May 20 2009
Day 14?
“Not all who wander are lost.”
I thought I would begin this entry with a fabulous quote which one of our friends has printed on his t shirt. I must say at this stage I feel like I could give up my normal life and become a wanderer. With a donkey at my side, and tortilla for breakfast, lunch and dinner, I think I would be happy forever.
To tell you the truth I don’t even know what day we are on now. I think it is around the 14th… On the Camino there is no way of differentiating different days of the week. The only day I can tell apart is Sunday because the supermarcado is closed. Apart from that time is quite irrelevant. I have not worn a watch or used a cell phone, and it feels weird being on a computer now. Which is really very refreshing!
I have not had my time of enlightenment yet, but I have been told by an Inca from Peru that my time will come before the end of the walk. We shall see…
We have stayed in some pretty interesting places over the past week. Last night we stayed in a nunnery, the Iglesia de Santa Maria, which was run by nuns! Real ones! Who were short, holy and wore the full nun regalia. A fellow pilgrim from Germany who I had been walking with for the later part of the day, arrived and fainted. (Due to too much beer and not enough water.) It was pretty classic, sitting and watching this real nun fuss over him, getting him to roll into the recovery position and giggling occasionally. Then when she went to show me to my dorm room she pointed out the mens bathroom, opening the door, taking a sneaky peek in and giggling again. Priceless! Funnily enough they had an outside basketball court with sculptures of the Virgin Mary overlooking it. So I did a holy 3 pointer, with Mother Mary as witness.
We have now been walking in the meseta for the last 3 or 4 days. The meseta is supposedly high flat and dry. Given that it is May, it is still relatively green, which is fortunate as I believe it would be overbearing walking this with no colour but brown. It is already hot. Very hot. I would say it was about 29C today, and my tan lines are going from strength to strength.
Another highlight has been sleeping in a gymnasium hall.. between the goal posts! WOO! We scored on the Camino!
The next day was a goodie… walking 28ish km. We didn’t realise it, but infact we’d been walking in a valley, and as we climbed this hill… we looked back to something out of a NZ farming magazine photo shoot. Fields and fields of green brown and yellow and windmills running off into the distance. The weird thing was.. after reaching the top, we were anticipating a big downhill… but it was just flat. I mean crazy flat… like as far as you could see. The sky seems huge. If you were going to draw a farm, and sheep and clouds as a small child… you would draw what we could see.
The irony is that the Camino is very similar to rowing training camps. So for me it has felt quite normal fitting in to the routine which for some people is a little difficult. I guess this is the athlete side of me that is grieving a little. As my rowing friends would strongly relate, we eat, exercise, talk, eat, sleep. I guess the big difference is there is absolutely no stress. None at all. It is so nice to feel so relaxed. Everything is set out for you, and it is the simplicity of it all that I love so much.
Current location: Terradillos de Templarious (H on map)
Dear Clemmie - we have just been reading your blog - I am very proud of you! Lots and lots of love Gramp
Clemmie! Missing you and counting the days till you are back! It all sounds amazing! GO TEAM CLEM! xxxxx
We’re really enjoying getting this glimpse into your epic journey. Clem - you write really well! It sounds like you are enjoying every minute of this trip and are going to return with some pretty incredible memories.
All the best
Great story all round; keep it going and most interesting. The heat sounds great . Its 8 degrees here and 12 metre swells in the Straits. Saw “Big” on the Cable today.
We are think you are great! Our little feet would be complaining by now - at least we have four each!!
Hey clem.. sounds like you are having the most amazing time -(are you in advertising by any chance - your definately selling this trip for me!!! ) Im very jealous - we’ve just been out rowing again in freezing temperatures!!…Keep up the posts, ill be watching your progress! - and also… thanks for the little pres you sent - very sweet! lots of love and luckxxx
I’ve had so much fun reading your posts!! I STILL can’t believe you guys are walking so far! Hope you get to reward your feet with some shoe shopping in singapore on the way back
Keryn xx
Gorgeous Clemie - you’re an inspiration! Sounds like you are having an incredible time!! Well done you!
Much love Sarah (Auck sis!) xx
hi clem, awesome to track your progress. sounds like an incredible journey. just had your mum in the tennis shop and got a update on how your goign and the rest of the whanau. awesome your keeping the dream alive xox
Hi Clemmy,
WOW! What an amazing journey you are on. Big ups to you and pleased you are still slamming those three pointers! Am loving reading your blog and can just imagine you ’simling girls’ through your amazing descriptions and anecdotes! Congratulations, good luck and I look forward to reading more!
Lots of love,
Di
Hi Clem and Jacqui,
You must be nearly at the end now - what an incredible experience you have had. This blog is great, a way to keep your memories alive.
I was in Wellington over the weekend and caught up with your parents Clem, which was really great. They are, as am I, so proud of what you’re achieving.
Best wishes for the last legs of the trip (ha ha, pun). Looking forward to seeing all your pictures.
Lots of love, Fi xoxo
This is a great post and makes me think of where I can fit in. I do a little bit of everything mentioned here and I guess I have to find my competitive advantage.