Tuesday, August 22
Walk: 15 miles
Ox Cart: 1.5 miles
77 degrees, rain
We started off the first day with the 5-day pilgrims (almost 100) in the rain. Producers and ISP were monitoring for lightning, which thankfully did not appear during our walk. Eventually, it cleared up but remained overcast and cool. Many of us kept on rain gear for a while because the forecast called for torrential rain ahead of us.
The dynamic of this group, its larger number, was significantly different from the core group. The intimacy was gone but anonymity became possible. I was just another body among many. I ebbed and flowed from front to back as I engaged in conversation or needed to change pace. There was less pressure to perform to an external standard. New pilgrims, knowing no differently, were on and off the ox cart to rest or to seek foot care.
Meanwhile, I was drenched with sweat because wonderfully water-resistant ponchos by definition don't breathe. So, due to new group culture, I had no second thoughts about boarding the ox cart to remove my poncho and air out my feet and clothing. My feet were blessedly relieved for the break.
Although my spirit felt more relaxed, my body felt more stressed. For the first time, I had the urge to skip daily Mass and dinner. I might have done exactly that, except both were on the Culver Academies campus where Bob used to work and teach. The campus was so beautiful and the administration so welcoming that I'm glad I didn't stay behind.
Walk: 15 miles
Ox Cart: 1.5 miles
77 degrees, rain
We started off the first day with the 5-day pilgrims (almost 100) in the rain. Producers and ISP were monitoring for lightning, which thankfully did not appear during our walk. Eventually, it cleared up but remained overcast and cool. Many of us kept on rain gear for a while because the forecast called for torrential rain ahead of us.
The dynamic of this group, its larger number, was significantly different from the core group. The intimacy was gone but anonymity became possible. I was just another body among many. I ebbed and flowed from front to back as I engaged in conversation or needed to change pace. There was less pressure to perform to an external standard. New pilgrims, knowing no differently, were on and off the ox cart to rest or to seek foot care.
Meanwhile, I was drenched with sweat because wonderfully water-resistant ponchos by definition don't breathe. So, due to new group culture, I had no second thoughts about boarding the ox cart to remove my poncho and air out my feet and clothing. My feet were blessedly relieved for the break.
Although my spirit felt more relaxed, my body felt more stressed. For the first time, I had the urge to skip daily Mass and dinner. I might have done exactly that, except both were on the Culver Academies campus where Bob used to work and teach. The campus was so beautiful and the administration so welcoming that I'm glad I didn't stay behind.
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