St. James Way

44th Hiking Day

On the way from Burgos to as far as my feet can carry me. If I had one wish - and you can and may wish for anything - then it would be fine with me not to see Pleun, David and this weird guy who supposedly invented a space station again. I'm sorry when I think about the others, especially Ann-Catherine. But yesterday evening was just too depressing for me. As if I had a wall of blissful happiness, solidarity and the deepest exchange of ideas in front of me. They chatted over beer and nachos about deepest issues, weaknesses, everything in complete openness. Very fine to me. But obviously I just wasn't part of it. Yesterday, sitting on my bed, I decided for today to hike as far as my feet will carry me. This feeling, this depression, this exclusion was a real issue for me yesterday. I don't know if anyone noticed. But now I listen to my heart and wander. Whether I walk alone or find more company, I can't control that. At the moment I would prefer to walk alone. Beside from that, we said goodbye yesterday to dear Nadaf. A completely outstanding personality. For the sake of completeness, the € 4.50 for the visit to the cathedral in Burgos was really worth it.  For little money you really get something.

Just met Spencer. Nice guy from Montana. Apart from that half-time in Hornillos del Camino. An awesome burger with a fried egg and a cerveza grande. Works for me. Maybe another 20 minutes break. Then I walk on. I must not rush either. Otherwise I'll run out of breath on the last few meters. »Long Peter« taught me that. May he live forever.

»Once more unto the Breach, dear friends, once more.« On the way from Hontanas to the next village. Let's see what comes next. You must definitely not lose optimism and you can continue to wish for things from the big great Golly. What could possibly go wrong?

I'm just walking down an avenue and remember that this was the first time I saw this youngster. How he sat there on the side of the road and had eaten something. He said something about his advanced physics course.

So, here I am now 39 km away from Burgos in Castrojeriz in the Albergue Ultreia. I met Lina here exactly one year ago. Unfortunately, I'm the only pilgrim here. But maybe it will be nice after all. I mean I don't have any snorers in my room. Today I'm a little bit depressed too. I left all the people behind. And now I'm all alone here. Somehow not perfect either. But should it be a bad day because of that? I have to focus on myself. On the »here and now«. That’s key. And then trust in God. Tick, tock. Only now, only here. I'm actually glad that I stayed here. I have a beer for € 1.50 and can have a look in the guest book. I can finally learn to understand the wine press from last time. My laundry is washed and dried. It's really alright. And as for tomorrow: I will have a relaxed day. There is not only one way. In any case, very quiet here. For the first time in my life I dared to write in the guest book and forgot the "e" of my own name because of my excitement. God how embarrassing! But I dared it. What will tomorrow bring? I just have to follow my heart. Again: stay in the here, stay in the now. And for tomorrow: a beer. A little company. Pain-free legs. And I want to follow Lina's advice and just go to new albergues for a while. The rest was exchangeable anyway, if I remember correctly. Simply new hostels. So today is a kind of farewell party to my own memories.

I'm flabbergasted. It was so the right decision to come here again. Food formidable. And then a private tour in the wine cellar. Ceilings and walls, some of which date from Roman times (1st century). Other parts from the 12th century. All of this can be reached by a small inconspicuous staircase. In the end, the landlord left me all alone in this historic cellar. "Tranquillo." I was able to take as much time as I wanted. The whole cellar to myself. That was a very special silence down there. Then the thought of Lina and Deborah. Above all, Lina. It was such a nice evening back then. And today I had all the time in the world down there.