<HTML><FONT FACE=arial,helvetica><FONT SIZE=2>Maryjane - wise words and they made me smile. I had decided before I left
<BR>that I was not going to add more weight to what I was carrying by being
<BR>hell-bent on walking every step. I remember stepping on that bus and
<BR>watching the meseta go by, and yes, for a moment, I regretted taking the bus.
<BR> But when I arrived in Santiago, I met all those wonderful people whom I fell
<BR>in love with and whom were must faster than I. I knew then that I would have
<BR>missed them, and many other experiences, if I would have walked. Not to
<BR>mention the fact that I don't think I could have walked, as my heel is what
<BR>finally made the decision for me. Now I know I will return to walk the
<BR>meseta in the moonlight as I originally planned.
<BR>
<BR>I shouldn't have used the word "cheated." I don't feel that I cheated. I
<BR>feel I walked a very long path and experienced the Camino as it was intended.
<BR> I have no regrets. I learned more about myself, had my faith in people
<BR>restored, and saw glimpses of wonder and magic that I would not change for
<BR>the world. From my very first step, I said, OUT LOUD, that this is the path
<BR>I am on. I have chosen it. I believe that on some level my body, mind, and
<BR>spirit knew what I needed to learn and how best to learn those lessons. If
<BR>that is true, than at every step I was exactly where I needed to be and had
<BR>exactly what I needed in order to survive. Repeating that allowed me to
<BR>experience every moment at its core. I feel for the first time in my life,
<BR>for every day along the Camino, and for most of the days following, I have
<BR>been truly alive. And that my intent all along.
<BR>
<BR>Blessings,
<BR>Gabrielle</FONT></HTML>