Well we finally embarked on our Camino. Every bit of literature said the first day is by far the toughest. Having done it and survived my guess is they were all right. I never thought walking could be so painful. The 17 mile route was cursed with 4,653 feet of climb but the descents were the most brutal. I have a theory- God made the first day the most difficult to humble us, test us and then comfort us on the rest of the journey with reduced physical demands so we can be more contemplative. Sign me up. The walk was brutal I won’t belabor the point. Along the way there were signs marking the Camino. People would leave trinkets, stones, shells, prayer cards and other items to remember someone. The mounds were incredibly moving and powerful. They projected grief, love and remembrance. The powerful feeling came from the notion that the grief, sympathy and love came from a multitude of sources at different times and they all merged at what I felt was a sacred space. A picture of one of my sacred sites is below. With Carla’s love and support I finished the walk- no dodging alligators in the flatlands of Florida prepared me for the treacherous climbs and descents of today. We are now in the town of Roncesvalles which consists of 2 hotels, 2 restaurants, church, closed monastery and a tourist information center. This town is very old but would not exist without the Camino. This is a 2 beer posting, then dinner then sleep.