So...my feet....
I went to the health center...Again, immediate service and no charge...what a country! Bottom line. The doctor said I can keep walking, but no more than 12 miles a day, and must stop in at health center again in 2-3 days. So, at that pace, I won´t be able to reach Santiago before I have to leave. So, I´ll walk as far as I can, then probably bus the last stretch to Santiago....Think of it this way: those of you who pledged per mile will have a discount coming! For me, all is well. My head is good, my heart is good, my body and legs are good, if I had a better left foot, all would be perfect!
16 Comments:
Hey Chris -
I just caught up with your journey today by reading your blog. It's wonderful you got to rest in Bobadilla's hometown. You're in my prayers as you continue on. Do well. Peace.
Jack Mattimore, SJ
Hello Chris,
Sorry to hear that your blisters got worse, it is indeed wise to listen to the medical advice and give time to healing.
Hundreds of miles is nothing to be scoffed at, you are among a minority who have the determination to do the pilgrimage. Lots of people walk for a week or perhaps two. Be practical and allow the feet to heal, you can always return another time and pick up where you left off!
Well done.
Mary in Youghal
A discount, maybe ... but the spiritual gains are impressive. We're pulling for you at CHC. Ceil
thoughts & prayers with you; check's in the mail. vaya con Dios todo su dias. enfermera deb de NC
What a ripoff.
Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more!
Are we Gloucestermen?
Reschedule your flight. I'll give $30 toward the fee. And the 9/30 gig will be thrilled with your excuse and with your either video-conferencing them, or BIG-blogging them.
(sung) "We may never pass this way again..."
Hi Chris
Just caught up with your journey today... oy!! Walk lightly dear one.... I am so glad to hear\read the Light in your voice through all this... Prayers are with you. Sending soothing and healing thoughts to you and your feet. Love and Light Louise
"My Left Foot" - You may be looking at a movie career. I noticed that whoever wrote "What a ripoff" decided to remain anonymous. It figures! Don't be dismayed. People half your age have tried the pilgrimage and did not make it as far as you will. Vaya con Dios!
- Patrick
Dear Chris,
It's wonderful to hear from you. I think of you every evening as I lay me down to sleep. Your report of your evening in Granon is one end of a marvelous spectrum. I feel for your feet, and I'm thankful for the Belgian Machine. Your remarks on El Cid make a fine point. One question: Who are Philomena, Maureen and Sean?
I remember vividly (from not so long ago) the ever-present experience of walking, walking, walking that is so deeply engrained in the experience of the Hajj that the pace seemed like God's and my feet seemed to be His servants. Travel in general is such a central part of pilgrimage, it's as though the ur-inspiration for it, back in the dim and misty of the past, must have sprung from a recognition that our love of Home, while salutary, is also such a spiritual soporific that only by breaking away from it can we renew. That's the point of prayer, I suspect, to break the mind and consciousness itself from the usual routine and press us up close face to face with the Divine-- a revolutionary concept, but obviously also one people can turn to rote and mechanics. Pilgrimage shakes one out of ALL routines.Your notes on the Web remind me, once again.
So: I feel for your feet. But I also recall a moment on a stairway in Mecca when, after a few days and nights of little or no sleep, and dressed in a couple of dirt streaked towels (the pilgrim's get-up in those parts), I must have looked even more excessively bedraggled than usual; so that a man I did not know and will never meet again set his hand on my shoulder, looked me in the eye, and said, "If it wasn't hard, it wouldn't be a pilgrimage." So, Chris, I say to you and to your feet, enjoy and make great memories, because what you do is what you'll have to reach back to as the touchstone of these weeks. Everytime I turn to your blogsite and see the home page I'm inspired again by the purpose behind your walk. Mille gracias for las notas y blogas (I am now inventing Spanish words), your amigo sur la carreterra,
Michael
Chris, A Medical P.S.
I just related your saga to my wife, Cathy, who knows about these things, and she recommends you find in a good pharmacy or have a loved one ship you quickly two items for your feet: A supply of SPENCO 2nd Skin Moist Burn Pads (4 2" x 3" pads to a box)and a supply of Mole Skin. You can cut the "burn pad" material to fit the blister and use the Mole Skin to keep it in place. I suspect other wraps than Mole Skin would accomplish the holding in place if it's not available. It's the SPENCO 2nd Skin Moist Burn Pads that are the important ingredient here. This stuff keeps the burn or blister clean and protects. I also recall a heavenly sensation.
Buena viaje,
Michael
Chris:
So sorry to hear you are suffering with blisters and sore feet. I have to admit, while I imagined you'd be tired and sore, it did not cross my mind that you might suffer from anything severe. Hey, you prepared, you're not crazy, why would you not proceed with the utmost confidence? Our prayers are with you, and we are happy to read that your spirits are good. Do what you can, as far as racking up the miles is concerned, and do what you should, when it comes to medical advice.
Lou
Chris, with the condition of your feet, do you think you can walk from Sarria to Santiago? If you walk the last 100 kilometers (about 62 miles), you'd be entitled to a Compostela, the certificate that you can get at the pilgrims' office in Santiago. But make sure you get sellos in the albergues in Sarria. The bars and churches there will give you sellos, as well. I had three sellos from that town alone.
Will keep on praying for you.
You're young and healthy, you can always do the camino all over again and hopefully, with many lessons learned, especially about TLC for the feet.
You are in our prayers along with the mission that you are so kindly helping with. Your work is inspiring. CHC is cheering you on. -RS
I meant "ripoff" in a nice way.
Really -- I was referring to that great moment when you rip off a bandaid to note that your blister is healing nicely after all.
Sheesh, maybe you do need Comment Moderation for me after all.
To make matters worse, I'm compounding my poor taste by submitting this after the whole thing has fallen apart (in a good way). Good to hear Patrick growl in your defense.
--Peter
Chris - I have been praying along with you for much of your journey -- I am sorry that you have been battling blisters and respiratory infections. Your body speaks.
It has been truly edifying to 'walk' with you. God is certainly a close companion on this journey.
I am so glad your are embracing the challenges put forth along the pilgrimage with a spirit that Ignatius would be delighted to call his own. Our 48 year old bodies cannot take deadlines. I love the story about the upper bunk!
You are more than welcome to join two sisters who plan to journey next summer -- perhaps to walk the last leg to Santiago together!
Be gentle with yourself! The Brazilian Jesuits will be hearing from a very wise man. I look forward to hearing about the journey in person and seeing the photos!
Peace
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