There's no place like home!!

Well we did it!Finally got home this morning.Plane delayed in Atlanta.Karen is a SAINT!! I love my home and am glad to be here! Thanks for all your support.It was an amazing experience.Look forward to seeing all of you @ Cathy and Ann's party.I could use one! Love, Lisa

Players from Real Madrid are at out hotel

From Debbie- I had heard when I booked this hotel that we might see the players from real Madrid and they arrived last night. I rode the elevator with a few of the players last night but of course I did not know who they were. Today when Lisa came back from The Prada- they were leaving for the game tonight. I waited an hour and they were thru the lobby ib five minutes but I had to try to get the pictures for Emma.

Walking the Camino

WE met great friends along the way and two girls from Ireland- Aina and Evelyn Mary. They walked with us for the first tow days- Aina with Lisa and Evelyn with me. I was much slower than Lisa and Evelyn walked more my pace. We had wonderful conversations and I will never forget her. I hope to visit her next year. She told me that I would not be a couchsurfer but visiting as a friend.

Lisa cooking with Judith in Leon

Lisa and Judith had plenty to talk about becuase they both love to cook. The food was fabulous and I think Lisa should follow her passion for cooking. How fun would that be!

The Last Day

Good Morning to all, It´s our last day of waking and the anticipation of arriving in Santiago is great. We actually napped and slept last night.YEAH!!! We have made it.Am sooooo looking forward to seeing the cathederal and the arrival of pilgrims from all over Spain.Love to you all! Lisa

From Debbie Day Five

It is 6:30AM and we are taking our time leaving this morning. Breakfast is at 7:oo and normally we would wait until we have walked 2 hours but this morning it comes with our room and we walked an extra 6 miles to be able to sleep in ( we think we walked 20 total yesterday). I am grateful for my Dad´s genes ( Gary) becuase they have carried me well. I have had few aches and other than struggling up the hills,I have been fine. Today , we arrive in Santiago and see the church. We will also meet up with our friends- Evelyn and Aina. Can´t wait to see them again. I am thinking that the way I climb the hills and we have one more big one to go, that they will catch us then! I have taken lots of pictures, but no way to upload them yet. I will be sure to post them as soon as I can. Love Deb

From Debbie- day four walking

Many of you before I left told me that you hoped I got everything I wished for from this journey and I want you to know that I have and more. The journey for some is just the distance and the challenge of the walk and for some it is a spiritual journey as to why we are here and where we are going. Because everyone is walking to the same place, you get to know and recognize the people you travel with. The first two days, Lisa and I traveled with Eveyln Mary and Aina from Ireland. We left in the dark and walked with flashlights for two hours every morning. Evelyn stayed behind and helped me conquer the hills and for that I will always remember her. She sang me Irish songs and at one rest stop , an Irishman sang Black is the Color. The tilt of his voice sitting at an outdoor cafe with the sun shining was amazing. I also met Nicolata from Germany at the same spot . She walks alone but with all of us. The quiet in the woods and climbing hills- really mountains is incredible. I feel small and on top of the world - both at the same time. We have seen sunrises and sunsets. I have prayed for my family- Jason that he finds his passion in life and forgives me , James that he lives a long happy life , for Bill I am forever grateful that he always supports me and lets me become who I am meant to be, my Mother- I thank her for giving me all her strengh, courage, and stamina, My Dad (Daddy Phil) for all his love all my life and for teaching me kindness, to my brother who I pray for health and love and to my sister that she finds love. For my neice, Avery because her whole life is ahead of her.
And for Alexandra that I see her soon.
We arrive at Santiago in the morning and will attend the noon mass. After we plan to take the bus to Finnesterre- which is far as you can go. I have felt Nikki with me and have brought some of her ashes to place in the ocean. Nothing will take the pain away from loosing her but this camino has been my time to mourn her in a way that I think she deserves.
The miles I have walked have been difficult but I found that when I prayed , it became easier. I have not known where I would sleep at night or where I would eat and yet, it all came with ease.
I have walked in the dark, in the sunshine, in the woods, in the quiet, in the rain and I have heard laughter and joy. If the Camino calls you to walk, you should go.
My love to all- Debbie

Day 4

Hi everyone, All is well.19 miles today and every muscle is aching.We just had dinner and some wine.Eucalyptus trees amazing today.The scent was amazing! Going to Santiago in the morning,attending mass and then on to Finesterre.¨The end of the world¨Too tired to blog so will say good night and love toyou all!!! Karen she is so not add!!! just a baby! LOL love you, Lisa

P.S.

