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David and Sean’s Camino
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  • David and Sean's Camino

David and Sean’s Camino

David and Sean will fly to Paris, France on June 2, 2023 to begin their Camino de Santiago adventure--a walking trek of approximately 500 miles. Czytaj więcej
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    2 czerwca 2023
  • David and Sean's CaminoDavid and Sean’s CaminoPodróżnik

    Miracle #1

    4 czerwca 2023, Francja ⋅ 🌙 61 °F

    The first miracle on our Camino occurred before we even departed. The first two intended dialysis sessions never materialized and Nancy had wisely suggested I seek an alternate. I found one in Orthez, France—not terribly far from our starting point.

    However, as we prepared to leave for the airport on Friday morning there was no word.

    Less than two hours before leaving I received an email that Orthez had confirmed! Praise God!

    We are still missing details—like how I’m supposed to pay in advance, as the folks who have been helping with some of the coordination left for their weekend without providing those details.

    But today we will attempt to travel to Orthez and see what God does next.

    There have been other minor miracles. We had a most diff [rest of blog lost to character limit].     Czytaj więcej

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  • David and Sean's CaminoDavid and Sean’s CaminoPodróżnik

    Bonjour!

    4 czerwca 2023, Francja ⋅ ☀️ 55 °F

    I appear to have run into a character limit in the middle of the night post last night. That limit may now be gone.

    It’s our first morning in France, with a very traditional French breakfast.

    Good morning to all and thank you for following us. I had been attempting to follow-up on each and every follow and message—but that has quickly become too much! So many kind followers and so many wonderful comments and likes! Thank you all and forgive me if I don’t respond to everything.

    Had some Internet issues yesterday but those should be resolved now. (Had my VPN set to prefer Seattle, WA which was conflicting with local connections! Doh on me!)     Czytaj więcej

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  • David and Sean's CaminoDavid and Sean’s CaminoPodróżnik

    The Next Step…

    4 czerwca 2023, Francja ⋅ ⛅ 77 °F

    After months of planning, 900 miles of preparatory walking, 3 days of travel by planes, trains and taxis, and a day of French dialysis, we are finally ready to set out on our Camino.

    I am reminded of a YouTube by a young lady who was unsuccessful in her attempt at the Camino. However, on arrival in St. Jean Pied de Port she waited 3 weeks before setting out! Yikes!

    Tomorrow we will attempt to best that mark by approximately 3 weeks.

    As posted separately, dialysis went as smooth as it could be. I was treated royally. In fact, I still haven’t paid for the treatment I received—which was required to be pre-paid! Due to the weekend and the 9 hour time difference it was impossible and they were unable to accept credit card or cash.

    After dialysis, cut a little bit short to accommodate our schedule, we caught a train back to Bayonne, then stepped directly onto another train to St. Jean Pied de Port.

    Nancy would have loved the train to St. Jean as it went through anywhere from ten to fifteen tunnels—blowing it’s whistle before entering each one.

    We got into St. Jean just in time to register at our hostel and grab dinner in town. Sean will need to pick up his Pilgrim passport tomorrow as the Pilgrim office was already closed.

    Everything happened on so tight a schedule and it was getting so dark that I don’t have pictures to share, but we’ll try to correct that deficiency the next time we have Internet access.

    As I practiced during my preparations, tomorrow we will take the next step!

    Thank you all for your interest, encouragement, prayers, and support!     Czytaj więcej

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  • David and Sean's CaminoDavid and Sean’s CaminoPodróżnik

    Bonjour follow-up

    4 czerwca 2023, Francja ⋅ ☁️ 77 °F

    My sister Linda noted that most people take a picture of their food BEFORE they eat it. The food looked so good and I was do hungry (and relatively new to this blogging thing) that I completely forgot until AFTER. Still, it’s perhaps a better testament to just how good the food was that all you could see was crumbs.

    We had excellent, Parisian croissants, lots of fresh fruit, ham and cheeses, a really nice juice blend, and I had a delightful cafe au lait (coffee with milk) from a machine with a wide selection of choices. There were other choices, all served buffet style. And yes, I had two bowls of the fresh fruit mix as I suspect that fresh fruit will be scarce on the Camino unless we buy some in a market.     Czytaj więcej

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  • David and Sean's CaminoDavid and Sean’s CaminoPodróżnik

    Orthez, France 2

    4 czerwca 2023, Francja ⋅ ☁️ 73 °F

    Wonderful little town! Just a short walk from the train station to our hotel—and dialysis location smack dab in the middle.

    I’ll post some pics. Had a delightful dinner at a creperie—after waiting for an hour because I completely forget that they don’t begin serving dinner until 7pm.

    It turns out that Sean had decided last evening that he and French cuisine were NOT going to get along. This evening changed his mind!

    He spotted.a menu item, “La Pirate” that appeared to have steak as its primary ingredient. I don’t know what it had, but it was excellent. I miscommunicated when ordering and we only got one. But Nancy will be delighted to know that I ate the entire salad they served, complete with beets!

