Day 4 Love on Cebreiro

One of my favourite places to stay on the Camino is Fonfria. Angela, the owner is in my documentary film, Las Peregrinas. She was a brand new business women at that time and has just opened her Albergue Reboleira. 

Cebreiro is very special to me. It was on this mountain that I experienced a profound shift in my ability to connect with universal love. I tell the story of My Miracle on Cebreiro in the book My Camino. I especially love walking this mountain barefoot which I did most of the day. 

For several years I have brought sacred sage with me so that I can offer to do a smudge on the mountain for the pilgrims in my group. This day, the group gathered in a circle to protect me as I struggled a bit trying to light the safe in the wind. Once we got it lot, I blew the flame out so the smoke could be used to smudge. 

I explained that the group should face the east, just as the sun was rising, and once they had been smudged it would be a good time to thank the Creator by saying Miigwech Creator. This was taught to me my Sherry Lawson, a dear friend who is from an Ojibway First Nations Tribe in Camada. The ritual was truly a precious moment for all. Miigwech Creator.  

Today I met a pilgrim on her second Camino, named Inge from Belgium. She found my bookmark for My Camino at an Albergue last year. She contacted me to find out how to lead a group and asked if I could agree with her. She has a beautiful group of women walking with her. What a delight it was to meer her at the Albergue in Fronfria that day. 

Throughout the day i walked barefoot as much as I could. I was feeling a lot of pain from a split in my skin that had got infected. One of the pilgrims Jan suggested I try her Oil of Oregano and I did. That day I placed Sorrow Stones for my family and friends. I also left 5 intentions from the list of requests I had. 

The weather was warm and the smell of cow dung permeated everything. Fortunately, I no longer find it to be repulsive. Instead the smell brings back good memories of walking the Camino. And following yellow arrows reminds me of my first Camino in the winter of 2001. 

Mireya!

Sue 

@barebottomshoes

My Camino Book

www.suekenney.ca

Day 2 Barefooting a Bit

Today we walked from Cacabelos to Trabadelo. We stopped for the best Cafe con Leche at Arroyo. I met Victor, the owner a few years ago when he worked at the Albergue next it the church in Cacabelos. He drove our group to his restaurant and we had the most amazing meal. He is now building his own Albergue which should be finished in September. He is only 2 kms from Cacabelos. I recommend you check it out if you are on the Camino Frances after September 2015. 

I find I am still getting used to the terrain and wear my Demi-soled Barebottoms a lot. They give me the same feeling as being barefoot, only the ball of my foot is protected. I had the design in my mind for about a year. It was only because I got a very bad infection in a cut on the sole of my foot, that I made them for the Camino. I didn't think I would be able to walk barefoot at all. Thanks to this design  I'm getting all the benefits of being barefoot, with some protection. They are made of neoprene with a thick leather demi-sole that only covers the ball of the foot. This is the part of the foot that takes the most wear when Barefooting since we tend to have a mid-foot strike. The heels and toes are still bare. They are a perfect shoe to introduce people to Barefooting or for experienced walkers and runners who need some coverage die to long distance Barefooting. 

They also fit under my minimalist shoes and ask as a 'sock' that keeps my feet in place so they don't move around, creating friction and possible blisters. 

I ended up doing about 5kms barefoot today. Many people are curious about why I am waking barefoot. It's a great opportunity to introduce others to it. Can't wait for tomorrow!

Camino Sue

@barebottomshoes