Wrap Up (Sort of) Part I

There are so many people that I met over there who made my second time so wonderful.

• Beverly - not to be overly dramatic, but I found in her a soulmate for 'The Way'. I connected to her in so many ways, always platonic. It had to be that way. Her guidance was spot on; her attitude upbeat. Altho' inevitably behind her on the trail, she was the beacon that guided this ex-sailor thru some rather difficult times. Like all relationships on the El Camino, when it was time for us to go our separate ways, I was not sad. I was happy to have met and known her and to have shared over half my journey with her.
• Bridget - over dinner my second night back in Spain, we talked of the Camino and the meaning and relevance that it brought to our lives. We all have our experiences that only a few others understand. I can not explain to others what the El Camino means to me; it's too personal. But Bridget and I shared that meaning that night over a meal in a non-descript plaza in Seville.
• Jose, ship's captain - just a chance encounter in Merida. We talked for less than an hour, but I was struck that of all the Spaniards that I would meet, and speak in a non-native language for me, that I meet a fellow sailor, a traveler of the oceans and that we talked of sunrises and sunsets far from land.
• Jose, hiker - brought me to laughter.
• Karen - a nice lady from the Netherlands. She and I spent a Saturday evening in Merida, attending Mass, walking around the city and bothering the church officials (just kidding) for a stamp for our Pilgrim credentials.
• the 4 Basques - helped me on one of my problems in Spain. Readily acted as the intermediary for me as I negotiated resolving a problem. They're assistance helped steady me in my sense of self-determination, in my belief that I could do this.
• the 5 German bikers - on my last night on the El Camino, they were unfailingly polite. Without them, I would have been all alone in the albergue/hostel. Altho' we basically could not communicate, they were most friendly. The next morning, I got the first start - before sunrise - later, as they passed me on route N-630 on their bikes, they all wished me a 'Buen Camino' .

	Camino 2014	Camino 2015
Distance	80 miles (130 km)	180 miles (300 km)
Number Stages	5	13
Month	April	October
Days on the El Camino	7	16
Most Amazing Experience	Meditating with the 'Our Father' along a country road	Steeped in the Roman history of Merida's Teatro & Anfiteatro (Coliseum)
Weather	Constant sun; temperatures in the high 80s	Mix of clouds/sun/some rain. Temperatures in the low 70s
Overall health	Blisters, infections	Good
Ghosts	Profound self-reflection thru-out	Couple of days of introspection, mostly letting the mind wander
Busride to Seville at the end	Tinged with regret, having to stop early. Vivid recollections of my stages.	Satisfied with the hike/adventures. Watched a lightening storm over Merida at night.
Cultural	Semana Santa (Holy Week)	None

Food

• jamon and manchego cheese
• eggplant, dripping in honey
• cold green salad with tomatoes, etc in olive oil and vinegar
• calamari (squid)
• albondigas (spanish meatballs)
• octopus
• paella
• papa fritas
• ensalada de patata (potato salad)
• gazpacho (much better than V8)
• tinto de verano or cerveza
• cafelito con leche
• zumo de pina (pineapple juice)
• coca-cola