The good was when I finished my last week at school and at the end of the day of the last day, I had the good fortune of a teacher finding me to bring me to the second grade corridor. Coming up closer, I saw small faces peeking around the corner smiling and quickly turning back. Rounding the corner, I saw all four sections of my second graders (about a total of 100 students) standing in the hallway and cheering my name. Meanwhile, another teacher pushed through the crowd to give me cards that each of the students had made for me. And just as I grabbed the cards, it happened. I cried. Yes, I cried. Not like a baby would but I suppose as a proud mother would as she leaves her children to grow up after teaching them all that she could and to allow Life to teach them the rest of their lessons.
Hugs and kisses galore from that week. I do not believe that I have been honored with so many in my life in such a short time frame. A perfect surprise to begin with before heading out solo on my last journey in Spain. My last adventure was to explore the region of Asturias. With its famous "Picos de Europa", lakes, beaches, and sidra, I had to take some vacation time here before leaving Spain. So on Friday afternoon, I caught a ride with a friend who drove me first to the city, Oviedo, and from there on I went to explore the region. By Monday, I knew I wanted to go to Covadonga and to the lakes in the National Park that holds breathtaking views of what are called the Peaks of Europe. In the small town where I was, I had taken into account bus times for when to leave and to come back. As it was, though, that day, I encountered yet another surprise. Bus strikes.
Bus strikes as far as I am concerned mean drivers refusing to drive due to pay and to sit around in the station like as if it's still their business to be there. Bus strikes do still need to offer "servicios minimos" or minimal services so I found out that I could still catch the bus at 5:00 pm. What joy. I wanted to arrive early enough to see the town of Covadonga and the lakes at the peaks. That was not enough time. One conductor suggested a taxi. Another offered walking. If I could manage on my two feet, I was not going to pay to take a taxi. So I walked. Mind that I left at 9:15am.
I left my town of Cangas de Onis to arrive at Covadonga at about 11:45 which had a beautiful church and sanctuary. The beautiful mountains that surrounded it all were too gorgeous to take in just one photograph. After walking 12 kilometers, I was blessed with a sunny day with barely even a cloud in the sky. As I saw another sign for the lakes that said another 12 kilometers, I decided that my legs were strong and that I had food and plenty of water. So I attempted it. Like smart people that you are, you have probably already done the math in your head to figure out that I would go 24 kilometers one way and end up having to do the same on the way back. Well, SURPRISE! I didn't do the math until half way up the mountain. By that time I was too stubborn and big headed to turn around. In the long run, as I look at how sore my butt was the next three days after, I would not do that again nor would I suggest it to anyone. However, the views I saw on foot far surpassed anything that I could have seen in any car or on any tourist bus. 
By the time I reached the lakes and found a small bar, I ordered a huge bocadillo sandwich and a 1 liter bottle of water. I had gone through my food and my water by the same I arrived (which was around 2:45pm) so I allowed myself the time to rest and to readjust to the altitude (I did after all climb 12 kilometers up the mountain). As I sat and ate, I stared at the lake and realized that I made it. I MADE IT! HA! At that point, I wanted to show off to all of those cars who passed me up the mountain that I did indeed arrive and that I was not crazy in the least. So what if I miscalculated the distance? I made it. 
I suppose this was my last bit of energy that kept me going on the way back down to my town. I had to take several more resting stops than I did on my way up. And by the time I arrived to my hostal at 8:45pm, took a shower, ate a very large menu meal, I was in bed by 10:15pm. Ladies and gentlemen, let's just say that is the earliest I have ever gone to bed while in Spain. But I think it was worth it after 48 kilometers that day. And just so you all know, I did it. I made it. Sin problema.The rest of the week I had the surprise of sore and stiff joints and more bus strikes but to brighten the rest of the trip, I got to enjoy company from a friend of mine who I worked with in the past at a language camp for kids. She and I went went to Aviles one day and although it rained a ton that day, we still enjoyed a fine meal with sidra, basically cider for those of you in the US of A. And by the time the week ended for me to head back to Castro Urdiales, I was picked up by a friend to swing me around for a barbecue with the rest of my fellow teachers at my school. I started the trip with a good surprise and ended it with another good surprise. Funny how Life treats you sometimes, right?
So from going from one surprise to another, I have arrived back to my town in hopes of waiting for maybe yet another surprise in these last few days. With few days remaining, I am going to make sure that each day is used to the fullest and find whatever may come along the way.
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