yesterday we traveled bymetro and bus to our starting place, Roncevalles. We began the bus ride at 10:30 and arrived at 7 pm. We checked in to the refugio and went to the pilgrim mass. The priest said Eucharist, invited us all to recieve and then gave us a traditional pilgrim blessing. it was a good blessing. Statues of the Virgin Mary, St. James, and Jesus watched as we participated in the very ancient tradition. Today we walked our first walk. 13 miles to Zubiri. Ϩt was a good walk, kind of cold and just enough up and down to let our legs know that they had work to do. We were the first to reach the refugio and found good beds for the night. since then we have eaten, read some, and talked to the other pilgrims. many germans are with us and several speak both german and english. it has been fun to converse and laugh at the challenges we faced like a lot of mud.
I want to say a word about gratitude. I found myself being grateful for small things more than usual today. grateful for the people who waymark the train and for those who helped make a way in the mud or over a small stream. I think I often forget to be grateful because most of the time I am not having to do difficult things like walk so much. Tomorrow we go to Pamplona. We may take a rest day after that, we will see.
All is well. Blessings to all of you.
Michael
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