Camino Update

I am now two days out of Burgos and deep in the Mesata (high plains might be a good description).  If you like numbers, I have walked roughly 210 miles since starting in St. Jean Pied de Port, France on Sept. 29.  And, I have 290 miles until Santiago, which I hope to reach on Oct. 31, with a rest day in Leon next Sunday. The Mesata, especially in the fall, speaks of solitude  with villages far and few between the poor soils ploughed after the harvest.  The town I stayed in last night has a resident population of 100. I had a wonderful dinner with my Polish friend Kristof before mass.  This morning I met a guy who graduated from George Mason´s law school this year and is still awaiting his Virginia bar results.  He is also a Colorado Buffs fan but wouldn´t bet me on the outcome of the Texas-Colorado game. 

One reader asked how my body is holding up.  I guess they are worried about a 49 year old fat guy walking the equivalent of I-35 from the Oklahoma border to the Texas border.  Well, my chances of getting a heart attack would be much greater staying home and watching Notre Dame finish football games this season than walking 20-40 kilometers a day across Spain.  Seriously, I have been very fortunate.  The first week I had terrible chafing, I went to the Farmacia, got some cream, and am doing much better.  I have had two blisters (one self-inflicted when I hit the back of my bare heel on a step), but they haven´t bothered me.  My biggest problem of late is soreness/throbbing/trauma in my feet during the last 5 or 10 K a day.  Only the Chicago Marathon caused such pain.  Half-marathons are like a walk in the park compared to this.  But, once again, on the advice of my wife and son who have both done the Camino, I went to the Farmacia, got some creme and the feet have been much better since.  Please continue to keep me in your prayers.