Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Through desolation. . .

Howdy folks.

We are now in Carrion and are speedily approaching our next big city, Leon.  But, in order to get there, we have to go through some pretty desolate areas.  We were actually advised that for tomorrow´s trip we should bring enough food and water for 40km!  We have Nature´s Valley bars still and enough water bottles to help us get there, but still makes one a little anxious. . .

Anywho, the stay in Boadilla last night was nice.  We met two American girls from the west coast and hung out with them and Ben the Australian for most of the afternoon and night.  We had some good laughs last night, which really helped us get over the semi-miserable stretch of road into town.

We made some new friends as well from Spain who were a lot of fun to try to talk to in Spanish--very outgoing jokesters.  We caught up with them on the end of our walk today and I talked to one of the guys for the last 8km or so.  Another fallen away Catholic who had some "beef" with the Church.  We had a good convo, and I hope I was able to bring to clarify some of the things about which he was concerned.  Pray for him.

Getting to Carrion was rough.  The road into Carrion has been called the "soul-less" pilgrim autopista--basically a long, straight road that doesn´t have a lot to offer.  I´ll upload a pic tomorrow to demonstrate.  The walk was worth the wait, though, because we are staying now at a convent where, as tradition has it, Saint Francis stayed on his journey to Santiago.  The convent belongs to a group of Poor Clares who we had the privelege of praying with this afternoon and evening.

We went to the pilgrim Mass tonight after a 4.80euro dinner picked up at the local supermercado.  Supermarkets are the way to go!  A loaf of awesome bread, 12 slices of meat, two tomatoes, and a jug of peach nectar--can´t beat it.

Alrighty, well I am off to bed.  Gotta rest up for tomorrow´s journey.  God Bless you all.  Again, be assured of my prayers.

peace,

Paul

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