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David and Sean’s Camino

June - July 2023
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. Read more
  • 98footprints
  • 4countries
  • 52days
  • 218photos
  • 13videos
  • 17.9kmiles
  • 15.1kmiles
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  • TravelerDavid and Sean’s Camino
    Day 8

    Sean’s wisdom

    June 9, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 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!    Read more

  • TravelerDavid and Sean’s Camino
    2
    Day 9

    Puenta de la Reina

    June 10, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 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!    Read more

  • TravelerDavid and Sean’s Camino
    Day 9

    Thank You God

    June 10, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 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.    Read more

  • TravelerDavid and Sean’s Camino
    Day 10

    Day of Rest

    June 11, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 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!    Read more

  • TravelerDavid and Sean’s Camino
    Day 10

    We splurged!

    June 11, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 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!    Read more

  • TravelerDavid and Sean’s Camino
    Day 10

    Friends

    June 11, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 63 °F

    One of the most important parts of a Camino is the people that you meet and interact with. We have met many people along the way, and many of those whom we have interacted with repeatedly, but often just a “Buen Camino” in passing, in part due to the language differences. (And in part because I was once again catching my breath up or down a hill and they were passing by.)

    Carlo and Luigi are the exceptional exception! I first met Carlo while waiting in line to check in at Roncesvalles. We chatted for a long time. Carlo is from northern Italy and speaks very good English.

    At one point in our conversation an anxious Frenchman cut in between Sean and I. Rather than make a confrontation, I stepped back to join Sean—and Carlo did the same so that we could continue talking…

    (continued in part 2)    Read more

  • TravelerDavid and Sean’s Camino
    Day 10

    Sean’s Kindness…

    June 11, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 77 °F

    Sean has been patient, encouraging, wise (often reminding me of my father and of Nancy—two of my favorite people!).

    Add kind to that list. There have been far too many examples to list, but I will focus on one: today Sean bought me lunch for Father’s Day. Unexpected and quite a treat. (Note: We later learned that we were a week early, so I’ll celebrate Father’s Day twice this year!)

    The photo shows what was left of my grilled squid. (I know, I will never make it as a food blogger if I don’t remember to take a picture BEFORE I eat everything!

    I tried to order a coffee flan for dessert but got a molten lava cake. (For those familiar with the movie “Chef” it was NOT undercooked!)

    God bless Sean! I am so thankful and blessed that he is on this journey with me.    Read more

  • TravelerDavid and Sean’s Camino
    Day 10

    Friends part 2

    June 11, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 73 °F

    When we crossed the bridge into Zubiri, Sean spotted Carlo down by the water. We visited again and met his friend Luigi.

    And we keep running into them—by happenstance?

    Even while writing this entry we took a break to get lunch, and walking down the hall Carlo stepped out to set his shoes outside their door.

    Albert Einstein said, “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.”

    I have been thinking a lot about that since what I thought was a miracle with dialysis in Pamplona didn’t work out as I intended.

    Thank you God that everything IS a miracle even when I don’t perceive your intention.

    (The picture that I attached to the first part of this post shows Carlo and Luigi down the street.)    Read more

  • TravelerDavid and Sean’s Camino
    Day 10

    I Remembered!

    June 11, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 72 °F

    Another great pilgrim dinner! And this time I remembered to take a picture before I scarfed it all down.

    The menu said fried rice with vegetables, but I think it was couscous. I recognized zucchini, some orange squash, and slivered almonds. I’d already eaten a wonderful salad as my first course and the portions were so generous that I couldn’t finish the second course! (I still had room for the yogurt with fruit that was served for dessert.)

    All for 14 euros each. Amazing bargain.

    We sat next to another father-son couple that we had met on the trail the other day. They ordered two different main courses than Sean and I had. I told our waitress that I wanted to live here so that I could eat here every day! Yum!

    Some pictures from our walk back to the albergue, including a mosaic done in leaves and flower petals.    Read more

  • TravelerDavid and Sean’s Camino
    Day 11

    Logrono

    June 12, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 61 °F

    Had some difficulty breathing during the night, lack of dialysis catching up with me. We decided to skip ahead to Logrono with a quick stop at the wine fountain.

    A day of missteps! In short, stopped to ask directions MANY times. Once a agricultural equipment worker gave us a ride and would not take money for his kindness.

    Upon arrival in Logrono information kiosk did not know where hotel OR street were! More direction-asking. Thanked God repeatedly once we got here. Over 5 miles on our rest day—but only a block or two from dialysis for Wednesday and Friday.

    Amazing pilgrim lunch! Appetizer of mussels with red and green peppers and onion salsa. Scrambled eggs with wild mushrooms and asparagus as first course. Chicken sausage and then baked apple for dessert.

    Then a nap!    Read more

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