Day 7

Whew, 

That was a tough walk.

36,975, 17 miles, 127 flights

Shouldn't have been that tough, but conditions made it rough.  Departed  this morning with light drizzle, calm winds and 45 degrees. Finished day at 39 degrees, winds 15-20 mph and scattering of sleet in the rain.😎

Paused for a snack, (see bacon and coffee picture) in Viana. Caught the church open and decided to look inside. An hour later I walked out the door in amazement. Lighting was very low and flashes were prohibited. Absolutely astounding church. It had 10 vestibules with alters 10 feet wide by 20 feet tall. The main alter was probably 30 feet wide by 50 feet tall. The giant arched ceilings were painted in the vestibules and the main room had to be 65 foot peak. All stone, all carved. Started in 1099 and finished in late 1300's. It took longer to build that church than the USA has been around!

Rituals:

Did most of the day solo and my mind went to noticing of rituals. We normally see a ritual and wonder how it came about (or continues) for things as simple as serving tea, drinking Saki or getting dressed.  I believe I have an idea of where they came from. It's from the need to NOT do it wrong! 

In our current world, if you goof something up, lose something or break something it doesn't really cause much more than a trip to the store or maybe a delay until you can grab a replacement. In older times, those mistakes could have had serious implications. If those of us on the Camino make a mistake it can have much bigger implications than the same action at home. Not that we "can't" replace a lost item, but it may be days before we can. I watch each person carefully clean, medicate, then carefully sock their feet and meticulously tie their shoes. A mistake here could cause problems that could last days or weeks.   People laying out their clothes, towel and clothing, each item carefull bagged to stay dry because otherwise they'll be standing around for hours in wet clothes, because there are no more to grab from the closet. If you don't pack ever item carefully in the morning, you may discover 7 hours walk away that it's gone and you will do without for a while, or forever.  So, the rituals of an ancient traveler, or a person with only one cup and bowl make a lot more sense now.

Don't know if it was the weather or the seventh day, but basically everyone was solo-ing. Visiting when passing or stopping, but just "zoning out" for 1 or 2 hours at a time.

Buen Camino

Bob