Spain, Camino Del Norte: Day 12.14 Balboa and Bilboa-Portugulete

Urban jungle walking

So what am I to lean here? Unlike most due to a head injury the military I don’t have a visual memory. I can’t see pictures in my head. I walk and I can only see what’s in front of me, as I walk I try to generate thought but I have difficulty so I just try to enjoy the here and now. Yes I’m having trouble enjoying this concrete but as I am tempted to nip this stage as it is literally hell on heelsperricus I am reminded that maybe it’s a lesson in patience. As I travel the endless kilometers and miles of urban concrete and industrial sceanery I am reminded of progress and without these industries we would have less jobs and less progress.

Find the good in everything even the things that we perceive to be ugly. I just try to enjoy the moment. The cool breezes pushing me forward to my next day stop. I enjoy the urban art… graffiti to some bit poetic and forms of rebellion to others. It is a part of life a part of this Camino experience. I take a break in a small urban park across the river more than half way to Portuguelete. It’s cold but the sun is shining cars and trucks zipping by. I rest my aching back . I feel cyborg turtle burning on my left leg and heelsperricus aching on my right but I am ok just happy to be able to walk today. The new strap is holding so far and it’s a nice day to walk .

But this concrete really takes it out of you more so than the hills hahah. Maybe not sure which is worse. I stopped for coffee and use the facilities earlier and the people were so nice. I bought some Aquarius Lemon for electrolytes and got some water and the owner gave me free mini muffins just because I was a pilgrim. This gave me a boost along with sitting in the park. Yes I took the les glamorous route and no I didn’t rush but I was rewarded with muffins and the bridge.