Oct 13
Forty km (24 miles) left to finish the Camino in Spain- two more days of walking! We have seen so much these last 39 days, averaging close to 33,000 steps daily.
Every step of the way Jane and I have carried our small backpacks, each with both the Colorado flag (since Boulder is now our home) and Zimbabwe, our home for nearly 30 years.
Also on our packs are small animals knitted by Gogo Olive, a Mutare, Zimbabwe-based organization that was started to provide skills and employment to female ex-prisoners so that they had less need to return to crime.
Jane’s animal is a monkey. My zebra has special meaning, since it is my totem and connects me in a significant way to others of the zebra totem in Zimbabwe and Botswana.
in addition to the flags and animals, we each carried a scallop shell, which has become the symbol for the Camino. Most peregrinos (pilgrims) carry them on their bags to identify themselves as pilgrims to others. The tradition began when centuries ago pilgrims that completed the pilgrimage walked to the sea to collect a shell to prove that they had ‘walked the Way’. There is a lot of other symbolism involved. Stylized versions of the shell are often used to mark the correct paths- and even on manhole covers.
In addition to the symbols on my bag, I always proudly wore my Africa University cap, since our walk is being used to raise funds for a scholarship to that institution.
Most days we still set out in the dark. The first few weeks we wanted to beat the heat. Now the temperatures are perfect for walking, but starting early allows more frequent rests to lessen the fatigue that comes from walking such distances EVERY day.
But- beautiful scenery, wonderful people, good food and health-we are thankful!
