Redondela

Rainy, squishy shoes. Poncho doesn’t keep any part of me dry. In Redondela, someone tossed out some liquid from an upper apartment which startled the pigeons and me. I decided to walk close to the building in case, you know, the old practice of emptying the chamber pot by throwing the stuff out the window was still alive.

I ran into the same group of women I’ve been seeing since leaving Ponte de Lima. They are walking “for freedom” raising money to fight trafficking of women and girls around the world. They picked up more walkers in Tui and are now 40 strong. They know my name and probably recognize my slow pace and pale blue hat and one of them calls out for me. One said I’m an inspiration and I accept! I can own that.
I crossed a highway at a pedestrian light while a group of them jaywalked. They called to me to make sure I wasn’t going in the wrong direction. Sweet. But I was stopping at the Cafe San Simon, and just in time as a squall hit. 30-40 minutes to enjoy a hot tea and a Torte de Santiago. Out of that storm.
There were some climbs. A good bit of Asphalt, some sandy semi rocky paths. Rivulets claiming the path. Some scary sliding parts. Glad for the trekking poles.

I got to my target, the pick up spot for the rural casa I’m staying at. I ordered and ate lunch then DM’d the place to say come get me or send a car, its part of what I paid for. No response, I called. No response. I sent a regular message no response. After an hour wait, chilling and starting to shiver, they finally called back and arrived 20 minutes later. Then my room wasn’t ready so I got a cup of tea. Finally, I was able to get to the room and get a nice hot shower. Then I gave them almost all of my clothes to launder as sink washing doesn’t get out the developing funk. Even my sweatshirt needed it. So no pj’s tonite, I’ll wear the remaining hiking shirt that didn’t stink too bad. Using the hair dryer over and over again on my shoes and insoles. Hopefully the laundering wont shrink anything. Those pastry stops …

Inner journey: I wasn’t feeling safe going down those steep sandy trails. I haven’t really felt safe in life. I started some affirmations of “I AM safe in my body”…”I AM safe on Earth” … “I AM safe”. I know that safety is supported by discernment and thoughtful choices, like where to put the foot next, what street to walk down. I found myself yelling “I am safe!” after checking that no one was around, because you know, it wouldn’t be safe if someone thought I was weird. Then I found myself asserting out loud that I release all that keeps me feeling unsafe, cause, core, memory, past life, reflection, faulty thoughts, stuck emotions, for all times and dimensions and whatever else. Blowing that out hard and sure several times. Whew!
Then I had to wait too long and too wet for a ride, a test! I was able to heat up my core and reaffirm, “I AM SAFE.”Read more