Before I went on this trip I decided I was going to walk 20-28 km a day, so that the trip would take me 4-6 weeks. I started to imagine what that would look like and I imagined walking a distance in Reykjavik, a distance that equaled 20 - 28 km. When I had the path in my mind I thought "that ain't so bad, I can do this". There are 2 things I wasn't counting on. The first being that the rolling hills and mountainsides of the Pyrenees mountains have little in common with Reykjavik. Icelands Capitol city has paved roads, the hilly parts aren't hard in comparison to where I am, and I know my way around Reykjavik so there I never have to stop for directions or get confused where I should go. But the walk I had today wasn't so bad in itself, I mean I'm in shape for a walk like this. It would have been fine if it wasn't for...
...the pains of yesterday! That's the second thing I wasn't counting on. Yesterday I did something extraordinary, even if I say so myself. And my body is extremely tired. The distance I was gonna walk today is in fact around 26,8 km but I couldn't go the distance. I was gonna go from Roncesvalles (where I slept last night) to Larrasoana, but after 21,6 km I had had enough. Luckily I was in Zubiri, a beautiful little town here in Spain. I found a great Albergue and they even have a washer and dryer service so I don't have to wash my clothes in a sink with a bar of soap like last night.
Even though the pain has been immense the walk was amazing. The beauty of the Pyrenees is equalled by few and the viewpoints took my breath away (not that I could afford that). I walked alone today, met a lot of people, but enjoyed walking alone. I feel like I get more out of the journey that way. I mean, it was great fun walking with the girls yesterday but I'm here for a different kind of fun. I'm here for an experience and it seems like I get more of that when I walk alone. It was truly amazing!
Now I've taken a shower, hopefuly had enough fluids to replenish the ones I lost throuh sweat today, hung the clothes that I carried wet in my backpack today up to dry, started charging my camera battery and my ipod, gotten the clothes I was wearing and the clothes I didn't wash last night to the reception and I'm waiting for my first pilgrim dinner.
Hope you're having a blast, whether you're in pain or not! :)
Stoltur af þér kallinn minn...mun fylgjast með þér úr fjaska jafnvel þótt ég vildi vera með þér...
ReplyDeleteThe Pilgrim's did SOOOOO not have Ipods! ;)
ReplyDeleteFrábært að gera eitthvað svona.
ReplyDeleteGanbare!
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ReplyDeleteEkki ofkeyra þig strax í byrjun, verkinir versna með hverjum deginum í nokkra daga. Frekar að taka það rólega í byrjun og enda á krafti :D
ReplyDeleteEkkert smá stoltur af þér kall.
Love hearing how you're doing - also that you are taking time to rest when needed. The rhythm will come as your body gets adjusted to the walk. Remember to "glide" over the land - like Jesus when he "walked on water" - and enjoy every moment - also the pain. :)
ReplyDeletemy body ached so much from all the walking this week-end but you seemed so fine that i'm actually happy to see that there are things that are difficult even for you ! :p
ReplyDeleteanyway, take care, have fun, that's all that matters and you know it ! :D
Ég tek undir með Konna með að ganga ekki frá þér alveg í byrjun. Best að komast í gönguform fyrst :). Gaman að heyra að þú nýtur ferðarinnar og vonandi naustu matarins.
ReplyDeleteThank you beautiful people! All your wellwishes are like fuel for me in these tired days! When you're runnning on fumes it's great to get a refill...really appreciate it! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm doing my best to pace myself and I'm sure once the pain of the Pyrenees passes I'll be fine! ;)
Hehehehe...there are a lot of comforts that the modern man has that the pilgrims of olden days didn't have. Being a pilgrim is about walking the distance; what matters is the journey! :)
Or actually Helena is right; all that matters is having fun! ;)