Departure Day Is Here

The time has arrived.

From Pittsford to Rochester Intl airport
Linda and I are taking Zeke for a walk along the canal by her house before we head out.
Enjoying a cup of coffee at Linda's before we head out to take me to the airport.
The family (  Mom,  Jaime, Jayden, me, Adriana and Carlos )
Mom and Linda
Linda and I as she wishes me a Buen Camino.

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At the Philidelphia international airport USO lounge.  They are a great organization ... Free sandwiches,  drinks,  snacks,  bunks,  etc. All to make travel a little easier for military and former military.  I give generously. ... And don't you know that I left my tablet on a table,  but the good folks at the USO returned it.

Next up is the fight to Madrid. Been nervous for the past 24 hours. Will be nervous until my feet hit the ground in Calzada de Bejar, Castile y Leon and my camino begins again.

Knowing that Linda is a kindred spirit who also desires to experience the awe and mystery of the Camino de Santiago, I look forward to our planned camino in 2017. It is a very different feeling this time. On my other phases, I left a solitary pilgrim and returned a solitary pilgrim. This time I left a good woman in Rochester ... and I will return to a good woman. In ways I can not yet imagine, this camino will be with a more fulfilled soul and spirit than my previous journeys.

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The flight to Madrid was fine. No issues whatsoever. Also cleared Immigration and Customs quite quickly. And pleasantly my bag arrived this time, that is to say my hiking bag made it to the airport also. Caught a taxi to the bus station. That was good. And after a pleasant ride where I slept some more, I arrived in the town of Bejar.

I grabbed my hiking pack and knocked out the 6 miles to my first stop of the trip, Calzada de Bejar.

Made it to the hostel  And am relaxing. Ready for a shower. Not much to report on the hike. That was fine also. Just ready to enjoy some relaxation. Will post some pictures later.