Portomarin to Palas de REI. Distance 24.6 km (15.3 mi / 16.2) to go69.6 km

Again I need to apologize for my blog yesterday. I had spent considerable time typing, assembling pictures and assembling thoughts to go into it. Then, in the push of a button, it was gone!

I, of course, was upset, disappointed that my efforts had been for naught. So I did a quick blog, ranting about how Google had lost my blog, oh whoa is me! This is so bad, etc., etc, etc.

I had to muster some artificial anger too, to add to the humorous affect I was trying to create.

After this unfortunate event I was browsing FB and came upon a video that had been apparently streamed live at one point. In the video, some guy went on and on about an RV that he had rented that, when he was caught on day 24 of his 30 day vacation in a rainstorm, the windshield leaked, the wipers were not working, pieces were falling inside the unit and hitting him on the head, and so forth.

I was really put off by his attitude. It was most unfortunate, but why was he teaching his kids (who traveled with him) to concentrate on all the negative instead of taking stock of all the blessings he had. How many can afford time with their family in excess of 4 weeks? How many people on motorcycles sat outside in this pouring rain, would have loved to put up with a leaky window? He was doing exactly as I try NOT to do, concentrating on what he didn't have instead of teaching his children to recognize their blessings.

It wasn't until this morning, while I walked the Camino, with the "days to Santiago" count down to less than five, that I was finally enlightened! My work had not been mysteriously lost; I had been given a thump on the forehead!

I was so upset that my blog had disappeared in front of my eyes, that I could not see the message that HAD been delivered! I am so blessed in so many ways and yet, like the man in the RV, I was stuck on what wasn't.

People have been reading, commenting, following my blog for almost a month and I could not see how lucky I was! Lucky to be pursuing an amazing adventure that anyone would even WANT to read about.

How many people would love to have the free time to pursue a challenge of these proportions? How many sat in a doctor's office, wishing their health would allow them a chance to walk into the plaza in Santiago, instead of having to undergo chemotherapy? 

I complain of my aching toes and feet, victims of my voluntary torture, instead of appreciating the pain my Aunt is experiencing while recovering from knee surgery. How many are choosing between a single or double mastectomy when they would love to be in a state of health that would allow them to bask in the sun of the Spanish countryside instead?

It is, in many ways, like grieving the loss of a loved one. The initial shock, regardless of how quickly or slowly the death occurred, is concentrated in "what we've lost". With time, most people will graduate to an appreciation of "what we had"!

The life, so fragile, is remembered for what we did, hopefully not for what we did not. This venture too, needs to be appreciated by me, if not by readers, for what has taken place, not for what has NOT taken place. 

Rejoice in the rain, those who come this way in the heat of July and August would have gladly traded.
Rejoice in the mud! Those who choke on the dust of late summer should have it so good.

Enjoy the cool temperatures, better than the insufferable heat that you were trying to avoid.

I walked the last three days with myself for company. After Karma kicked me back to reality I walked today with a renewed interest in others.

I was waved at enthusiastically by an older gentleman today who was waiting alongside the trail for his daughter. His name was Michael, pronounced to rhyme with his daughter's name, Danielle. She joined us about the time we introduced ourselves, so we walked.

He is from Lebanon originally, but migrated to Clearwater, Florida with his family and loves his adopted homeland. They are, in effect, orthodox Catholics, members of a long ago alienated group that separated from the Catholic Church for political reasons, but have no theological differences and "follow the pope". Danielle had read a book by a Brazilian author about hiking the Camino, thought it sounded challenging enough that she wanted to see if she could do it and convinced papa to accompany her. This was their second day out, and they agreed it was going much better than the first, having started in Sarria. We talked for awhile about Idaho, Lebanon and living in Florida. Eventually he said to Danielle, "It is okay if we rest. He is a mountain man and we don't want to hold him up." He did however continue for a bit until Danielle insisted he stop to rest.

I saw a Spaniard today walking barefoot. I followed him for quite a distance, unable to catch up with him. We eventually stopped at an amazing "bar" that had the whole food service thing figured out. The Spaniard joined a group of amigos at a table so I was never able to talk to him.

