Varaire: walk with your pains…
Leaving Cajarc was easy, but I stopped to read my map. I just wanted to be sure. I passed by the doors of the beautiful church that was in front of my window last night. Cajarc is in a valley, therefore I was expecting a brutal ascending soon, and there it was. Cecile decided to wear her flip flops, yeah! I think she was laughing of everybody. How can she do that? Any way, I have discovered that it is not about the shoes, the cloths or the fancy equipment for hiking, it is all about attitude! The attitude we have in life to overcome any pain or obstacle. This is innate in us, and I do not understand with some people reach for it their whole life. I believed it needs to be exercised. As any human skill.
The region that I covered today was desolate. A fungus infection in the 1800’s killed all there grape vines. People moved away. Now there is gold! It is truffle territory. A pound of truffles can cost $2500 dollars. But as in every business, there is a mafia behind. The local grocery owners told me that not everyone can search for them. It is exclusively owned, and you must inherit the land. The area was humid, perfect for fungi. All the trees were covered in moss as the rocks. It looked like a fantasy land of fairies.
I got a room in a local “gite” in Varaire. I prepared myself my dinner, a chicken sandwich. After going for groceries at the local village. I got turmeric in powder to help me with the inflammation on my left ankle. I just put it in water and my food.
I met Harry from London, and Elizabeth from Germany today. Harry offered me some pomade for the inflammation, and it worked instantly. It is call the “Baume du Pelerins”. I am sure I am going to buy couple tubes at the next village. Elizabeth and I were in the kitchen preparing dinner together. She has been doing the Camino from Germany, and she likes to work to pay her room, but southern France culture has not been helping her. She asked if I had any sweets. I told her, of course, I have fig cookies. She thank me the whole night for it. Her feet were in bad shape, therefore she socked them in warm water and cooking salt.
My routine when I arrived to the “gite” is simple: 1. Take a shower, 2. Wash dirty cloths. 3. Eat, and 4. SPA your feet with everything you have: olive oil, arnica, analgesic, massage then deeply.
Tomorrow is going to be a long day to Cohors, 32 kms. I will start at 6:00am. Good night!