’s more than I had anticipated carrying her, but I don’t know what else to do. It’s too rocky and steep for a stroller, and if I have a child carrier backpack I can’t carry my own stuff. So this is the way. It’s a challenge, but it’s doable. So that’s what we will do.
Tomorrow we’ve got to get Betty some antibiotics. That will likely mean getting a really late start on the day. So we will just have to do the best that we can.
Distance hiked: 15 miles / 24km
Total distance on the Camino 23 miles / 37 km
