Day 17 – Rest day #2, Grit and my dog Olaf

Definition of Grit – firmness of character; indomitable spirit

I had a delightful breakfast with Carey from Maine this morning.  He is a published author of prior travel books.  He is walking the Camino in honor of his mother who recently died.  His book on the Camino is going to be more of a memoir.  He is one of my angels from this day.  He and I have passed each other over the several past days.  Mind you, he is walking, stopping, having conversations with pilgrims and I am mostly walking.  His stopping and my continuing on is why I pass him.  On my longest day of 18 miles a few days back he saw me in my last 4 miles and remembered seeing me.  It was right before the horses I encountered on the trail.  He saw the same horses!  Anyway, when I saw him at breakfast this morning, he did not recognize me because I wasn’t wearing my infamous hat.  Once he realized who I was he described me with the term “grit”.  He commented on how my slow, methodical approach to walking the Camino is something he has noticed.  I find it very interesting that he used grit to describe me by a characteristic that I have not appreciated about my trek. I have been wishing I didn’t get injuries.  Wishing I was walking faster.  Wishing I could stop and take these leisurely breaks that it appears other pilgrims are able to take.  Admittedly I am jealous that I am not having “that” Camino experience.  In looking at the definition of grit, I definitely like that description of me vs. mine.  Another example of how I have a distorted image of myself.  I am learning to pay attention to these lessons that continue to roll over me.

What does my dog Olaf have to do with me in Spain on the Camino?  Well I’ve taken a taxi 2 days in a row now to get me to the next destination.  They cost 30 euros each (about $34).  I start thinking this is an expense I should not be doing.  Find/learn how to take the bus.  God knows I have time to get to the next destination.  I bet the bus is less than 10 euros.  Then it occurs to me that MANY times I have paid $35 – $50 bucks a day to get walking/feeding services for my dog when I am out of town.  I am below my dog on my list of importance with regard to money!!  Geez, I do believe God is often laughing at the travels my thoughts take as I learn lessons.  I have never had an argument in my mind about spending that money on my dog yet I do about taking care of myself.  I hope you are all laughing at my craziness.  I know you are laughing with me and not at me.  Just like God is laughing with me.  And He is likely delighted in my newfound awareness.

Buen Camino!