Thursday, December 24, 2009

Little Update

I've reached the Black Sea. My planning estimates were rather low - I underestimated the distance to Sudak by nearly 300 km, but I'm less than a week behind schedule and should have no trouble making it to Patras by Easter, which was my target. No worries. Finding accommodation is still the greatest challenge, but I've worked out the keys - the priests and the shop-ladies and haven't been caught out. The food hasn't been to my liking much, well, I haven't asked for any recipes, let's say. The wine is pretty atrocious - they gave the recipe to Vicks and Vicks improved on it for their cough medicine. Sweet, thick, and made from cherries. Yeah, and they call it wine. No where to go but up. I'm about 25% of the way to Patras. They claim a relic of St Andrew in the last town I stayed in. Nearly all people I meet are surprised and impressed that a pilgrim would undertake such a journey. I haven't had any untoward experiences, nothing frightening at all. I've managed in the terrible weather to make about a dozen watercolors so far, but haven't found the means to scan them or have someone photograph them and transfer the files to the net. I'm working on it. I would like to have made more watercolors, but mostly it's been a weather thing; also, the days are pretty short, so I walk from dawn to dusk and don't find many places to sit down and paint. Now the days will be getting longer, and as I walk westward, the sun will set a bit later, too. Pilgrim life is grand.

6 comments:

Margaret Meredith said...

Dear Anne,

My husband and I have been following your blog with great interest and admiration. We wish you all the best for both Christmases and the New Year!

As we each continue to follow our Caminos may I share with
you this lovely prayer from Santa Maria de Eunate

"May the way open to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
May the rain fall softly upon your fields,
And, until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hand."

May all pilgrims go in peace and good will.

Sincerely,

Meredith

PS I start again January 6 for the 6th time!

Anonymous said...

Anna, I just read your update...you are funny...I bet what you have been drinking is moonshine with cherries. It doesn't sound like you have been eating varenyky lately!

About the distance--does it mean it's 3700 kms?

I like the prayer MargaretMeredith sent you!

With you in spirit, Nadja
PS - sent your "hello" for the Thursday nite gang.

Ukiefriend said...

Anna, so you are in Sudak!!! Yeay! As you say, it will get easier heading west. Have a very Merry Christmas...Walk on...St. Andrew is watching over you!

OHMV said...

Merry Christmas Angel!

Anonymous said...

Dear Ann,
I know you aren't celebrating Christmas until January this yaer but I just wanted to let you know we are thinking about you ( I'm at the Fazio's tonight) and we wish you a Merry Christmas. Take care.
Love, Aunt Vickie

Susan "Backpack45" Alcorn said...

Hi Anne,
We just discovered your blog--just in time for me to wish you Merry Christmas. Actually considering the time zones, it may be the 26th--even so...
Enjoying reading your entries; I admire your positive attitude and your sheer grit!
Buen Camino,
Susan Alcorn
Oakland, California