Ups & Downs on the Camino

    I´ve found internet access in the bar at Monjardin (mountain garden), and the view from here is spectacular.  There have been many spectacular views over the past few days, but a climb up a mountain was required for each.  This one was relative easy compared with two days ago.  But now I´m settled into the Alberque in this tiny village, my laundry is done, my feet are still moving, and finally I can write.
    Too much to tell in one blog so I´ll start with last night at Cirauqui, a town that I entered on one level, then proceeded up, up, up, to the Alberque on the upper level.  To give you an idea of the incline, I had an apple in my pack, but as I was putting things in it just outside the Alberque this morning, the apple dropped out.  It immediately rolled to the edge of the plaza (we were right across from the church).  I saw (and heard) it turn and continue down the street.  I knew it might go for a while, but I looked for it as I walked out of town.  Four downhill streets later I still hadn´t seen it.  I figure it took about 5 minutes for it to roll all the way to the entrance to the village at the bottom.  I´m sure there´s a metaphor in this, everything that happens on the Camino seems to be a metaphor, but it hasn´t come to me yet.
    But let me mention my great appreciation for the elderly women of Spain.  I´ve noticed them since the beginning, out walking with canes, hair done, dressed lovely.  I´ve seen many in wheel chair with a companion either walking them or sitting with them out in the sun.  In Cirauqui there was a funeral at the church at 6:30 last night to celebrate the lives of 3 elderly women who had recently died.  Our dinner time was changed out of respect for the families.  The mercato and other shops did not open at 6:00 as usual due to the funeral.  At 6:00 the church bells started ringing.  (They were very loud - remember, I´m staying right beside the church on the other side of a small plaza).  People started coming out and walking towards the church.  At 6:15 the bells rang again and more people started moving towards the church.  As I walked around I saw women in the 80´s and 90´s slowly making their way up the steeply inclined streets (so steep I used the steps on the side of the streets).  Steadily and surely they walked.  I figured if they could live in a village where walking up steep inclines was a daily task, I could probably continue making the climbs necessary for the Camino.  They are beautiful, strong women.
    But I have found that just about everyone I have met has been lovely.  Spain is a beautiful country with very gracious people who have helped me through questions, directions, meal orders and more. 
   That´s all for now.  It´s 4:00 and time to ¨check in ¨to the Alberque.  I do miss everyone, but I am loving my walk on the Camino.  Bueno Camino!