Significant Places

Day 6 of walking: Ponferrada to Villafranca del Bierzo, 23.4 km

While riding the bus felt like a fast forward version of Rand and my Camino, today's walk from Ponferrada to Villafranca felt like an intense look at the most significant places of my solo journey.

Ponferrada is where I met Rowena and took her to the doctor for her leg. And where I later returned to go to the hospital myself. It's where I spent several days at the castle hotel, bought crutches and an orthopedic boot, and began my slow journey forward by bus and taxi.

The highlight of the day for me was walking by the pharmacy where I bought my crutches and was told my Camino was over. Less than a year later here I was again with two happy, healthy feet and not so much as a blister.

Later in the day we passed through Cacabelos. It was in this town that I realized I would never make it to Santiago in time. But instead of throwing in the towel, I called the airlines and extended my stay an extra 10 days.

Finally we came to Villafranca where we would spend the night at possibly the most magnificent place on the whole Camino. (All pilgrims who need a night off from the Albergues should stay at the micro hostel La Puerta del Perdon!)

It was in this town that I spent Easter weekend last year. Where I attempted to rest, reflect on the spiritual parts of this journey, and was kicked out of Jesus' procession for being a girl. I would only walk one more day after this before taking the bus back to the hospital in Ponferrada.

Ponferrada where I had left almost a week before. 

And we tackled that stretch all today!

It was exciting for me to walk this today and feel so good. But talking with Rand made me realize how hard this stretch was for him. To know I was hurting but to be so far away and not be able to help. Sometimes I think it is harder for us to see the ones we love hurting, than it is to be the one who is hurt.