Enjoyed second part of Days 13 and 14 Made a Few suggestions. Jill
jill stockinger
Santo Domingo de la Calzada --- Villamayor del Rio --- Villafranca Montes de Oca
(Day 13-14 - Sept. 21-22, 2014)
Dear Liz—Marvelous as always! It is so enjoyable to read your stories of your journey.
I did make a FEW suggestions. Jill
A Storm Arises and One Man’s Gift
Part Two
I was awakened by a loud clap of thunder in the distance, the rain continuing noisily and relentlessly. It would rain most of the day. We dug out our rain gear and mentally prepared ourselves for a different way of experiencing the Camino. We bundled ourselves, my small backpack tucked safely under my outer layer, a heavy-duty garbage bag. We headed out in good spirits and ready for the 17 kilometers that lay ahead, walking in silence for a while under the steadily flowing rain. My thoughts vividly focused on the sound of raindrops landing on my hat and torso and the squish squish of my boots sloshing through newly formed puddles. One would have thought it might have been a bit unsettling, but it was actually one of our best days! Somewhere along the way, we began to sing songs, or more accurately, verses of songs we knew:
Raindrops “are” falling on my head
But that doesn’t mean my eyes will soon be turnin’ red
Crying’s not for me
Cause I’m never gonna stop the rain by complainin’
Because I’m free
Nothing’s worrying me
Because I’m free
The dirt paths had started to become red clay soil--a lovely color in the sun but not so easily muddled through when wet. We slogged through mud and rocks with a childlike (one word) abandon that morning. The clay soil caked itself onto our hiking boots as if not wanting to be left behind. We were joined along the way by George and Iris, and their companion, Molly Devine from Portland. When we reached a wide, dirt logging road, the six of us stopped and sat on a large log to eat; sharing our snacks under a canopy of trees. That is when I discovered I had left my sunglasses at the farmhouse now several kilometers back.
Along the way, many of us left things behind. Things that make it so far and serve their purpose until one day, they are gone, left behind somewhere without our noticing. Connie, who would walk with us for the next 10 days, was notorious for leaving things behind accidentally. I believe she may hold some kind of record for most things abandoned in the shortest amount of time: hats, stockings, sleepwear, and her mini black dress (we laughed hard over bringing a slinky dress for the Camino). (period outside parentheses) We joked that at her pace, she might not have anything left to carry or wear not too far down the road. She took it all in stride. She had an easy-going personality and was enjoyable company.
Today would be my day. I left my sunglasses on my bedpost at the farmhouse. The rain coming down, the digging out of our rain gear and preparing for this new experience, had altered my routine and thrown my thoughts into overdrive. This was the first and only thing I would leave behind, but a significant item--they were prescription sunglasses and the only ones I had. I not only realized I wasn’t wearing them, as I usually did, but that I didn’t have them with me. I fumbled in my pack to find our guidebook and the number for the farmhouse. I called and the same young girl answered. After my rambling explanation, I heard her say in a cheerful tone, “No te preocupes.” Don’t worry, she said. She informed me that the transport company had not yet collected our backpacks. She assured me she would slip my sunglasses into the top pocket of my pack before their arrival. Relieved and grateful, I thanked her profusely.
I had a revelation that day. I noticed, again and again, when small things happened such as a loss of something any of us carried, or a negative circumstance occurred…that it became abnormally distressing. Much more disrupting and difficult to absorb than it would have been in everyday life. Maybe because we have so few possessions to begin with, or maybe because we count on so little, that the smallest thing can be emotionally very affecting. Or maybe because our emotions are so near the surface, so raw and easily exposed, that any small event--just saying goodbye to someone--can leave us emotionally dazed and confused, sad and overwhelmed. A wide array of emotions in a flash can be easily exposed and unstoppable. Even decision-making can become such an overwhelming task when, in reality, there were such few decisions to make each day. How well do our emotions adapt to our circumstances? How do stress levels adapt to our surroundings? Is having to continually adapt in itself stressful?
I have learned in the past that having to be the continual primary decision-maker is stressful. Being able to speak Spanish made my companions rely on my abilities to ask for whatever was needed. Anne, being so flexible and adapting so easily, was happy to go along with whatever was decided. These were qualities that I admired in her, but This journey would teach me and confirm many things about myself. This was one of them.
