Oct 1 This is the 4th day of rain on and off here in Astorga. It usually rains early in the morning or evening. The days are beautiful. We had had 3 beautiful weeks of no rain, except for that one day early in the walk. We've seen this town inside and out, not breezing through it if we'd been walking.
We plan on leaving Thursday on the train to Santiago to stay for a couple days. Then on to Finisterre, the so called "end of the world" where people before Columbus thought it really was the dropping off point. We'll then go to Porto, Portugal--a beautiful city on the coast and on to Fatima, Avila and Madrid.
We had 3 weeks to fill: the 1st with me recuperating and then we'll be able to travel slowly the next 2 weeks. We have a room in Madrid the last night (Oct 15), so we'll send my pack there by post so Tom doesn't have to carry both. Sunday was a beautiful day for a "stroll", with Tom pushing me in the wheelchair. Tom has been taking such good care of me. The wheelchair has been a blessing. The room we're staying in in the convent has been a great blessing. God provides!
Tom handwashed our clothes on Sunday and didn't get them all hung up before Mass. He went to finish, and Sister Elvira had taken them off the line and was machine washing them for us. Later in the afternoon, Tom went to check on the progress of the clothes, and they were all hung on the line. What a sweetheart! She is so cute. The next morning Tom gave her a kiss on both cheeks and thanked her.
I love how people greet each other here in Spain with a kiss on each cheek. I love seeing older women arm in arm walking down the street.
We've been going to Mass each morning in the Cathedral, then across the street for coffee and wi-fi, then on to the supermercado for food supplies (our little routine). It'll be good to get on the road again Thursday. I hope my ankle cooperates.
We bought a better cane and ankle wrap yesterday. The swelling is down and my foot is turning all shades of black and blue. I've been praying that it heals quickly. We met Arno from Germany last night who has walked 7 different Caminos. He told us about a Pension in Santigo he always stays at. Today Tom called and got reservations there for us.
We're looking forward to experiencing Santiago, even though it's a different way than we had planned.
TOM-- Everything Kathy said is true. For me it's been an insecure time since Rob and Cindy left. Cindy knew Spanish enough to carry on a conversation and get necessary tasks done. Rob tried to get the language right, always tried to learn and was an example of logical thinking. Simple tasks seemed complicated as I lay in bed thinking of them before arising. I knew God was with us, and asked for help with the details. As always, matters cleared up when my feet hit the floor.
First task...learning the nuns' names and telling them mine. The fairly useless Fodor's Spanish guide reminded me how to do this. I'd listened to the Pimsler Spanish language cd's 6 weeks before, and learned to say "I don't understand". I also knew name introductions and recalled them when reading the Fodor's guide. The first person I introduced myself to was Elvira, a sister who takes care of the rooms. I've had a lot of fun with her, kidding around and understanding little of what she tries to tell me. I get by with extreme body language.
I learned the rest of the sisters' names and they certainly know mine and Kathy's. We ring the outside buzzer to get in, and they recognize "Tomas".
Next day the task was finding Kathy a pair of crutches. The nuns said there was a shop by the Cathedral, but I didn't understand the directions. I went to the albergue around the corner where Kathy fell and spoke with Anthony (who knew passable English). I figured he could tell me how to get to the ambulatory aid shop, but he said "not possible. No such thing in this town. You must go to a bigger town like Leon". OK, so a bit of a setback. I went to the Hotel Gaudi where I get morning coffee and good wi-fi and checked in with the world. I sent out a couple prayer requests for finding crutches and thought of the hospital. When finished I walked to the information station and found Roberto WHO SPOKE ENGLISH. It was like finding an oasis. Roberto said yes there is an ambulatory aid shop by the Cathedral, gave me a map and looked up the name and address. I walked over to the shop, looked in the window and saw no crutches, but saw a lot of polio type canes. Kathy and I went back on Monday and got one of the canes, which Kathy said was much sturdier than what she had. I asked if they had "old fashioned crutches" and the gal went into the back room and returned with what I'd visualized. Kathy chose the cool blue arm support cane. Prayers answered, practical steps made, things worked out.
The next day, getting train tickets for Santiago. I knew all I had to do was write down the day and date of departure and hand it to the station master. No sweat. It worked out.
Another matter was telling the nuns how long we were going to stay. I wrote them a note in Spanish telling them how long we intended to stay, and the day we planned to leave. I figured the bill and presented the note and the money. They understood, and were very happy to accomodate us.
Tomorrow the task is to send Kathy's pack on ahead to Madrid. Again my information station friend Roberto said no problem. Just go to the post office and they'll send it wherever you want. The hotel will hold it.
Ok, simple tasks getting done. Not so scary. On we'll go to new adventures, more assured. We've said we'll come back and start again at Astorga next year. We have the equipment and know the drill. Rob and Cindy will hopefully complete the portion of the camino that entitles them to the Compostela. We thank them for accompaning us and helping us along enough so we can fish for ourselves! Life is interesting and God knows the whys and wherefores. Trust is my lesson; my Camino. Adios for now.
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