Day 8 Logrono/ Day 9 Ventosa/ Day 10 Canas

Day 8 Los Arcos-Logrono

Hello everyone! We are still walking in rain and loving every minute of it! Soon, the sun will come and it will be hot.

On the way to Logrono today I had to stop in Viana to have lunch (where Nicole and I had this wonderful dinner) and I had this wonderful lunch once again. Several of our friends also stopped by and it became a very special meal. A lunch filled with emotional and spiritual connections.

With our friend Jean-Louis we talked about the three kinds of Love: Eros, Philos and Agape.
I was overwhelmed with the love of friends and mankind during this meal. Earlier this day we walked near a river where once again it was overflowing...Just as my heart was overflowing with love of the simplicity of friendship. Friendship is so important to value, we must not waist a moment gathering and sharing the love from those closest to us. I was so full of love that it carried my feet all day. Thank you my dear friends here and at home.

We stayed in the church in Logrono because the Albergue was full. Another wonderful evening. The Priest and a volunteer (Angel) created an atmosphere of generosity and love and laughter. Some of the pilgrim´s cooked the food that was gathered amongst them and then we ate at a long wooden table with good food, wine and more friendship. Before the meal there was a Chinese male who was cutting a man´s hair and asked if I wanted mine cut, oh no, thank you I said. He said I think, Just a little; no, no thank you and we laugh.

After dinner it became apparent that no one knew why this chinese man was at the albergue. The unfolding was hilarious. He spoke Chinese, the Spanish, germans, english, french were all trying to understand...no one could figure out who he was. We thought he was a volunteer, no. He wasn´t a Pilgrim...who was this masked hair stylist? This went on for more than an hour when the Priest finally pointed a finger for the Chinese man to follow him. I saw this while helping with dishes in the kitchen. I felt like I was in 3-5th grades in Catholic school when a nun or priest would point a finger to have someone follow them. I couldn´t stop laughing. It ended with The Chinese man being able to spend one night here and then he had to leave. I didn´t see him again.

Day 9 / Ventosa

Yvonne & I took a different road today that called to me. Not surprisingly, I found a jewel. A new albergue opened 2 months ago run by Enrique and Jutte. This will definitely be in my travels each time I come. Thank you Enrique and Jutte and all the pilgrims.

Day 10/ June 5, 2008 / Canas

Today we ventured far off the beaten path...the route of the monasteries. We stayed at the Cistercian abbey of Santa Maria founded in 1170. Sadly, most of the nuns who occupied this abbey have died and we encountered Mary Carmen and Padre Felix who so graciously let us sleep in a small tiled room...no beds...it was interesting, he didn´t want us to leave this little room for fear of someone seeing us since it felt we shouldn´t be there. We entered this room at 7:30 pm, daylight until nearly 10 pm and didn´t leave until he thought we had left this morning at 7 am when he opened our wooden door. He was such a sweetheart. We found time to do some long needed journaling and contemplating. Who had walked on these floors? What words had been spoken? Apparently Saint Francis of Assisi stayed here while journeying to Santiago. We felt honored to be here. Thank Padre and Mary Carmen.

On Days 9 & 10 we walked among rolling hills of grape vineyards. It made me think of Seasons of Change...Spring brings new growth. The stalk of the vine has a sturdy base, making me think of families needing sturdy bases. It´s never too late to form the base if it was not given in the first place. I thank our children for giving their children the strong bases for them to grow into loving and caring people, allowing them to stronly follow their own hearts and paths. I love each of you and my wonderful husband, Marc who gives everyone the base they need to continue their own paths. ILY My Sweet, Sweet Man.

Day 11/ June 11, 2008/ headed somewhere for another 15-20kms?

I leave you with these words:

To laugh is to risk appearing a fool
to weep is to risk being called sentimental
to reach out to another is to risk involvement
to expose feelings is to risk exposing your true self
to place your ideas and dreams before a crowd is to risk their loss
to love is to risk not being loved in return
to live is to risk dying
to try is to risk failure
but risks must be taken
because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.
the people who risk nothing may avoid suffering and sorrow,
but they cannot learn, feel, change, grow or really live.
chained by their servitude they are slaves who have forfeited all freedom.
only a person who risks is truly free.