Day 4 - The magic starts

“Walking is the most perfect form of motion for a person who wants to discover the true life.” – Thoreau.

I admit the first 3 days I questioned what the F am I doing? With the exception of a few places and the boardwalk it has not been a pretty walk. But today in the early morning as I listened to my Pavarotti favorites and hiked through pastures and vineyards, the magic hit me. As I did a 360 to take in my surroundings, I was overcome by the beauty and the tears escaped my eyes and rolled happily down my cheeks. The world felt at peace, as it should.

Hiked about 8 miles from Azambuja to Valada. While it was sunny and hot, there was a nice breeze blowing through the farmlands. Physically felt great today. While your body always reminds you it is working hard, I think it is actually enjoying being pushed.

On the way today an old gentleman in a wheelchair stopped me. He did not speak English and I communicated I did not speak Portuguese so he kept talking to me in Portuguese and I could decipher he was telling me to go to Fatima and that it was beautiful. He pulled out some printed pages and handed them to me, I thought he wanted to sell them so I offered him a few euros. No, no he said and indicated it was for me. Tonight I tried to translate and it was about how when his mother was sick she went to Fatima and I think was healed. And how he had walked there. And there was a prayer for his mother and pilgrims. At least I think it’s what it says. I’ll have to have one of my friends translate.

Staying at a very pretty pension, Villa Rio by Valada Village. Had a delicious dinner and will sleep well tonight. Tomorrow we walk to Santarem.Read more