Monday Sept 23
Went by bus to Leon (the plan). Rob became very ill on the bus. It was scary. I went to the front of the bus and hollered to the driver "medico, medico", but he indicated he couldn't stop on the busy highway. There was no place to pull over.
Shortly we came to the bus stop in Sahagun where we got Rob off the bus and laid him in some shade. Cindy and Kathy went for help and a room while I stayed with Rob. Rob was cognizant enough to know the emergency # was 112. The ambulance came and Cindy rode with Rob.
Kathy and David (a young pilgrim who knew Spanish and English) came in a taxi and we hauled all the packs to the albergue/hotel. Rob had his vital signs checked out at the hospital, got two anti nausea shots and came back to the hotel to clean up and sleep the rest of the day. We had heard of others having this bug too.
Tues Sept 24
Ripped off in albergue!
As we were getting ready for the morning, a fellow pilgrim (Andy) said he'd gotten 200 Euros lifted from his wallet. His wife was in the bottom bunk while he was in the bathroom. We felt bad for them, but when Tom went to pay for breakfast he found his wallet empty too. He'd kept his wallet "secure" inside his sleep sack (which he doesn't do anymore!)
Cindy figured this was the work of a team of thieves. It was an 80 Euro lesson for me. I now have a neck wallet which Rob instructed me in the proper wearing of. Fortunately the thieves only wanted money. Passports and credit cards were kindly left alone. Once burned, twice learned.
Rob was much better today. We took the train to Astorga, passing through Leon, giving him.time to regain strength. At the Astorga stop we couldn't get the door open fast enough. Didn't know what buttons to push and the train wouldn't stop! We went 10 km's beyond to Vega de Magaz. Looked like a ghost town. We walked to Bar Nisio where we slowly got help. Language translation was difficult, but Cindy persevered and we were able to get the barmaid to call a taxi (my phone wouldn't pick up any signals, so she kindly used hers). The cab arrived and we rode back to Astorga.
Got our beds at the albergue, set our packs down and wandered. Beautiful main Cathedral ( Iglesia de Santa Marta) close to us: a splendid 15th century Gothic creation. Next to the Cathedral is Palacio Episcopal, a palace straight out of a fairy tale. It houses many artifacts of the Roman roads which converged on the city, providing the main trade, military and pilgrim routes through northern Spain.
Rob is still ok, but needing to regain more strength. Cindy and he chose not to have a pilgrim dinner but to have lighter fare. Kathy and I chose the fancy hotel. We ate dinner with a delightful woman from Canada. She was on the camino last year with her husband, but had to go home early because of a foot injury.
Wed Sept 25
We were going down the steps for breakfast with our packs. I had mine slung over one shoulder and Kathy was carrying hers in front. Kathy misjudged the last step on the landing and fell, twisting her ankle. Rob immediately went to work getting her ankle iced, wrapped and elevated. Louisa at the albergue was of great help, being able to speak both Spanish and English. She called a cab to take Kathy to the hospital. Had an x-ray and a diagnosis of sprained ankle. No walking for 7-10 days!! Looks like we get to finish the camino another time. We felt much compassion and offers of help from others during this experience--all part of the camino.
KATHY-- I'd been wanting some down time. It had been nice not walking for two days while Rob recovered. We were looking forward to beginning the Way again, and now it's over! How all this changed in an instant... I'm feeling very sad and in disbelief and frustrated. I have to ice and elevate for two days and not put weight on the foot for 7 days. We haven't decided what we'll do next.
Louisa at the albergue knew of a convent close by where we could stay. It has very nice accommodations: our own room and bathroom across the street from the Cathedral, and Tom waiting on me. Still, I'd rather be walking right now.
Rob and Cindy are checking out train and bus connections. They will leave tomorrow to finish out their camino. We will have to come back next year and finish this, I guess. They came to say goodbye this evening and I started to cry. I so enjoyed walking with them and looked forward to walking into Santiago together.
We will continue posting about our trails and tribulations. There are good stories yet to tell. The Camino keeps giving!
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