From Najera to Santo Domingo de la Calzado (20 km + 5 km)

I do not sleep well and wake up early. Every morning when I get up I lift myself very slowly to find out if my feet still carry me. My feet - my most humble servants as Bryan Kest our LA Yoga teacher always says.  I need to be kind to my toes, my feet and my body to let me hike today.

In my 6 m2 hostel room I try to get organized for what is coming today. Finally the packing ceremony. With energy and earlier than other days I start my way. Today the first 2 km go straight up a hill.

DonT let this picture fool you: the incline is more challenging than my guide book says. On top of the mountain it strikes me like a flash - where is my wallet? Immediately my backpack flies off my back and I start searching - shoot,nits not here!  I must have left it on the bed in my hostel. I think about my options and come to the conclusion that I have to go back immediately. It is funny running down the hill when so many other pilgrims start into the other directions. Some of them give.
 me that ' you are walking into the wrong direction' look. Back at the hostel the door was closed. The reception only opens at 8 am. I am walking around the building spotting my room where I left a
window open - no, climbing up with my legs is not an option.

Suddenly the door opens - a late riser from Brazil is packed for the day and let's me in. My room door is open as I left my room key as instructed upon check in on my table. And through up the bed sheets - and there it was: my wallet. Relieved I now start the recline of the mountain. Somewhat a waste of time, but at least with all my belongings.

On top of the mountain a similar 'flash' strikes me again: I now know why I am doing this pilgrimage. I am extremely thankful for the phantastic life I had so far. Yes there have been very sad moments, foremost the death of my father, my stepfather and Sigrid, who died much too early. But I always had a family which loves me unconditional - spear headed by my mother - the great fighter for her kids. It was her destiny to give us the chance of education and development of our choice and she succeeded completely even being a single mom. I had a wonderful childhood spending most of my spare time in my grandparents farm which was only 2 km from our home. I am thankful for my reports, colleagues and customers who always respect me in my crusade to get to a win-win situation for all. I am thankful for the time I spent with Sigrid traveling the world - nobody can take that away! And of course I am thankful for YOU following my blog everyday.

Charged with happy hormones I feel that my legs don't hurt anymore and that I can make it to the destination of he day - Santo Domingo de la Calzada!