We traveled along a gravel path parallel to a two-lane noisy highway. The path led us straight to the village of Villafranca Montes de Oca and its 135 proud inhabitants. There are several towns with the Villafranca name along the Camino. Pilgrim Franks made these towns and villages their home as they traveled to and from Santiago de Compostela. The village sits at the base of several large foothills and claims to have been welcoming pilgrims since the 9th century. It was also notoriously known in medieval times for being a wild and desolate land in which traveling pilgrims were easy targets for bandits who roamed and hid in these foothills.
In this small village, there was a luxury hotel called Hotel San Antón Abad and within its walls an Albergue for traveling pilgrims. Originally a pilgrim hospital built in the 14th century, it still retains part of its ancient stone façade. As we walked into the separate lobby area for pilgrims, I was struck by its medieval feel: its archways and chandeliers, its colorful classic furnishings, and its beamed ceiling. I immediately felt we were in for an extraordinary treat.
As we waited to check in, (NO HYPHEN for words check in) I glanced at an elderly gentleman sitting on a nearby couch. I headed toward him and greeted him in Spanish as I sat down. He arched his brow and responded in kind. I smiled and asked him if he was walking the pilgrimage.
“No,” he said almost playfully, as if he’d been asked that question many times before. “I have done the pilgrimage many years ago.”
He paused, and then said, as if to no one in particular, “This is my favorite time of day. I enjoy watching the pilgrims coming in for the night.” He smiled at me, a knowing smile. “Go,” he said. “Enjoy yourself, the Hotel is at your disposal. Just ask.”
I thanked him sincerely for his gift to us pilgrims. His beaming smile said it all. I sensed who he was. I had read about him in our guidebook. He owned the Hotel, and offering such lavish accommodations was his wish and his way of “giving back” to fellow pilgrims. I never found out his name and I’m sure it wasn’t something he needed me or any of us pilgrims to know. He unselfishly gave us the luxury of using parts of the Hotel for a mere five euros. We were to sleep in an attached section of the Hotel with large rooms filled with bunk beds, a bar and terrace area seemingly just for us, and an extravagant (FREE OR NOT? Included as part of the 5 euros?) buffet breakfast the next morning.
As I checked in, (no hyphen) I eyed my loyal friend, my purple backpack, leaning against the wall behind the counter. Unzipping the top pocket with apprehension, I peeked inside. There they were, my sunglasses safely tucked away and waiting for me. My breath evened, the stars aligned, and the sun came out to celebrate my good fortune.
After stripping out of our wet clothes and boots, showering and dressing in fresh clothes, (you told us Undressed so need to Add dressing) Connie, Anne and I wandered around the grounds. Bob from Reno was sitting at a table outside the bar with some friends. George, Iris, and Molly Devine were in the bar with some other friends. The French trio had arrived. That evening a large group of us, old friends by now, dined together in the Hotel restaurant. We were given six menu choices for our main course, (just a comma-what follows is NOT a complete sentence or part of a list) a delicious dilemma. I quietly marveled at the joyful spirit of those sitting around me. We took pictures, ate to our heart’s content, drank wine, and thoroughly relished the gifts given to us by the man on the couch.
George would be the last man standing, (comma) the last man into the bunk room that night long after lights out--whispering and giggling, his bota bag tucked under his arm. He was in his own bubble of bliss. As was I.
Elizabeth Deuso
No hyphen when using check in this way:
check in
in: Dictionary, Thesaurus, Medical, Legal
check in
1. To officially confirm one's arrival at a certain place where one is expected, such as a hotel. I'll go check
in at the front desk and get our room key.Tara is checking in for the exam at the registration table.
2. To officially record someone's or something's arrival at a certain place. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "check" and "in."Sir, I can check you in over here.We need to check in all these
students before they're given the test materials.The librarian already checked those books in.
3. To communicate with someone at a certain interval in time so as to provide or ask about an update in
status or otherwise simply talk.Hi mom, I'm just checking in to see if you're feeling any better.Has anyone checked in with the publisher? When will the next issue be finished?Hey, check in with your mother once in a while when you're away at college, will you?
4. To die.That rickety old car will definitely check in before you make it to the mechanic.
WITH ADVERBS that end in LY like NEWLY, you never use a hyphen.
Newly formed is an ADVERBIAL Phrase. The verb is Form. The descriptor is “newly” so
there is no hyphen in “newly formed.”