I woke up as early as always today but took my time because I wasn't meeting my crew until 9. I had time to learn how to make my own coffee from a European machine and play with the little kitten that lived in my temporary home.
The fellas were right on time and our first stop was the active Monastery at the top of the hill.
It was the warmest, most welcoming place and we befriended the monks immediately. We were made coffee and bought trinkets from their shop. The monk was amused by our trio of 2 Americans and a Canadian and he jokingly referred to me as the president of the group..
He was kind enough to bless our necklaces and say a prayer for us and our children.
It was what us pilgrims refer to as a Camino moment. When something is surreal and so full of love and goodness that it moves you and touches your soul. We then toured the Monastery and took photos with a monk. The monk was older and didn't have many teeth and he kept hugging me and didn't want to let go. He kept saying the word serve to me, over and over and I don't know what that means because it wasn't English. I will do my research and let you know.
It was a beautiful way to start our day and our walk began from there. It was another day of forests but this time we mostly followed a river all the way to Guernika. There was a giant wooden staircase that led us from the top of the mountain and down to the river.
The shade was glorious after yesterday's heat but sadly did not last. We met up with Bernardo, my Mexican friend from day one. He and Jorge motored forward and Harold and I happily strolled behind them.
We met up for lunch at a place with shade but not the friendliest bartender. He seemed annoyed that we were there ordering anything. I tell you though, that was the best coke zero I've ever had. The guys had a sandwich and I ate my ham and cheese rolls. It was the fuel and rest we needed but we had still far to go. It was wasn't long before the desert heat kicked in and we were climbing, with zero shade and zero breeze. Our asses were getting kicked again. Jorge and Bernardo made it to the top first... big surprise and I asked Harold to grab some shade with me as we literally had to hug the mountain wall to get some. I needed to switch out my empty water for a full Gatorade and Harold was kind enough to pour water over the back of my neck to cool me off. We all agreed this was heat stroke weather and it actually felt like climbing out of the Grand Canyon.
This was another very difficult moment where we were all grateful for eachother. For the support and the friendship and this comraderie is why people love to walk the Camino. It's a brotherhood you don't feel anywhere else.
We are all now safe and cool in our hotels and after we all break for a bit and recover from the heat, we will meet up for dinner and drinks
and probably laugh about how we all thought we were going to die out there.
What a fabulous night after a long, hot week. I think we earned a day off 😁
So that's the plan!
Tomorrow... Dragonstone 😍
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