Day 22 - Leon to Ponferrada (by bus)
Distance walked today: 0 km (0 miles)
Total distance walked: 352.1 km (220.1 miles)
Total distance left: 207.2 km (129.5 miles)
Day 23 - Ponferrada
Distance walked today: 0 km (0 miles)
Total distance walked: 352.1 km (220.1 miles)
Total distance left: 207.2 km (129.5 miles)
Day 24 - Ponferrada
Distance walked today: 0 km (0 miles)
Total distance walked: 352.1 km (220.1 miles)
Total distance left: 207.2 km (129.5 miles)
Surprise! We are in Spain all together! I couldn't say anything before because we were going to surprise Adal on Sunday and he actually reads this blog.
So N and I travelled all day and almost all night to Santiago Saturday, then Sunday rented a car and drove to Ponferrada, where I knew Adal was resting. We drove all the way to the albergue (hostel) in Ponferrada, walked in, and found him sitting by the fountain in the hostel. His face registered total blankness, like he didn't recognize us, like he knew we shouldn't be there. The shock was clear. N was so happy to see her daddy she didn't move from his side all day! It was worth all the effort I went through to keep the surprise, believe me I had a hard time not spoiling it. But it was totally worth it.
Adal's feet were not doing well at all. The skin under his toes was completely gone and infection set in. He had to go to the hospital, where he was given antibiotics and the lesions were cleaned and dressed. He was told to treat the injuries as burns rather than blisters, as it was mostly the skin burned off from the friction, despite all his tricks and methods for preventing injury. Sometimes these things happen no matter how many preventive measures you take. He decided to bus it from Leon to Ponferrada, where it was cheaper and he actually skipped some very difficult and hilly stages. Besides, it's cheaper to stay in Ponferrada. In this town they have a section of a hospital for walkers and injuries associated with the walk, such as foot lesions, etc. And it's free of charge for the walkers. So Adal has been going every day to get his wounds dressed and looked at. I have to say it was really impressive to see his feet, they looked so painful! But they look worse than they feel.
So Friday he busses it to Ponferrada, stayed at the hostel, but to stay longer than one day, you need to show a medical certification. So he had to go get one at the hospital in order to stay Saturday night. Sunday we found him and we moved into a cute little hotel in town. We walked around town, ate lots of octopus and tapas, let N run around the plaza, and turned in early. Today Monday we ate a late breakfast, bought some medical supplies for Adal's feet, some snacks and other essentials, and walked around the Templar castle in town. We stopped for roasted garlic shrimps and chipirones, which are a smaller variety of squid. Yum!
We ran into another walker, from North Carolina. She was also recovering from lesions. We made fast friends and talked for about two hours with her. She was missing her five yr old daughter so she enjoyed N's company. Her husband and daughter will meet her in Santiago. And she's originally from dc! Small world. It was fascinating to talk to her about the Way. I have to admit I'm inspired to at least try 100 km to Santiago.
There's a movie coming out with Martin Sheen about the camino de Santiago, called The Way. I've seen the trailers and it brings tears to my eyes. Please be sure to check it out, it looks like a really good story, directed by his son Emilio Estevez.
I'm connected via hotel wifi with the iPad so I'm limited to placing links and distance information. Once I get back I will edit the posts and add the information.
In the meantime, we're spending quality family time and enjoying Spain. There's so much to learn about the Way and it's walkers, it's subculture and norms, the ins and outs of the traveling ways.
Adal plans to resume his walking from Ponferrada on Wednesday, when he feels he will be recovered enough to continue. We will be here to help him along until Thursday, when we have to drive back to Santiago.
I've never seen Adal so happy. Never. When asked what he's learned along the Way he told me "Letting go. And that life is beautiful". Yes, it is.
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