In the time it took to eat "breakfast" this bar served at least 50 people. Traffic has increased exponentially since Sarria. There was more people at this bar than you would see in an entire day three weeks ago.

Rush hour on the Camino. People were bunched up until we reached the first hill, many were never seen again

I came upon a woman who was struggling up a long hill. She was walking very, very slowly, struggling with each step. I stopped to ask if she was okay. She explained that she simply walked very slowly. I walked with her for awhile and found out she had family in Southern California, but was currently living in Arizona. She had a stroke a couple of years ago and decided to hike the Camino as therapy, from Sarria to Santiago. Her husband would rather be boating (which was fine with her), so while he was vacationing in Canada with the boat, she was struggling up a hill in Spain with a friend of forty years and her granddaughter, both of whom were just ahead, stopping periodically to check her progress. Eventually I resumed my pace and caught up with them. 

I told the granddaughter how inspiring her Grandma was and she agreed. She loved being able to walk with her and was inspired by the effort she put forth. She was glad they were able to make the trip together.

I walked with Sarehi (I am sorry I have spelled this incorrectly). She was from the northeastern part of Spain but works in the southeast as a psychologist. (I've met a lot of psychologists on this trek. It seems to be a good pressure relief. I wonder if Sally and Bill will be over here next?)

I would guess she is in her late twenties, maybe early thirties and she said she walks to see if she can do it alone. She wants to be completely dependent on herself, with no safety net. She had "holidays" enough to walk from Sarria to Santiago. I asked if she was allowing anyone to "follow" her, through e-mail or social media and she said no. She said people know she is okay, but no one knows where she is!

Then there was Hans (and company) from Australia. We walked together for perhaps an hour or more, his two compadres right behind us, carrying on their own conversation. He is a semi-retired high school teacher who substitute-teaches 2-3 days a week when needed. When I told him my trail name was Frog he said that I have had a different name for the last three weeks or so.
To explain:

As they walk a group of people have assembled via text to keep track of everyone's progress. They first noticed me when we stayed in the same hotel back in Burgos. Someone nick-named me Ganondorf, after the Harry Potter character from the movies. Since then there have been Ganondorf sightings with group members letting others know where I've been seen. No one had seen me for several days running now, so Hans was glad to know I was okay and still walking! No word of where Voltimore might lurk.

So, because of my blog evaporating, not inspite of it, I had a very nice trek across western Spain. The KM markings have dipped below "70", meaning I have about 42 miles to go. With hotel reservations being made in advance, my "schedule" has me walking into Santiago on Tuesday around 1 p.m.

I'd also like to thank Kris for reminding me that this is not a race. Although I had been reminded of that by the events above, it never hurts to be refocused on the purpose and meaning. Thank you Kris, and I assure you that my haste is fueled not by a calendar, but by my heart. This trip has been amazing and reminded me (not that I needed a reminder) of a love that is renewed every morning, by the rising sun. Much of my focus has been on a proper "send off" for Betty, but it has always been mindful of how that love, that life, that being has made me the person that yearns to bring all good things, at long last, to my dearest Alicia.

Speaking of whom - keep your left elbow bent and we shall soon be together again. Thank you for all you do!

Bonus materials:

A snail committing suicide by jumping off a phone wire

More failed technology, note the broken wheel

You think you have an ant problem?

I've seen a lot of churches surrounded by large crypts, many containing entire families.

I can not figure out what this is. There was an entire line of them spaced out along a road leading into a park/sports complex. It appears to be a solid metal frame with a mirror slanting from top to bottom. Each one appeared to have a metal cover adjacent to it, both sitting atop a cement pad. Ideas?

View from my room tonight. It's raining yet again, but I suspect it will dry out by morning

Another design engineer who should be shot! The glass door swings into the tub. It is in the fully open position. There is no way to step into the tub other than around the end, which requires either stepping on the steeply slanted and therefore slippery end of the tub or using your best American Ninja Warrior moves.