St. James Way

29th Hiking Day

And not one bit quieter. On the way from Maslacq to Navarrenx. Even the people from Strasbourg one floor above us heard Paul's snoring through the floorboards. Well, what could you do? Maybe 4 hours of sleep and on it goes. And then the good mood at the breakfast table. It was alright, but it kind of sucked too. However, the milk this morning from our landlady's cows was freshly milked and nice and fat. The cream formed appetizingly on the surface of the coffee. In addition, everyone had a freshly made bed and their own towel! A dream if it hadn't been for the eternal snoring. Had to shake Paul awake in the middle of the night. Then there was silence for at least an hour. 4 more days, then I should have reached SJPdP. Then a sharp turn to the right. Since the gîtes there are few and far between, I will better book in advance. The question that worries me is whether I should take a day off in SJPdP or not. Those are the problems here. And then - to be honest - the sooner I get through this difficult part, the sooner it will be behind me. I cannot assess the route at all, but everything should be feasible. There is also this Roger (Strasbourg), 65 years old, who I cannot quite evaluate. Open, talkative in at least 3 languages, but precise like a researcher in the field of nature descriptions. Incredibly fit, Ernst-Jünger-alike. At least that's how I imagine Ernst Jünger would be. A really unusual personality.

I think there is a difference between now and previous hikes. Not always, but more and more often, I walk at my own pace without chasing after others. I don't have to be part of things everywhere and it is easier for me now to withdraw and accept playing »second fiddle«. On the subject of »I don't have to and actually don't want to run along with the group«: I suspect and fear that I will have difficulties again in a new job. I am definitely a team player, but nevertheless I always have problems to see through group dynamics and that presents me with considerable challenges. Well, I don't want to deal with this topic any further at this point.