    Then we made up for my misorder by ordering TWO dessert crepes! Ooh la la!

    All in all a great evening, even if dinner was a little later than expected. And I totally expect that Sean will be found at La Creperie (down a little alleyway) tomorrow at lunchtime while I am on dialysis.

    And note that the table base was an old sewing machine! Quaint and delightful.     Czytaj więcej

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  • David and Sean's CaminoDavid and Sean’s CaminoPodróżnik

    Miracle #2

    5 czerwca 2023, Francja ⋅ ☁️ 68 °F

    While on dialysis today in Orthez the very kind and concerned nurses and technicians called ahead and arranged for me to receive dialysis in Pamplona! {Something that the Fresenius International team had been unable to do for months.)

    They even offered food, drink, and chocolate during dialysis, invited Sean in to sit with me, and offered him the same.

    Communications were a bit difficult, a lot of hand gestures mixed with Google translate. But I could not have been treated better.

    If my remaining desired dialysis sessions have not been confirmed as we move along we will try and “daisy chain” appointments.

    Praise God!     Czytaj więcej

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  • David and Sean's CaminoDavid and Sean’s CaminoPodróżnik

    What a first day!

    6 czerwca 2023, Francja ⋅ ☁️ 63 °F

    This morning Sean and I set out from St.Jean Pied de port, after a small but welcome breakfast (first time I drank coffee French style—out of a bowl!) and a brief stop at the Pilgrim office to get Sean’s pilgrim passport. You need the Pilgrim passport to get less expensive accommodations along the Camino (called albergues).

    Our goal for the day was Roncesvalles, Spain—a short 16.7 miles. After all the practice walking I had done it seemed like it would be a piece of cake.

    Boy was I wrong! The climb just to Orisson (one-third of the walk) was 600 meters. By the time we got in sight of Orisson I was having to step every 10 steps or so to catch my breath. Sean suggested that taking a taxi from Orisson to Roncesvalles might save our Camino. I agreed and so we did.     Czytaj więcej

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  • David and Sean's CaminoDavid and Sean’s CaminoPodróżnik

    Roncesvalles Albergue

    6 czerwca 2023, Hiszpania ⋅ ☁️ 70 °F

    Last night we stayed in the albergue at Roncesvalles. Not the one pictured in “The Way.” This is it’s modern replacement.

    Still, built to house hundreds! They handed each of us a small cloth “packet” about the size of 3 iPhones. Turned out to be a disposable pillow case and fitted sheet!

    Slept very well considering.

    The picture shows our “bunk pod”—four bunks in one “room”. Sean is in the upper bunk, mine is the one just below his. Thank God I didn’t get the upper bunk! After the climb from St. Jean to Orisson I don’t think I could have climbed those additional four steps!     Czytaj więcej

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  • David and Sean's CaminoDavid and Sean’s CaminoPodróżnik

    First Day, part 2

    6 czerwca 2023, Hiszpania ⋅ ☁️ 68 °F

    (I appear to still have a character limit.)

    I was very disappointed. All that preparation and I wasn’t prepared. First day of walking the Camino and I already had to take a taxi.

    Sean was—and is—a great comfort. He reminded me that the first day is generally considered the most difficult on the entire Camino. And he showed me various elevation charts that proved his point. He also pointed out that very few, if any, people with end stage kidney disease would be able to do what we were doing.

    I think, hope, and pray that the next days are more like the preparation walking I did and less like yesterday!

    The photo is of Sean at Orisson where we had the best ham and cheese sandwiches in a very long time—and the bread was one of the best parts! You can see part of an excellent thunderstorm in the background. A few of its drops fell on us as we approached Orisson and many more while we sat under the red umbrellas you see here.     Czytaj więcej

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  • David and Sean's CaminoDavid and Sean’s CaminoPodróżnik

    Je suis, Yo soy, I am…

    7 czerwca 2023, Hiszpania ⋅ ☁️ 55 °F

    I’m having a difficult time keeping my limited languages straight. I learned a bit of French when Nancy and I traveled to Paris and Colmar nearly 23 years ago. And I studied 3 years of Spanish in high school nearly 97 years ago. Lol.

    Of course, it doesn’t help that we have “switched” the dominant language so often in the past several days. And then add in to that a number of other languages that I have had no training in whatsoever, but picked up bits and pieces here and there.

    I wished my across-the-way German bunk mate “guten tag” this morning and then realized it should be “guten morgen.” And I had a delightful conversation last night with Carlo from northern Italy—but didn’t trust my Italian at all. Fortunately his English was very good.     Czytaj więcej

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  • David and Sean's CaminoDavid and Sean’s CaminoPodróżnik
    2

    Zubiri…

    7 czerwca 2023, Hiszpania ⋅ ☁️ 75 °F

    Yesterday was far more difficult than expected. Think Fitbit exaggerates my mileage.

    Today, Pamplona. Same distance as yesterday. Hopefully easier.

    Beautiful medieval bridge here.

