Route: Puente del Reina – Estella

Distance: 27 km (Total: 55 km)

After a sleepless night at my first albergue I resume my walk. The snoring of pilgrims reminded me of a concerto with some solo parts for double base, bass horns and timpani. My earplugs did not help.

In the morning I was surprised to see other pilgrims leave the hostel so quickly. I was wondering where they were hurrying so much. This year I decided to deal with my constant rush. I felt good about myself to be leaving the place as the last one. A grumpy cleaning lady helped me a bit with that informing me that the departure deadline was at 8:30 am. I could have pretended not to understand her yet I humbly left for the trail.

Back to sleeping at albergues aside from a couple of drawbacks you find some advanatges other than low cost. This morning I saw quite a few pilgrims applying some cream to their feet. I asked one of them about that and he offered some to try out. I am not sure whether it was the effect of the cream, a different pair of socks or simply different terrain profile but my feet burnt less this time.

The places I walked through today were very picturesque. Lots of medieval architecture and even some remnants of the Roman Empire. What a great civilisation it was to have left so many things. What will remain from our time for posterity? What about my personal legacy? Perhaps this virtual blog?

Today’s walk cut through a highway a number of times. Watching the rushing cars I was wondering where everybody else was hurrying. And here I am toiling like a tortoise with a big load on my shoulders. It felt somewhat heavy today. Perhaps I took too much provision for the road today. Anyway, this snail’s pace is a good cure for my fast life.

St. Ignatius recommended that whenever you attempt to deal with some bad habits simply engage in opposite activities. Are you impatient? Start crotcheting. Are you too talkative, become a patient listener.

I cannot complain about the weather so far. Today 70% of the time it was sunny with occassional clouds. Only during the last hours I walked in a blizzard. It is quite chilly though, between 2-5 C.

Just as I expected upon reaching another albergue I saw a few familiar faces there. I ended the day strolling around the beautiful city of Estella. I got half a dozen of my favorite Spanish dessert, churros, got the magic feet cream, some groceries and the trekking poles. There is way more climbing ahead of me.

Meditation II: Where is my treasure?

Mt 6,19-23

19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy,[a] your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy,[b] your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness

I focused on meditating the famous verse 21 from the Gospel according to Matthew. Above I quoted a larged excerpt to better understand the context.

During the medition and frequntly asking myself where my actual treasure is for quite a while I saw a picture of the biblical young man who …

Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions

(Mk, 10, 22).

It is high time to focus on gathering heavenly treasures …