Blisters!

Today and yesterday were quite long (25 & 30K respectively), which is why I´ve been absent from the computer. I swore that I wouldn´t get blisters, between my special socks and the use of Vaseline on my feet. However...we reached a decision point at 1pm yesterday - to stay where we were for the night, or to walk another 12K (8mi), as there was only uninhabited countryside in between. We chose to go on, and instead of listening to the pain in my feet and legs, and stopping to investigate the cause and administer care to them, I powered through to the town that was ¨just around the next bend¨or ¨just over the next rise.¨ When I took off my shoes, I found blisters on several toes, in addition to some insect bites that were becoming infected. Today, I began by bandaging my feet, and managed to find the proper balance between ignoring their constant complaining and checking in with them now and then. When we faced a similar decision today, I took a rest with my feet bare and elevated, then checked the bandages, changed socks, and walked a few steps before deciding to go on. I learned to hold my toes in different positions for ascending and descending hills. Believe it or not, I´m not fond of downhill, but level is the bomb! We really get a good pace going then.

The scenery has been beautiful - rolling hills, vineyards, olive, nut and fig trees, with majestic mountains in the background. We´ve enjoyed the small towns we´ve passed through, as well as the very prevalent Medieval ruins.

Tonight we´re at a municipal hostel in the largest city we´ve seen yet - Logorño. It has a large industrial area, as well as a group of homeless people hanging out by the church near our hostel. I went to visit the church and Miguel opened the door for me on the way out. I felt moved to give him my Ecclesia cross, with the standard blessing, of course. It just seemed right. I think common cathedral has been on my mind especially today, as a Level 1 hurricane is hitting New England, and I hope everyone decided to stay safely inside today. It would be the first time ever that common cathedral has not happened, in more than 15 years, but I think it is justified. I´ll call home soon to find out how the storm is progressing there.

One thing I forgot to mention before: As we were landing in Dublin, seemingly just feet from the ground, suddenly we felt the nose of the plane pull up and the engines thrust. We were taking off again. Everyone on the plane was silent. Wendell, who is retired from the Air Force, said there must have been something in the runway. Soon, the pilot came on to say that there was a problem with the runway lights. As we banked only twice to return to the airport, Wendell surmised that the pilot had actually approached the runway from the wrong direction. So, we had 3 takeoffs and 2 landings - not usually a good thing for these numbers not to match.

I´ll try to upload some pictures next time I post. Peace to all, and prayers for you. Please pray for us.

Buen Camino!

Uncle Wendell and I intended to begin walking in Roncesvalles, but discovered that the timing of our arrival in Madrid and connections to Pamplona would not allow us to catch the daily bus to Roncesvalles that same day. So, instead of wasting a day, we decided to begin in Pamplona, the town that releases bulls to run free through their streets once per year. Fortunately, they got that over with in June.

By the time our train arrived, the pilgrim hostel was full, so we were directed to a pension. It was old and run down, and very simple (the man who showed us the room was careful to artfully arrange the ashtray and TP on a table near the window), but the bed was comfortable and the shower warm. At dinner, we met a German man who is cycling the Camino. He had already crossed Switzerland and France in just over 3 weeks, and is now working his way across Spain. So far, most of the people we´ve met have been Europeans; no Americans.

Today was a hard day - not the best to begin with. We passed over a 790-meter summit topped with wind turbines and a monument to pilgrims, before we stopped for the night in Uterga.

The terrain was steep and arid, and the air hot and dry. We were grateful for the ocassional cool breezes and patches of shade. We passed by fields of sunflowers that had succumbed to draught. We´ve seen practically NO livestock, and wonder if they went the same way. It was slow-going up the mountain, then we picked up speed on the other side.

