Ribamontán al Mar

Today was a perfect start. Cool, crisp morning makes for easy walking. The Posada we stayed at had a simple breakfast, but really good coffee. They didn’t open until 8, so we didn’t need to rush for once. Holly FINALLY got gluten free bread for breakfast and she was super happy. We only had about 20Km to walk today and much of it was along the jagged coastline with waves crashing below, surfing lessons in full swing, experienced surfers waiting for that perfect wave, and beach goers taking in their last sweet days of summer. The breeze was slight, with the refreshing saltwater air flowing right when the sun started heating up my face and I needed it the most. I took photos knowing they would not paint the picture I was seeing, but, it’s all about the memories, and thinking back to this perfect moment in time when everything felt right and good. At the top of the ridge there was an outlook with benches to soak in the views. There was Nathalie, who had started earlier from her albergue, waiting for us on the bench, blonde hair in disarray, showing signs she had weathered 11 days on this challenging Camino. It’s her last day. She does 2 weeks a year, so I knew this was coming. Bittersweet. I’m happy she completed what she set out to do, but my selfishness didn’t want her to go. We walked her final 5-6km together along the beach, and caught the ferry over to Santander. Once in Santander, it was too early to check in so we dropped off our things at the Hostal and went out to explore this beautiful city. First stop was for tapas and then we needed to find the bus station so she could buy a ticket out to the airport and Holly and I could buy our tickets for tomorrow. We are skipping ahead a few stages to Llanes. I really wanted to see the towns we are skipping, but our flight home is for the 4th and we would need to do some very long days (a couple 38km days, and a couple 30km days to make it work) and we would only get one day in Santiago. It’s Holly’s first time there, and I very much enjoy that city, it deserves a real visit. So, by doing this skipping ahead, it will lighten our daily demands quite a lot, and get us to Santiago with 2.5 days to visit it properly, celebrate Holly’s birthday, and bask in our completion. From the bus station we went to the cathedral to have a look, but unfortunately it was closed. Then as we headed to check out another plaza we were waiting to cross the street when we were approached by a Spanish guy who kept pointing to his phone and talking to Holly directly. She wasn’t understanding him, thought he wanted a charger or something, and was giving him the “I don’t understand, leave me alone”reaction as she kept walking. He kept on her. Nathalie had a good feeling about the guy, remembered seeing him at the bus station, and wanted to try and understand him, so she stopped, forcing all of us to stop and listen. Another lady (English speaking) got involved and it was finally communicated that a phone was left back at the bus station where we bought tickets. He had turned it in and followed/looked for us for at least 15-20 minutes. It was Holly’s phone. 😬 You lose your phone here, you mine as well go home. We need it for booking hostals, flight info, checking in at home, Camino maps, directions all over the cities, everything is on it and it’s a necessary part of this journey. Holly had an angel today. He was persistent, even when she was firmly trying to blow him off. It was amazing the kindness he had in his heart, I’m sure he had better things to do than run around a city looking to find her to let her know he left it with the ticket agent. Amen. Thank you Lord. Nathalie was nearly scolding her, in a way only Nathalie can do, telling her she needed to be more careful and to wear it around her neck or figure out a different spot with her phone. I have a feeling Holly will never do that again, not that she meant to, but after a scare like that, I think we all were reminded to be more aware, especially so far from home.
Nathalie just left. My little ray of sunshine. My Camino friend from 2016 whom I have now shared the Frances, Primitivo, and the Norte roads with. What a blessing to have had her company once again. She’s so funny, kind, strong, and self sufficient. I truly love this woman. When we see each other each time it’s like no time has passed and we pick up where we left off, on the road, putting one foot in front of the other, day in and day out. We hugged hard, and I cried as she walked out of the hostel. Holly was on the phone with Ron, working on stuff for her grandson and felt bad she was only able to do a quick goodbye before getting back to it with Ron. I told her I am sure she understood what she was doing was important.
For me, I’ve learned this Camino only works for me if I can truly let go. No chasing emails, phone calls, texts, or all the responsibilities I have 365 days a year. My only job here is to walk, eat, sleep, laundry, and do this little blog. I am fortunate to have a husband, children, clients, colleagues, and a boss who fully supports me letting it go for a month. I give my all when I am home and at work all year long. I need to check out in order to be better for everyone when I return. I gotta work on me. I lost my dad last year. I didn’t grieve. My mom needed me to be strong, it was in August, so work was busy, and I couldn’t stop and process that I had just watched my dad die within a month of finding out he had cancer. It all happened so fast and unexpectedly. I am forcing myself to be selfish with this moment in time because the second I hit U.S. soil, it all begins again. I welcome it and am excited for it to resume in a few weeks. I love my family, friends, job, clients, all of them, with every ounce of my being. While I love this break, I sure love coming home to the life my husband and I have built together over the last 27 years. Wouldn’t trade it for the world. I am feeling a bit sad right now, missing Nathalie, but we always manage to find a way to see each other again. It’s a small world, and when you find someone who brings out good in you, encourages you to be strong and gives a fresh perspective on life, you seek them out and they seek you out. Now I will turn my sadness into gratitude. What an awesome experience to share with someone so special and dear to my heart. Until next time, Nathalie, Buen Camino ❤️🎒👣Okumaya devam et