When the trees begin to shed their leaves and the forest is flooded with the scent of autumnal fruits, then it is the perfect moment to set new goals.
This challenge will not be a piece of cake, as all the challenges in the Ruiz family. It will require preparation, determination and a little bit of suffering, but we are used to that.
This year I would like to propose that all family members carry out one particular stage of the Route of Santiago de Compostela. This stage does not finish in Galicia and it does not even touch Asturias; it is a demanding stage, full of nature, architecture, churches, gastronomy and small challenges which transform every day into an adventure.
There are the two possible goals. However, I would also like to tell you a big challenge that has crossed my mind lately. It is something personal and it is very close to the authentic essence of the pilgrimage to Santiago. I am not going to mark any dates on my calendar because it is something I will do when something important for me happens. The two challenges are the following:
1. The French Route, from S. Jean de Pied de Port to Burgos.
2. The Northern Route, from Irún to Santander.
3. The Northern Route, the Primitive Route, the French Route and some extra stages, from Irún to Fisterra.
The first two options are difficult but are beautiful enough to turn into a ‘Ruiz challenge’. Nevertheless, the third route is beyond challenging.
I will face this one on my own, but I will accept anyone who is willing to come with me; the conditions will be very specific and I will wait until the perfect moment to do it.
I wouldn’t like to repeat what I said last year (“the team members have an interesting track record: a torn meniscus, a Baker’s cyst, both metatarsal arches ‘fallen’, severe low back pain and some minor troubles with knee cartilage”). To what I said last year, I must add that our joints have gone through a pilgrimage to Santiago via the Primitive Route. Also, we are one year older.
On the other hand, this year we may be more excited and motivated than ever. We are willing to reach Santiago after having strolled through thick forests, steep slopes and tortuous trails, savouring a feeling of solitude and listening to the silence between the trees.
Mental and physical training begin today. The gauntlet is already thrown down!
We still don’t know what route we will choose, we don’t even know if we will eventually start a pilgrimage to Santiago this year and we don’t know if we will succeed. The only thing that is clear on our minds is that we want to do it and we are going to try our best to achieve our goal.
You are all invited to share this adventure with us. To become a Ruiz, all you have to do is talk to another Ruiz, share experiences or a meal, as easy as that.
Buen camino!
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