One brave woman among many....
Before I tell you about Helen, here is Steve with the Pilgrims in Mansilla de la Mulas. No one is acting in this picture. When we took this picture, we were yards from our pension (inexpensive hotel), but our directions said “look for the water feature” and turn right. This statue was ten times bigger than that silly water feature so we missed the “water feature”. Add 1/2 mile to today’s trek. So total 12.6 for a total of 290.
So....about Helen. She is British by birth, but lives a few hundred kilometers from Johannesburg in South Africa. You’ll see her picture below. We’ve met her several times, but had a chance to spend time with her before dinner last night. Her story is her own, but it echos so many other women who are walking the Camino alone. She has wanted to walk the Camino for many years, but soon after it seemed achievable, Peter, her husband’s health declined. So, she cared for him and just last year, he died. She decided that the time was now to take on the Camino....she told her friends that she was going to the UK to visit for two and a half months. She neglected to tell them that six weeks of that, she would be hiking the Camino alone. Her two sons know and she checks in with them every day. And her accommodations are booked in advance, so she doesn’t scramble daily for where to sleep, and her boys know where to find her. It’s amazing how many other women have similar, but their own unique stories. Here’s Helen:
If you happened to read yesterdays blog, you know about Piedro. Here’s his picture this morning.
We’ve followed this French Canadian for a few days. I love his neckerchief and his face:
Last night we had dinner beside Werner and Anita from Denmark. Fascinating people. They say they aren’t sure what’s happening in America. He was really funny! No picture of them...yet.
Also no picture of Raymundo from Manhattan. Walks very slowly, seems to have the weight of the world on his shoulders and has a very colorful pack.
The first part or our walk was along fallow land, but some beautiful skies. Then we entered Corn Country. The Iowa Corn Growers have nothing on these farmers. And the last of the sunflower fields...
Today is market day in Mansilla...
Steve likes to make fun of my hair do’s on the trail and he may have a point. Sometimes a hat, sometimes a buff/headband, sometimes barrettes. I am hoping to get a haircut in Leon either tomorrow or the next day. That should be “muy”interesting.
Big rocks in flower beds...a coming trend in landscaping.
Here’s a mystery for you....we’ve seen this question on rocks throughout the trek. Who killed Daphne Caruana Galizia from Malta? Apparently she was an investigative journalist. She was killed a year ago and people were arrested, but the mystery is, “who ordered the killing?” A Camino walker is clearly asking for more information.
Finally, here is what’s left of my blister, and an update on the toenail that will probably be sacrificed.. Don’t scroll down if you don’t want to see it!!
Off to Leon tomorrow and catching up with our friend, Sandra Mascia. Count down to due date (10/1) for Baby Girl Masten 2!
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