Half a rest day day at Torres del Rio

Yesterday while walking, a niggle in my knee turned into a sore hip, so I decided to walk only 8km to Torres del Rio and take a break to give my body some time to recover. It was a pleasant and easy walk and I almost felt guilty for stopping so early. But stop I did, found a bed at Casa Maria, and relaxed by listening to Mahler on my ipod and later to Jesus of Nazareth by Benedict 16 - an audiobook I downloaded before I left SA. After lunch I thought about some of the walkers on the camino.

There is the click-click brigade, walking with 2 sticks which go click with each step. Head forward they march on relentlessly and woe betide man or beast who get in their way. Then there is the Asian Gore-tex brigade - covered head to toe in high tech garments. No ray of sun shall sully their pristine skin, no breath of foreign air will damage their lungs.They walk and rest, walk and rest focussed on their destination. Always smilling and happy to greet everyone.

The young guys walk in packs with huge backpacks and endless energy. Then there are the insouciant women - young and carefree, talking nonstop and walking faster than anyone. Today I met a lot of day-tripping Brits - no backpack and pale knees peeking out of their shorts. They march along at fierce pace while a taxi carries their luggage. You will see the young couples, often with the husband carrying a big pack and the wife lagging behind. Then there are the hobblers- feet full of blisters or tendons in pain. Dragging their feet along and getting the pity of all the walkers and advice from everyone else. Often a sense of -there by the grace of God go I. Several time you meet a snooty Frenchy who just ignores you. Better are the early birders - with big packs they are up before the crack of dawn, disturbing the sleepers in the dorm as they get ready to leave at 5.00am. They hare off to the next destination and then collapse on their beds in exhaustion.

I enjoy the wrinkly warriors - often well trained Germans - they set a hard pace and leave the rest of us younger ones to shame. Then there are the free spirits who wander along vaguely, always ready for a long chat. They wear all types of gear with a smile. But they will avoid the German hordes who march off in the distance - must reach the albergue now, Ja!

And in the midst of all this, I am proudly South African - a little bit of this and a little bit of that.

Adios for today.