Wendell asked me what I hope to get out of this pilgrimage. I told him that I´m holding it with open palms (something I learned from my former Spiritual Director; Hola, Zoila, if you´re reading this) - open to the experiences that God will give me, and the lessons God will teach me, allowing myself to be led by God on this path. Part of what I want from this experience is to spend time with my late father´s brother, and to get to know him better. Another part of it is to experience just a small part of what my congregation does in their daily lives - carrying my things with me, relying on the mercy of strangers for my well-being, and never knowing if there will be a bed for me at the end of the day. In no way do I expect to understand what it means to be homeless, as I know that I have a home to return to, and credit cards in my pocket, but perhaps I can glean just a glimpse. Most of all, I am practicing trusting that God will take care of me, and I know that is something that my congregation practices daily. Blessings to all of you at common cathedral.

I look forward to gentler terrain tomorrow. Tonight, we did get beds (in fact, quite satisfactory accomodation) at the ¨Camino del Perdon¨ Albergue y Restaurante. Dinner was tasty and filling, and I look forward to hitting the bunk bed as soon as I´m finished writing. It already served me well for a siesta. Buenos noches!

Catching Up

From Honduras, I flew to San Francisco for my seminary class' 11-year reunion. While I wish that more of the class had attended, it was great to catch up with those who were there. While we all had many life events to fill each other in on, in some ways it was as if we had just graduated yesterday - just picked up where we left off. Ellen joined me there, and after the reunion we spent another few days seeing old friends in the Bay Area. The weather was delightful - sunny, yet cool. It was fun to be a tourist in a city where we lived for many years. One day we rode the historic F Line street car to Pier 39 and watched the sea lions, then went to the Ferry Building for lunch. Our friends Bill and Myrna took us on their favorite stairway walks in the Sunset, and we ate at Cafe Gratitude...twice! Yummmm!

This past week, I've been trying to reconnect with home, and at the same time get ready to leave again. It's great to be with Ellen and our furry family. We received a very warm greeting from the animals when we returned. Friday, we went to the farm where we've been volunteering, perhaps for the last time, since it's shutting down around the time I get back. It was sad to leave there. Yesterday I filled my pack with all the things I think I'll need for Spain, then went to the YMCA to weigh it. It weighed 24 pounds, and I only want to carry 20. I'll have to choose a few things to leave behind. Tomorrow, Uncle Wendell arrives so that we can fly to Spain together on Tuesday. Mom will join us for dinner tomorrow night.

I'm looking forward to speaking Spanish again. I was just starting to feel pretty confident when I left Honduras; now it feels like it's leaked out of my brain. I hope it will come back and even improve with a month of practice. I'll write more once we start walking in Spain.

Now...with English Subtitles (see below!)

La Ceiba

Dije “Adiós” a Padre y su familia; a Edwin, Amadea y el resto personas a la escuela; más Lorena, Ana, Ellen, Kate, Carlos y algunos perros, pero no encontré Woody. Pienso sabe el amo. La vuelta de autobús estuvo larga, pero está mejor que se alojando en San Pedro Sula.

(I said “goodbye” to Padre and his family; to Edwin, Amadea and all the rest of the folks at the school; plus Lorena, Ana, Ellen, Kate, Carlos and some of the dogs, but didn’t find Woody. I think he knows that I love him. The bus ride was long, but better than staying in San Pedro Sula).

No se di cuenta de hasta que oí un este mañana, como no oí un avión por tres semanas. La Ceiba esta desde luego mas ciudad de Copan. Tiene las tiendas de una cadena, un comerciante de autos, y muchas más personas. También, está más Caribeña; las plantas esta más tropical y están más Afro-Caribe personas. El aire es más calor, pero con las brisas fresco de océano. ¡Muy bien!

(I hadn’t realized it till I Heard one this morning, but I haven’t heard an airplane in three weeks. La Ceiba is definitely more of a city than Copan. It has chain stores, an auto dealer, and many more people. And, it’s more Carribean; the foliage is more tropical and there are more Afro-Carribean people. The air is warmer, but with a cool ocean breeze. Very nice!)


