The area is becoming more farmland, with small towns every once in awhile. We stopped for breakfast at a panaderia. The day was sunny and became very hot quickly. We were laughing and talking the whole time. It was so sunny that we were very tired when we arrived in Estrella. We found new sunscreen and blister packs, a new hat for David and a great dinner on the river in the old part of the city.
At mass the priest gave a special pilgrim prayer to us.
1 comment:
Repost comment from Uncle James years ago:
Wow, what a journey, and what a challenge. Somehow, I think the two are meant be intertwined, to make the pilgrimage whole. You have all our thoughts, and all our prayers.
I would like to share with you my favorite poem of all time.
Ithaca
When you start on your journey to Ithaca,
then pray that the road is long,
full of adventure, full of knowledge.
Do not fear the Lestrygonians
and the Cyclopes and the angry Poseidon.
You will never meet such as these on your path, if your thoughts remain lofty, if a fine
emotion touches your body and your spirit.
You will never meet the Lestrygonians,
the Cyclopes and the fierce Poseidon,
if you do not carry them within your soul,
if your soul does not raise them up before you.
Then pray that the road is long.
That the summer mornings are many,
that you will enter ports seen for the first time with such pleasure, with such joy!
Stop at Phoenician markets,
and purchase fine merchandise,
mother-of-pearl and corals, amber and ebony,
and pleasurable perfumes of all kinds,
buy as many pleasurable perfumes as you can;
visit hosts of Egyptian cities,
to learn and learn from those who have knowledge.
Always keep Ithaca fixed in your mind.
To arrive there is your ultimate goal.
But do not hurry the voyage at all.
It is better to let it last for long years;
and even to anchor at the isle when you are old, rich with all that you have gained on the way,
not expecting that Ithaca will offer you riches.
Ithaca has given you the beautiful voyage.
Without her you would never have taken the road.
But she has nothing more to give you.
And if you find her poor, Ithaca has not defrauded you.
With the great wisdom you have gained, with so much experience,
you must surely have understood by then what Ithacas mean.
-K. P. Kavafis (C. P. Cavafy), translation by Rae Dalven
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