There were a couple of factors working against us for today’s walk. First, was the weather. It was a gloomy day, cold and gray with a prediction of rain. We’ve enjoyed the rain, as it offers a reprieve from the scorching sun, but we were unprepared for rain today because of the second speed bump. We’d washed all of our laundry and none of our clothes had dried, leaving us with one outfit each and none of our warmer layers. Finally, Addie didn’t seem up for walking.
We set out and walked as far as Azofra (6 kilometers away) and we did enjoy our morning walk. We stopped for breakfast before leaving Najera, and enjoyed taking some silly photos.
We walked through more vineyards on a lovely path, and when we reached Azofra, we were feeling good. It was tough to make the call to taxi when we wanted to keep walking, but it was 10 kilometers to the next town, and we were sure we would get a couple kilometers out and regret it. We were met with some judgment for opting to taxi, but ultimately we chose to walk the Camino with kids, and their comfort comes first. (Although I don’t think it is necessary to suffer every step even without kids).
As if to confirm our decision, the rain started coming down about a minute after we got into our taxi.
We checked into our hotel in Santo Domingo and took a lazy rest day. We watched the movie “The Way” with Addie and she pointed out all of the things she has seen on her trip. We were surprised at just how much of this trip she’s absorbed. The other day, she was playing with her toy cars and she had one of them announce “I’m going to Roncesvalles” (with impeccable pronunciation.
It was a needed rest day, and tomorrow will likely be a rest day, as well. We tried to book a second night in Santo Domingo, but the prices go up, and we would have had to rearrange all of our prebooked accommodation, as we’ve booked rooms until Burgos. We are booked in Belorado tomorrow, but it remains to be seen how we will get there.
Good call . A little rest will make the next days feel better. You have already come a long way down some horrific trails to push a stroller ! I doubt the stroller was built for this type of terrain and abuse and I am sure your muscles aches are feeling it .
I am sure I am not alone in saying how much I look forward to reading your blog. We miss all of you and are with you in spirit, slogging up those hills❤ Such a unique adventure you are on.
You have to do what is right for your little family and ignore anyone who judges. What kind of person does that anyway? Have as many rest days as you would like, this is YOUR camino, it makes my day reading your blog whatever you decide to do on any particular day. Go, girls go!
I echo Jeanne’s comments on the judgy people. There will always be a peregrinos taking a tougher approach than another. Those judging a taxi are likely wearing good quality footwear. Well, isn’t that ‘cheating’! A true peregrino would wear sandals they crafted themselves AND at Santiago, would have turned around and trudged back to their hometown….not taken plane, train or automobile home. Wouldn’t it be cool if the Camino somehow managed to erase that ‘I’m better than you’ outlook so common amongst so many?
In all likelihood these folks are zealous because you’ve one upped them by including your darling girls.
Just remember all the smiles you and the family have received along the way. Your strength and determination will be remembered by more pilgrims than those who are so self righteous.
Hugs & kisses
Was wondering the other day just how much Addie would remember. Sounds like she actually might remember bits of her camino. Regardless she is learning to travel, to be resilient, to accept help when kindly offered, to be flexible, to be close to family, to socialise, to communicate regardless of language, to share, to rely on the power of her own feet to carry her over surprising distances, to be strong, to cope with change, to enjoy being out in nature in all sorts weather and lots more besides. Whats a short taxi ride compared to all this? Your camino, your way. Buen camino pequeña familia de peregrinas.
A rest day is always good. And being judged is not important, especially when people don’t know who you are or what you’re going through. Sounds like you made a great decision for you all.
Addie is getting such an experience here! I can’t wait to hear all her stories.