Como, ya que ahora soy responsable de la mía comida, por fin pude beber una licuado con cereal para desayuno. Pase la mañana caminar en la playa. He tocado los Océanos Atlántica y Pacifico, y el Mar Iberia, pero estuvo primera tiempo toco el Océano Caribe. Sin embargo, no tuve lugar seguridad para mi pasaporte y camera, tuve nadar con uno mano los extendiendo fuera de agua. Ahora los dorsos de mis manos quemo, pero estuvo lo valió.

(Now that I’m responsible for my own meals, I finally had a liquado (shake) with cereal for breakfast. I spent the morning walking on the beach. I’ve touched the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and the Iberian Sea, but this is the first time I’ve touched the Carribean Ocean. However, I didn’t have a secure place to leave my passport and camera, so put them in a plastic bag and held them out of the water while I swam. Now the backs of my hands are sunburned, but it was worth it.)


La playa está lleno de basura, como de los calles de Copan. ¿Por qué parece que barrios de los pobres siempre tienen basura? ¿Esta que las personas expresan sus furia de sus pobreza por contaminando el entorno por otra personas o que no creen merecen querer belleza en sus vidas?

(The beach is littered with trash, as were the streets of Copan. Why is it that in poor neighborhoods there always seems to be trash on the streets? Is it that the people express their anger at their poverty by contaminating the environment for others, or do they not believe that they are worthy of beauty?)


Almorcé y estoy paciendo la tarde junto a la piscina. Posible salde por cena. ¡Esta vida difícil! La verdad esta, tengo usar mi efectivo antes de salir en la mañana. Es muy divertido dar propinas grandes. Pienso la criada recibiría la una más grande. Este todo viajar en Honduras me he haciendo aún más consciente de discordancia entre solo supervivencia a el cojín el mayoría de norteamericanos tienen. Oí las cuentos de Ana y Ellen acerca de los bebes muriendo a causa de malnutrición o dysentery, y presencie las condiciones de vivar de muchas gentes y el estado de muchas animales aquí. Esta maravilloso puedo dar dinero, y está agradecido que mi cojín está muy grande.

(I had lunch and am spending the afternoon poolside. Perhaps I’ll go out for dinner. It’s a tough life! The truth is, I have to use my cash before I leave in the morning. It’s really fun to give big tips. I think the hotel maid will receive the biggest one. This whole trip in Honduras has made me even more aware of the vast difference between mere survival and the cushion that most of us North Americans have. I heard from Ana and Ellen about babies dying from malnutrition and dysentery, and witnessed myself the living conditions of many people, and the state of many animals. It’s fabulous to have money to give away, and I’m grateful that my cushion is so large.)

Jueves

Anoche antes de seis, me estuvo preparando salir con el Padre por seis medio, cuando Lorena me llamo. Yo pienso ella me llamo para cena, pero cuando me sentar a la mesa, dijo, “No. El Padre está a la puerta.” Fui a la puerta y él dijo, “Yo quiero vamos ahora porque puede que llueva.” “OK. Un momento,” dije. Agarre mi bolsa y estar a punto salir, cuando Lorena dijo, “Heci baleadas solo por usted. El esperare. Rápido!” Ella me dio un plato con una baleada. Entonces, me senté y lo come. “OK. Gracias,” dije. “No, uno más,” dijo y me dio una otra. El todo tiempo yo pensado El Padre está esperando. Come segundo baleado y prisa a través de la puerta. Después salí, mirar El Padre hablando con un grupo de norteamericanos. Cuando los llegue, El Padre dije, “Nos invitaron para cena ala restaurante. Quero ir por cincuenta minutos.”

(Last night, before 6pm, I was getting ready to go out with Padre at 6:30, when Lorena called me. I thought she was calling me for dinner, but when I sat down at the table, she said, “No. Padre is at the door. I went to the door and he said, “I want to go now since it might rain.” “OK. One moment,” I said. I grabbed my bag and was on my way out the door when Lorena said, “I made baleadas just for you. He will wait. Quickly!” She handed me a plate containing one baleada. So, I sat down and ate it quickly. “OK. Thanks,” I said. “No. One more,” she said, and handed me another one. The whole time I’m thinking that Padre is waiting in the car. I ate the second baleada and headed out the door. Down the block, I saw Padre talking with a group of North Americans. When I reached them, Padre said, “They’ve invited us for dinner at a restaurant. I want to go for 15 minutes.”)

