I’m sitting here in the cool, clean Estella public library. It’s beautiful… they have incorporated gothic pillars– and I’m sure they are genuine– into an ultramodern design, very striking. I was just blessed by the priest in the church with the view you see above in a small group of 10 pilgrims. I was the only American, as I often am, and was so glad that I worked up the courage to go.
I wanted to pass this blessing on to you. Most of my readers are friends old and new, near and far. Your reading this means so much to me. Traveling alone is so much a matter of attitude, and seeing your remarks and comments make me feel like your spirits are on the road with me.
The blessing was quite personal. The village priest took our names and had a short conversation with all of us. Then we took pictures, right there in the cathedral smack in the middle of mass, as a group. I was thinking of friends and the problems we all face as I was walking. I came upon a ruined church in the countryside
with an alter where people had written their hopes, dreams, and why they were walking… eerie, lovely and strange. We are creatures who suffer, but also rejoice.
Estella is a good time town. If I could, I would have you all to the meal I had over an extended two hour lunch in the square. Even the town’s motto is about eating: midieval foodies! A quarter bottle white wine (Navarra chardonnnay), water, the appetizer, melon with Serrano ham,
then lamb stew with big red roasted pimento peppers, and a cake with caramel and a honey drizzle for dessert (14 E). The cake was for Scott’s birthday, which I missed.
Life is full of troubles, but pleasures too. The words of the blessing card I got from the priest end with “so that we may reach the end of our journey stregnthened with gratitude and power, secure and filled with happiness. I with that for you.
Yum camino, Suzanne
Saltworkstudio | Suzanne Edminster 
Indeed, I look forward to each of your adventures. It’s an extraordinary respite to my common day, a bit of bittersweet for the soul. Thank you, Suzanne, for your eloquence & positive nature. xo Max
LikeLike
I’m glad you went through the trouble to feed iPadZilla so we can stay in your digital pocket.
LikeLike
Stacey, you have no idea. My weird setup of the Iphone on a Gorrillapod bendy leg tripod and then typing on a wireless folding keyboard has attracted a lot of attention. I feel like the Silicon Valley Pilgrim!
LikeLike
Wonderful blessing: “so that we may reach the end of our journey stregnthened with gratitude and power, secure and filled with happiness. I with that for you.”
As are we all also there with you!
LikeLike
Just fab to read your posts Suzanne, straight from the heart, wonderful. My sister was a pilgrim on this path 15 or so years ago. Seeing your beautiful photographs is captivating – each one is a work of art, and I love the plate of food and glass of wine at the end of each day!
LikeLike
Your journey is truly amazing. I have been following it daily. I admire what you are doing, and LOVE seeing the pictures. It truly feels like we are on this journey with you – so you need not feel alone. Wish Scott a Happy Belated Birthday. Hopefully, he had cake that looked as good as yours.
LikeLike
Thank you so much, Suzanne, for the blessing of feeling that we are walking with you. I find your words and your images moving and inspiring. And so insightful. Just the Camino I would have loved to have done. and am doing! thanks to you.
LikeLike
I love reading your travel log and seeing the photos, thanks for taking the time to share with us back home.
Blessings, Satri
LikeLike
I so enjoy reading your words and seeing the photos, thanks and blessings.
LikeLike
What a wonderful blessing.
LikeLike
In Prague, Jim and I walk everywhere. Our friends, the one we came here with and the ones we’ve met here, are European, and the concept of half a day’s walk to reach a destination is to them not a strange one. I realized just now that perhaps their affinity for travel on foot is due in part to the cultural heritage of the concept of the pilgrimage. In any case, I’ll be carrying that beautiful blessing in my mind when we go on our peregrinations.
LikeLike
What a bonus to have a meal and a blessing via internet! Thanks for including us 🙂
LikeLike
Dear Suzanne,
Such a wonderful adventure you are on!
Following your blog is delicious,
Thank you for giving us a warm glimpse through your eyes. Its a metaphor for living, isn’t it?
Enjoy every moment and step along your way. And return safe and sated.
Wish I were there, maris
LikeLike
We walk with you when we remember your walking 🙂 Mark
LikeLike