Day 30 - Navarrete to Azofra - August 14

Day 30 - Navarrete to Azofra - August 14

Yesterday was a slow trudge. My hip started hurting about half way through the day and, even though I iced it it was still sore this morning. Then two things happened; the words "if it be your will popped into my head, and I read your posts an emails. I hit a pace and just flew along enjoying the scenery and the people. My hip stopped hurting and my lnee was a good little trooper. Thank you all for your words. They made my day. 

I think what I forgot to say yesterday is that there was a long time in my life when my choice was the lesser of two evils or the choice with the least painful consequence. Today I have such an abundance of blessings in my life that I am often forced to choose between blessings. What am awesome thing that is. I feel blessed and grateful to have two places that I love. And there are a whole bunch of other places that are right behind those two. 

I also forgot to mention our hospitaleros from last night in Navarrete. The father owns the albergue and the son works in it. The son has done several Caminos and worked in other albergues. They were both warm and welcoming and cared for us until we left. I knew I was in the right place when as I came in the door the son asked me if I would like a glass of ice water. If you haven't done a Camino you don't know yet w how nice that is to have. That provided ice and conversation. It was very nice. 

Also while in Naverette I was walking down the street and this woman kept turning around and looking at me. I was wondering why when suddenly she asked if she knew me. I said no, I am a pilgrim. She asked if I was looking for the Municipal Albergue. I told her I was looking for the market. And she started giving me directions and following along to make sure I got there ok. So nice. 

So today started out with another cemetery at the edge of Navarrete. The gate to the cemetery and the historic romanesque facade were taken from the historic pilgrim hospital. There was a grave for a person who died in 1898 and one from 1900. It is hard to read the markers, they have been worn by weather and time. 

Then later on the trail I encountered a weenie wagger. I'm not kidding, can't make this stuff up. I wanted to say, "Esto está un juguete el más pequeño. but since I was out there alone I thought ignoring him was a better option. I waited until I was a ways away before I burst out laughing. Now those of you who haven't done a Camino yet, don't freak and try to take pepper spray or a gun with you. I've met weenie waggers in the states too.

So then I saw a man with what I learned later was his seven year old daughter and his sixteen year old nephew. The same ages as Jeno and Gia. They had started on Pamplona and were ending in Najera today.  That is 130 km or about 80 miles! I'm impressed. The girl had little stuffed black dog she was carrying. At one place where we all stopped for something  to eat or drink I asked her to stamp my credential for me. Later at another place I introduced her to Burple and Berry. Her dad said she had noticed the bears. She gave me two pieces of her hard candy and told me her dog's name is Loli. I will miss them. 

I am now at the Municipal Albergue in Asofra. It is quite nice. They have a little pool out front to soak your feet in, getting your clothes washed in the machine is only one euro most albergues it is three or four euros,) and the rooms each have just two twin beds in them with big cupboards for your stuff. I did my usual routine and then went to the super market and got some frozen peas for my knee and hip as a preventative measure. 

Now I'm going in search of an ensalada mixta. Rumor has it that there is to be a festa tonight. Found my ensalada and a party. There is a festa going on and me and Team Blue were just doing the Macarena. It's going to be a wild night in this little pueblo. Earlier they had a procession and the church bells went crazy ringing for about thirty minutes. 

Also my little friend with the black stuffed dog showed up with her dad at the albergue. I thought he said today was there last day. Maybe they are staying tonight and going home in the morning. Well we have to be in the albergue at ten pm, so I'm going to post this and go enjoy the party for awhile.