Entonces, fuimos ala restaurant y tomamos una bebida. Llegamos a Corralitos por seis treinta y cinco, tarde para el oficio. Además a Eucaristía, estuvo un Bautismo de un hombre. ¡El sonreía resplandeciente! El Padre me sorprendió por me pedio realizar el Bautismo. ¡Estuve encantado!

(So, we went to the restaurant and had a drink. When we arrived in Corralitos it was 6:30, and we were late for the service. In addition to Eucharist, it was the Baptism of an adult. He was glowing! Padre surprised me by having me perform the Baptism. I was thrilled!)

Después el oficio, quise comprar joyas de la dispuesta a cooperar de las mujeres, pero nadie tuvieron la llave para el edificio, así que El Padre dijo me devolverá hoy. Pero, no puede el causar hacer uno más viajar. Entonces, camine en la tarde. No lejos, pero no darse cuenta de inclinación empinado. Estuvo una difícil sesión de ejercicios, pero que merece la pena. Compre muchas joyas bonitas como alguna de ustedes recibirá para los regalos.

(After the service, I wanted to buy jewelry that’s made out of beans by a cooperative of women in the village, but no one had the key to the building, so Padre said he’d bring me the next day. But I didn’t want him to make one more trip. So, I walked there this afternoon. It’s not far, but I hadn’t realized how steep. It was a difficult bit of exercise, not a problem. I bought much beautiful jewelry that some of you might receive as gifts.)

Mi perro se llama Woody (My dog’s name is Woody)

No puedo encontrar el perro anoche. Esto lloviendo y espere tuvo sitio ir. Se lleve una hora temprana para el busco. Vi en manzana donde encontré ayer, pero no perro. Dar vueltas la manzana. Cuando llegue el ultimo lado, vi a termine de manzana. Cuando fui dentro de media manzana, llame suave “perro”. El azoto por ahí, meneado se cola y trote me hacía. Se arrodille y puse el pan en la acera. Él lo olí, pero fue más interesado en amor. Coloco su cabeza junto a mi pierna. ¿Cómo pude resistir? Dije no tocare algún perros de los calles, pero aquí fui rascado la cabeza de este muy apestando muy amable perro del calle. Después, se senté en el bordillo y intente hacer se comer. Pensé, posible, seré salir y comeré. Camine el otro lado de calle a el parque centro y se senté en un banco. Y el perro me segué. ¡Ay!, pensé, !tengo el perro! De nuevo, otra vez, lo colocó el hocico junto a mi pierna. Temí Lorena me matara si traigo un perro a su casa. Por lo tanto, espere hasta que el pose en la tierra, no me mire y empezó caminar a la casa. ¡Oh, no! El me mire y siguiendo. El camina con un flojo, probablemente de una lesión viejo, por lo tanto esta lento. Después dos manzanas, este muy segura el perdí. Sin embargo, camine una ruta indirecta por Casa Lorena.

(I wasn’t able to find the dog last night. It was raining and I hope he had a place to go. This morning I spent an hour searching for him. I looked on the block where I saw him yesterday, but no dog. I walked around the block. When I reached the last side, I saw him at the end of the block. When I reached the middle of the block, I called softly, “Perro.” He whipped around, wagging his tail and trotting toward me. I knelt down and put the bread on the sidewalk. He smelled it, but was more interested in love. He placed his head against my leg. How could I resist? I said I wasn’t going to pet any street dogs, but here I was scratching the head of this very stinky, very sweet street dog. Then, I sat on the curb and tried to get him to eat. I thought perhaps if I left that he would eat. I walked across the street to the central park and sat on a bench. And the dog followed me. Oh! I think I have dog! Once again, he placed his muzzle against my leg. Lorena is going to kill me if I bring a dog to her house! After a little while, he had settled on the ground and wasn’t looking, so I got up to walk home. Oh no! He saw me and is following! He walks with a limp, probably from an old wound, so he isn’t very fast. After a couple of blocks I thought I had lost him. Nevertheless, I took a circuitous route home.)

