Day started well – met a fellow pilgrim by chance at a coffee shop – well before dawn – Anna is a Spaniard – she likes her coffee before walking so Jules has a kindred spirit. Ana also walked the 28km to Quiroga.
Will write more about the walk tomorrow afternoon after completing the day of 23Km. Topics include butterfly metamorphosis, encounters with dogs, sleeping while resting feet
Butterflies – often we have come across references to the change that can occur if one opens themselves to change. The saying varies in Spanish we have seen: “sin cambios, sin mariposas” = no change, no butterflies or without change there is no growth – the most striking was the street art in Ponferrada- see below
The wooden images on the trees on the path up to the summit carried a them about change and duality – see images below ⬇️
The process of transformation starts with the realization that we need to be aware of the need for change – if there is no awareness of a need for change then often there is no opportunity for growth and improvement in some way
We encountered a large dog at the Castillo Novais – it followed us out of the village and look determined to follow us to Quiroga – after much too & fro and then some stern male aggression we managed to get it to stay – in the process we think this is where Jules lost her sunglasses. The message of the dog is be careful who you engage with. Better to ignore needs for affirmation and companionship if one of the party is not prepared to follow through. We now do not visually engage with dogs in case they want to follow us.
Toward the end of the day – at our last stop about 6 Km from our end point in Quiroga – we both fell asleep for about 10 minutes – what a treat
“The process of transformation starts with the realization that we need to be aware of the need for change – if there is no awareness of a need for change then often there is no opportunity for growth and improvement in some way” – quote of the year! Which, together with the pics (on the trees and the mural) makes for an amazing meditation! Thnx Barry! Loved reading this post!