    Keeping this short. Please pray for wisdom, strength, and endurance. Thank you.. Czytaj więcej

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  • David and Sean's CaminoDavid and Sean’s CaminoPodróżnik

    Pamplona

    8 czerwca 2023, Hiszpania ⋅ ☁️ 77 °F

    It may take another miracle to get dialysis tomorrow. I had forgotten to ask Orthez where and when and follow-up has yielded no answers.

    The picture is of the bridge we crossed into Pamplona. Very beautiful. Tomorrow we hope to visit the grand cathedral. Hopefully, God willing, we have a dialysis appointment and not too much free tine! Czytaj więcej

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  • David and Sean's CaminoDavid and Sean’s CaminoPodróżnik
    1

    Beyond Pamplona…

    9 czerwca 2023, Hiszpania ⋅ ⛅ 70 °F

    Dialysis in Pamplona did not work out. A miscommunication on somebody’s part. Sean and I spent most of the morning chasing down possibilities. Long, difficult climb on tomorrow’s schedule so we decided to tackle a portion today.

    Each day is difficult. Sometimes each step. Far too many hills that are more like climbing stairs. Several times Sean had me turn around to appreciate how far we had already come. Very wise and encouraging.

    Not at all like my practice walks. Lots of loose, uneven gravel or rocks. Several times I have lost my balance but have not fallen. Thank you God.

    Sean caught this picture of me, looking down, watching my step. And another, back in Pamplona, standing with the bulls! (Running is out of the question!)     Czytaj więcej

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  • David and Sean's CaminoDavid and Sean’s CaminoPodróżnik

    Sean’s wisdom

    9 czerwca 2023, Hiszpania ⋅ ⛅ 75 °F

    My scallop shell is smashed to smithereens. I walked down to the church in this little village, to pray, and it was closed.

    I mentioned to Sean that these were NOT good omens.

    He told me that, yesterday as we were walking he looked over to one side and saw a very old church. Man’s creation. Then he looked over to the other side and saw the view that we have been sharing in many of our pictures. God’s creation.

    And he observed that the vast majority of our pictures, and of our focus, have been of God’s creation, not man’s and that that’s where our focus should rightly be.

    And for the umpteenth time I am SO glad that I have Sean as my companion on this journey!     Czytaj więcej

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  • David and Sean's CaminoDavid and Sean’s CaminoPodróżnik
    2

    Puenta de la Reina

    10 czerwca 2023, Hiszpania ⋅ ☁️ 79 °F

    “Crown of the Queen.” We arrived, right on schedule, so far. Feeling very sore and tired.

    The first picture shows the loose, large rock that comprised our descent from the highest point today. For those familiar with “The Way” we posed for pictures with the large metal statues of pilgrims. I’ll try to post one or two after Sean sends them over to me.

    We’re eating well. The pilgrim dinners are often more than we can finish. Lots of salads available as first course, contrary to what I’d heard during my research. I had a lamb stew for dinner tonight, “Grandma style.” Note that evidently Grandma does NOT remove the bones or much of the fat.

    If I don’t feel much better tomorrow morning (lower back, left knee, legs to some extent) we will seriously consider taking a bus to some further point. Praying that I feel up to the walk.

    Got a chance to have an extended text chat with Nancy this evening before dinner. Loved that!     Czytaj więcej

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  • David and Sean's CaminoDavid and Sean’s CaminoPodróżnik

    Thank You God

    10 czerwca 2023, Hiszpania ⋅ ☀️ 72 °F

    Thank you God for flat terrain. For sure footing. For Nancy’s love and Sean’s patience.

    Thank you God for shade and cool breezes. For respite from pain.

    Thank you God for Your love and patience.

    Amen.     Czytaj więcej

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  • David and Sean's CaminoDavid and Sean’s CaminoPodróżnik

    Day of Rest

    11 czerwca 2023, Hiszpania ⋅ ☁️ 59 °F

    I feel much improved this morning but have decided to take a day of rest—and what better day to do it than on the Sabbath day, and Father’s Day no less.

    Our plan is to grab a good breakfast, visit the bridge here, then catch a bus to Estella (our next scheduled stop).

    Thank you all for your prayers. Very much appreciated!     Czytaj więcej

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  • David and Sean's CaminoDavid and Sean’s CaminoPodróżnik

    We splurged!

    11 czerwca 2023, Hiszpania ⋅ ☁️ 61 °F

    Arrived safely, by bus, in Estella. Found an albergue, then got a PRIVATE room for 2 WITH a bathroom in the room!

    Ooh la la!

    But I’m getting ahead of myself. Before leaving Puenta de la Reina we had a delightful breakfast (croissants,, fresh-squeezed OJ, and cafe con leche). Then walked to the edge of town and took pictures of the very famous, and oft photographed bridge.

    Since it’s Sunday most everything is closed,so finding a place for lunch and dinner could be a challenge. Pharmacies are all closed today. (Was hoping to get additional Tylenol for me and aloe for Sean.)

    Fitbit says we’ve already logged 3+ miles, but better than 16!

    God bless everyone!     Czytaj więcej

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