Anoche, Ana, la amiga de Lorena llego de Tennessee. Su amiga, Ellen, nos unir para desayuno. Cuando Ellen entro en la puerta, cuido para prohibida la entrada de los perros. Mire afuera y esto circa ocho perros. El uno en la medio esto mi perro! Me fundo y trajo su amigos! Sin embargo, resultar Ellen opera un refugio pequeña en su casa y esta parte de red de gentes dan de comer para los perros de los calles. Si, probablemente, los perros su seguido ni me. Pregunte para el perro marrón y muy delgado. Ella dijo se llama Woody porque está muy huesudo.


(Last night, Ana, a friend of Lorena arrived from Tennessee. Her friend, Ellen, joined us for breakfast. When Ellen entered the gate, it was difficult for her to get in because of a bunch of dogs. I looked out and there were about 8 dogs outside the gate. The one in the middle was my dog! He found me and he brought his friends! However, in the end I learned that Ellen has a small shelter, and that she is part of a group of people who feed the street dogs. So, probably, the dogs followed her, not me. I asked her about the skinny brown dog. She said his name is Woody because he is so boney.)

Padre recogió para iglesia por ocho medio con su toda familia en el carro. Estuvi preguntare acerca de Viernes, pero no puede hacer sin sonando reprender y el no paracio me enfadado si lo solté. Vamos por Agua Caliente (en Honduras), donde fui con Carlos de la finca. Hacemos Eucaristía en una iglesia y después todos movieron sus sillas en el círculo para una reunión de negocios. Pasaron por ahí las libretas y trozos desgarrado de papel y discutieron cuando sus reunirán próximo. Después, nos invitaron de una familia de la iglesia para almuerzo. En la mayoría de las pueblas, la instrucción de Paul como todo gentes comen en las suyas casas antes de reuniendo para adorar, tiene sentido perfecto. Pero, esto obviamente una familia más cerca de clase media. Padre agarro el control remoto y encendió futbol. Esto más televisor vi en Honduras. Todo tiempo, pensé acerca de Woody.

(Padre picked me up for church at 8:30am with his whole family in the car. I was going to ask him about Friday, but didn’t know how to do it without sounding scolding. He didn’t seem upset with me, so I dropped it. We went to Agua Caliente (in Honduras, not Guatemala), near Carlos’ farm. We had Eucharist in one church, then afterward, everyone moved their chairs into a circle for a business meeting. They passed around notebooks and torn pieces of paper, and discussed when the next service would be. Afterward, we were invited to have lunch with one of the families from the church. In most of the churches we visited, Paul’s instructions that all the people should eat in their own houses before coming to worship really made sense, as no one had much to share. But this was clearly a middle class family. Padre grabbed the remote control and turned to soccer. This was the most TV I’d seen in Honduras. The whole time, I kept thinking about Woody.)

En La Luna, estuvi de vuelta clase. Con Edwin, practice formar los oraciones usando verbos varios. También, vamos a mercado con dos otra muestras y sus estudiantes. Cuando estuvo en el centro, miro para Woody. Una mujer joven venio la escuela y me pedio. Dijo ha estuvo a iglesia anoche y dijeron ella hable ahí semana pesado. Pregunto si trabajo con common cathedral. “Si,” dije. Entonces, pregunto si conozco Emily Sugg. “! Si!” Emily esta una partidaria más entusiasta de Ecclesia. “Soy hija de ella,” dijo. ¡El mundo es diminuto!

(On Monday, it was back to class. With Edwin, I practiced forming sentences using various verbs. And, we went to the market with two other students and teachers. When we were in the town center, I looked for Woody. A young woman came to the school and asked for me. She had been at church last night, and was told that I had spoken there the week before (She’s the person Padre said would translate for me, but she didn’t know anything about it). She asked if I work for common cathedral. “Yes,” I said. Then she asked if I know Emily Sugg. “Yes!” Emily is one of Ecclesia’s most enthusiastic supporters. “I’m her daughter,” she said. The world is very small!)

