Puenta La Reina to Estella

Camino Day Six

What happens is a kind of surrender to the physicalness of it all - the uphills, the downhills, the heat, the rain, the occasional comfort (I stayed in a hotel last night!), the discomforts - the albergue I am staying in tonight.

This morning began with a visit to the Church of the Crucifixion in Puente la Reina. I felt the profound sacredness of this focus on the crucifixion - how we want to shy away from it because it is so awful but that without the crucifixion - without the suffering there can be no resurrection. In the back of this church was a bigger than life-size statue of the resurrected Christ - replete with wounds and carrying fish and bread - I assume on the way to Emmaus.

This mattered to me this morning because so far this Camino has been hard. Thankfully no blisters (yet) but lots of aches and pains and exhaustion. Today began with another long and steep uphill. My strategy is 1) to meet the uphill gladly and 2) to go as many steps as I can (100 or 200) and then stop and rest.

As I was huffing and puffing up the incline this morning two young men came up from behind carrying huge packs, practically skipping up the hill and SINGING! Every eight measures or so a beautiful Amen. A poignant reminder of what is possible.

Tomorrow begins with another long steep climb. I know it will be hard and yet I am deeply grateful to be able to be here and to do this.

Peace and Love from Estella Spain

Peeka