A Journey with Sarah Doherty

Linda and I are sitting next to each in a Refugio in Astorga. She is teasing me as usual. We are opening our e-mail together and laughing. Linda is doing well (good attitude and determination), and has mainstreamed into the Camino life style like a true pilgrim. We are easily walking 20kms a day with lots of laughs and breaks. Frau Mueller-Crepon has rearranged our morning schedule: up at 5 and out the door by 6am. In truth, we get a lot of walking in before the Meseta's hot sun soaks out all our energy. Georgina is still with me. She will leave tomorrow for Ponferrada with the other Canadian women we met up with in León. Linda and I will be on our own till Lydia meets up with us in Melide. Franz said good bye in Frómista. He did not want to miss walking the Meseta. I miss Franz's sense of humour and tenderness when things would get tough. More than once, he would stop and pick a bouquet of flowers for Georgina and I when we felt discouraged. I will miss Georgina as much. We spent two and half weeks together (300kms of walking). Tomorrow we head to Rabanal del Camino, about 21kms from Astorga. We are officially in the Cordillera Cantabrica region. The mountains are visible from this city and I'm looking forward to the 1550m climb up to Manjarin in two days and O Cebrerio in 4 days. I do well in the mountains. My pace stays the same and the cool air and beautiful views motivate me forward.
The crutches have proven to be good enough to support me in this long journey, but there is still so much room for improvement. I've been writing a detailed list on specific modifications for the handle and tip. The shock absorption system worked well on both crutches for approx. 200kms, then started humming/sticking and requiring adjustments several times a day. I wish I had my engineer here to help. But, I'm a great tester for the average consumer. In truth, I've broken the darned things twice and fixed them...kind of. The spring/elastomer system is now working well, but everyone and their brother can hear me coming from miles away. I've become the standard joke at night when people put their ear plugs in and say,"snoring and Sarah". I usually get up once a night to......
Life on the Camino is definitely a life away from one's reality. Yet, it is living. I sort of see it as a transparency that can be over-laid over my "real life" at home. Those things that "line up" are aspects of life I can now see clearly and can commit to in a profound and sincere way. The gaps/miss-matches can be contemplated.
I have reluctantly accepted my role as a person who offers inspiration to those who need it. I guess there are many stories; Frodo with the "ring" in the Lord of the Rings, etc. when you really don´t want the role you're obviously given. But, in truth we are all responsible for bringing out the meaning of our lives and perhaps this is my truth. Designing a better crutch to prevent joint destruction may be another reason.