Después almuerzo, fui a cibercafé. Termine mi negocios y estudiando, pero necesite esperar para la lluvia parar. Entonces, compre comida para los perros y ponerse en camino mirar por Woody. Busce las manzanas donde el encontré primero y mire un gallo cruzando el calle, pero no Woody. Estuvo me sobrevenio como solo poco raro, si el otra día, salió Casa Lorena a través de la puerta y casi venio cara a cara con el caballo caminando abajo el calle.

(After lunch, I went to the Internet café. After completing my business and studying, I had to wait for the rain to stop. Then, I bought dog food and set out to look for Woody. I searched the block where I had first met him, and saw a rooster crossing the street, but no Woody. This (the rooster) struck me as only slightly unusual, as the other day, I walked out of the house and nearly came face to face with a horse walking down the street.)

Senté en el parque esperar. Encontré cuatro o cinco otra perros, una de cual tan delgado con Woody y ella ha dado el pecho. De todo de comida. Mucho personas me do las miradas loco, pero continuando pensar, “Igualado los perros comió las migas debajo de su mesa.”

(I sat down in the park to wait. I met 4 or 5 other dogs, one as skinny as Woody and she had been nursing puppies. I gave away all the food. Many people looked at me like I was crazy, but I continued to think, “Even the dogs eat the scraps from under your table.”)

Esta Martes y no mire Woody por dos días. Me duele de corazón por puede que el muerto. Después almuerzo fui al centro y no Woody. En cambio, fui la Internet café, pero la Internet estuvo funcionar mal en Copan todo. Entonces, decidí comprar un billete autobús por viernes. ¿Lo cree; Saldré Copan este Viernes? De aquí, visitare La Ceiba por un día, entonces volare por San Francisco en domingo. Estuve afortunada compra no solo un billete a La Ceiba y San Pedro Sula, pero también volver al agente explicar mi cometi un error. Realmente, no necesito ir San Pedro Sula terminal, per ala aeropuerto. Por una adicional noventa cinco Lempiras, resuelvo. Mientras tanto, todavía tuve un bolsillo lleno con comida para perros, así que de nueva, otra vez busce por Woody. Después caminando por ahí varios manzanas y espere en el parque, por fin el mire al otro lado del parque. Metí prisa al y llame, “Woody.” El meneo y mi miro como si decir, “?Como tú conoces mi nombre?” De nuevo, otra vez estuvo entusiasta por afecto, pero tan pronto como olio la comida, intentó rasgar abierto la bolsa. Después como la mayoría del montón hice para él, volvo para afecto. Preocupe necesitare el perder de nuevo, otra vez, pero finalmente vago hacia otra parte echarse en la sombra.

(It’s Tuesday, and no Woody for 2 days. My heart aches that he could be dead. After lunch I went to the center and no Woody. Instead, I went to the Internet café, but the Internet was down in all of Copan. So, I decided to buy my bus ticket for Friday. Can you believe it? I’m leaving Copan on Friday! From here I’ll visit La Ceiba for a day, then fly to San Francisco on Sunday. I managed to buy (In Spanish) not only my ticket for La Ceiba and then San Pedro Sula, but also to explain to the agent that I had made a mistake, and actually need to go to the airport rather than the SPS terminal. For an additional 95 Lempiras, that was solved. Meanwhile, I still had a bag of dog food, so set out anew to search for Woody. After walking several blocks and waiting in the park, I finally saw him on the other side of the park. I walked toward him and called out, “Woody.” He looked at me like, “How do you know my name?” Once again, he was eager for affection, but then he smelled the dog food, and tried to rip open the bag. After he’d eaten most of what I gave him, he wanted more affection. I was worried that I’d have to lose him, once again, but finally he walked away to lay down in the shade.)