Well, Day 11 and Took It Much Slower !

When you see the pics, the first few are from dinner and the town the previous evening. And look at the vending machine... all things for your travel walking ailments:  Compeeds, Braces, etc!

I've been walking slowly today with Meka walking along. I had made reservations about 18 km (a bit more than 11 miles) down the road, so walking slowly is okay. Met up with Marshall when I stopped for coffee.

It is now about 2 PM  and we have arrived in Tosantos.  All checked into the Albergue. It seems like a nice place, but 18 beds in one room makes it crowded (there's all bunks, pretty close together, hopefully there won't be a lot of snoring going on!).  There’s a little restaurant in town here where  I saw Hendrick. Plus the Italian folks I me earlier are here spending the night. I was able to get an email for them. Alice showed me a picture from our dinner together a few days ago (the one where there was singing, etc).  

We walked much slower today;  a quick 5 minute rain  shower at one point,  but the rest of the day, was cloudy and comfortable. Since we arrived here, it's been an enjoyable afternoon mostly sitting in the restaurant, relaxing, reading about the next days, and meeting new folks. A little downtime I think is good and necessary. I even got on Facebook and read old comments... very enjoyable and a bit inspiring.  

 I find I can walk with blisters. I would prefer not to, but I can... and likely will for a spell... my hands are somewhat comfortable... totally cloudy today so no direct sun... I still wore gloves... though it was more comfy so I left my right hand exposed for easy access to the phone/camera... ended up dropping my glove  (it either did not make enough noise or I was not paying attention)... unless someone picked it up and is here tonight, I believe it may be gone. Left hand is worse and I have that glove... life will go on... 

Meka and I have been having many conversations... not sure what God will do with her or what she will do with God, but not up to me. She has no children and has not been married, but has had a couple long relationships. I believe she is maybe 5 years in the current one... not certain.  I am aware when I'm walking and talking, I don't journal on my phone as much.  Interesting....

I took some pictures of this Albergue.  It's a very nice enclosure with a one-story building, lawn chairs and tables and umbrellas, but because of the possibility of rain nobody is outside. Kind of sad but it’s OK. Seems like a nice place to spend the night... tomorrow will be somewhere else, whatever God has to offer, exciting times every day. And then the next day. 

A few days ago, while talking with Angel (he owns the Albergue in Navarrete and speaks good English), I was telling him that when passing folks in a big city, who are obviously not walking The Camino, and they wish me Buen Camino, is it appropriate to respond with 'Buen Camino' or better to say 'Gracias'?  He shared that each of us are on our own Camino throughout our life... so responding ‘Buen Camino ‘ is totally appropriate... so there you have it... each one of you are also on your Camino... so I close with... Buen Camino!

 Dinner this evening was so good... Love getting fresh Greens!