Thank you to Patti for the bio freeze.Thank you Marcie for the herbs.Thank you girls at A perfect Pair for being you and Thanks Mom for being so supportive and loving.Thanks Karen for taking such loving care of the babies.Look forward to sharing all my experience with you and wearing clean clothes again!! LOL By the way we are 2 of 6 americans on the trail.Most people are in pairs. We have not slept very well.Just cannot seem to get on the time here.It also did not help that there was some kind of festival last night and the partying went on until 2 am.Too tired to join in...Hopefully sleep will come tonight. Donna & Bernie I´m hoping you will have me to dinner mon. night!!! Looking forward to seeing you.Thank you all for commenting.I enjoy reading them! Nancy....You could do this!! We could even bring Mom!!! LOL

Day 3

Hi everyone, well day 3 is over. We started the day off on a good foot.The scenery is awesome.The path was lined with wild heather and yellow wild flowers.Blackberries are in abundance! The vistas are a wonderful contrast of wheat and green colors. We had fresh eggs and coffee early and headed about 11 miles out.Stopped for lunch in Melide.Famous for their pulpo.octopus.Absolutely wonderful!! The last 6 miles were pretty tough.Lots of hills! I have nice new blisters on my feet and have actually considered leaving them! my feet that is.It was a quiet and reflective day.You could hear the forest talk to you.The wind was a whipping and I can´t quite get the dirt from out of my ears! I am at this very moment enjoying a gin & tonic and cig. so life is good.Can´t wait to get to santiago and dump my sneakers and clothes! Can´t wait to feel what it will be like to get to the end.I think the message of today was no matter how tough life gets you will prosper in the end.Just keep on keeping on and god will reward you in due time.....That said....next time i mention vacation make sure the word cruise is in the same sentence!! LOL The path is pretty well marked.So all is well on the camino. Adios my dear friends and family! Love,Lisa

Bien Camino my friends

This is the first time i have found a computer.Everything is in spanish so bear with me.The camino is amazing. I do not know where to begin.Deb and I had a brilliant time in Leon with Judith and Pepe.Could not have eaten or drank more if we wanted to.Judith is warm,smart and could not have been more generous to us.
the camino has literally been an awesome up hill battle.We have fared wonderfully! It is not club med nor for the faint hearted! It has literally been up hill for 2 days. We have met 2 wonderful girls from ireland and have enjoyed their company immensely! Evelyn and aine.
tomorrow we have another 16 miles to go but the path is pretty even! Food is fabulous and the wine is better! 3 euro for a bottle!!! I may never come home!! But if I have to wash another pair of undies I just might scream!! LOL I miss you all and I want you to know how amazing this has been so far. The people,the scenery,the Camino...... No blisters,no fatigue! We are great! Hey Kimber....shorts are a life saver.Love to all our friends and family who are with us every day in thoughts and prayer. Lisa P.S. judith gave me cooking lessons so save your appetites!!!!

What I know for sure!

I so agree with debbie.We are where we are when we are suppose to be.There are no accidents.I do not believe in chance.
Deb and I are walking the camino because we are meant to.The day we went to the buddhist temple in Tampa and talked about this journey was not by chance. Our reuniting to walk was all part of a bigger picture.
I believe that the camino calls you.I believe in destiny.I believe in living in the here and now.
I know for sure that our journey will be safe and enlightening.
I know we will need a long hot bath and the 15 pub/tapas crawl to shed the dust and blisters of our journey!!! LOL A path well worn by weary pilgrims from all over the world! We are just two more that the camino has called....it will tell us why. This I know for sure!
Bien Camino! Lisa

P.S. I can't ever remember them featuring backpacks in vogue as a fashion statement...Now I know why!! Thank you Annie & chrissie for mine. Definately not an accessory I will be keeping! I don't even think you can bling it up!! LOL

Wrong turns?

You know sometimes you have to wonder when you make a wrong turn if that isn't the way you were suppose to go. That you will see something spectacular, learn something new or you might have made the wrong turn to avoid being in an accident.  Some people have said that they were late for work on 9-11 because they had a horrible morning that caused them to run late.  I guess my point is that we will never know how the wrong turns in our life effect us but I do believe they lead us to where we are suppose to be . I believe all the wrong turns in my life have shaped who I am and I am grateful .  So when you are having a bad day- remember it could be the best day of your life!  Deb