Coming to a close

Hi Folks: Next Thursday I will reach St. Jean Pied de Port, the last stage of the Vezelay route. Because it will be the middle of September, thqat does not give me enough time to continue onthrough Spain. What I will do insteqd is return to the USA, and plan to return next year to walk the Camino Frances through Spain. This has been an exciting yet very challenge in journey and a break before continuing on through Spain will give me time to reflect on this past journey and do some debriefing. I have met some folks along the way who have travelled from their home conutires (Holland and Belgium) and are continuing on to Copostella. There are slightly older and like most folks on the road to compostella qre retired or between jobs and able to take the necessary " months. In fact the majority of the people who make the pilgrimage to Compostella are in their 60's & 70's. I am currently in Mont de Marsan and have 6 more stages to complete. Physically I have held up rather well, but over the past week, I have developed a couple of blisters (one on each foot) which make walking a bit uncomfortable. I count myself as quite fortunate since most people develop thier blisters within the first week. Today is a rest day and I am using it to nurse my feet, do internet communication and try to make arrangements for my return to the States. I am so thankful thq God haq allowed me to hqve this experience: it hqs been once of both physical and spiritual challenge. There have also been the emotional challenges of spending long days alone either walking through poruing rain, or blistering heat. One of things that I have missed the most is music. I learned some songs at Taize that served as pryqers along the way, and their were some words to songs that I placed o index cards to sing and pray along the way. However, ther were some days that the I just wanted to hear or sing somthing else, especially since the Taize songs are quite short and the words that I could remember from my others were limited. When I just needed something else for a change of pace and help me get through those last few kilometers, there was Bon Jovi's "Living on a Prayer!" This pilrimqge has been a blessing and I look forward to shqring it with you. Blessigns, Marcelle