The day after the day I didn't know what day it was... Actually I think it is one more day after that.

I was thinking about the blog today and how I was going to start it, so I will give you a few of the options as I just couldn't decide.

1) Darty's got her groove back! (There has only been one person who called me Darty, however most of Grahams friends called him that, in truth I kinda always wanted that nickname but it just didn't stick!)

2) I finally get why people do this

3) I got shit on today

4) Slowly but surely gratitude is creeping its way into my life.

Now I'm sure you read those options and there is perhaps one that sticks out the most? I will start with that to ease your curiosity. You're welcome.

It all started yesterday my friends, dad and I started out walking, a relatively "short" day (18k or so) and it was the first day I could walk with very little pain from my blisters. It was amazing. One of the things I have come to realize is walking sticks are not for pretentious nor douchy people, they actually do work and work wonders at that! I borrowed my mom's set and holy jeeze did it ever help on the incline and decline specifically, but also helped me keep a rhythm while walking which kept me to a decent pace. Anyway, I digress, what you want to know is how I got shit on. After the long day my dad and I were relaxing on a patio drinking some sangria, after trying and failing to find a sports shop that may have had walking poles (I think that's where I was going with the walking stick thing... (I've already had two rather powerfully large sangrias so this may be a bit disjointed)) Eating croquettas and remarking on why people of Europe choose to dress their children exactly alike when BOOM! Out of nowhere all of a sudden I feel something warm and gooey on my head running down my forehead. For those of you who have yet to have a bird take a giant dump on you let me explain the thought process and eventual acceptance of what just happened.
       - Oh my God what just landed on me and why is it warm??
       - Look over to the person sitting next you, see if they are experiencing the same level   of perplexity - they REALLY aren't
       - All of a sudden you realize there are chunky bits on your sunglasses and can feel liquid running down your forehead.
       - FREEZE
       - Out loud "Oh. My. God. Ohmygodohmygodohmygod". Get it off! Getitoffgetitoffgetitoff!!!
       -Resist the urge to run away, also resist the urge to hurl, it will be very prevalent at this point
       -Look at your dad with what will probably the most pathetic and helpless expression you have ever given him and let him wipe off all the crap from your hair and face. AND pants.
       - Still try not to hurl.
       - Once you are cleaned up try and reconcile what just happened, there will be feelings of violation, shock, anger and eventually, EVENTUALLY hilarity.

I have to give my dad props on this one as he conducted himself with great decorum and only let out one or 2 laughs mid bird-shit-cleaning-up-event. After a couple minutes I was reminded of a comment left on one of my posts by a family friend who did the camino with her dad a couple months ago. It was on their last day, slogging along to Santiago in the pouring rain when a truck went through a puddle splashing the poor girl, while her mouth was open, soaking her from head to toe. Well, her dad and the other 2 people who where walking with him thought this was just the highest level of hilarity and made it be known! Well Leanne, I think you may have started a saying, this was my equivalent of being splashed by a puddle I think, so I'm sure for the rest of the trip if anything goes wrong, well, we were just splashed by a puddle! I suppose I should add in closing to this little story, we went out for dinner at an Italian place that night, and (after a few drinks...) my mother just had to bring the proprietor in on the story, who happened to be Italian, and of course his response was "Oh that is good luck!! It is lucky to be you! But you don't look so happy..." I told him I have never been crapped on before and was still in a bit of shock. He just laughed and then gave me a sucker he gives to all the other pouty children. I am going to be milking this whole luck thing for as long as I can! Perhaps it's working already, today when we got to the hotel I wanted some candy out of the vending machine and TWO came out instead!

Now that tale has been told I can just tie the rest in to one blurb. I feel I got my groove back from the first day as I can now finally walk at my normal pace without searing pain from my toes, and that in turn has made me feel a whole other level of gratitude. Walking, it's not hard, something we all do every day and just take it for granted. But when you have to walk 25k in pain, then a few days later you are pain free?!?! MIND BLOWING!! Of course this is coming with just two more days of walking, but that's okay I'll take it. Now my mind is off my feet I am finally really able to absorb and appreciate my surroundings! How the sun filters through the tree tops, how the water sounds flowing down the hillside forming mini waterfalls. All the little things, there's a whole world out there when you look up from the path you are taking!

So yes, I finally get why people do this. When they can just walk along, taking in the world, chatting with people, sampling the grapes from the vines by the path... My only question is why WOULDN'T you do this?! It definitely is a different kind of travelling, I don't think I would necessarily put it in the category of "holiday", but perhaps more of "experiencing the country". You work very hard every day and are rewarded far more greatly by the blessings which are presented to you. A stranger offering their beautiful oranges from a tree, unexpected treats which come with your coffee, someone stopping to offer directions when you are lost, and of course of course, just being able to walk. Gratitude!

Dart the Younger