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Published: June 20th 2014
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June 16 - Navarette to Najera
We wake up after a great night's sleep and head right over to the local clinic. We are gestured to sit and wait for our turn to see the registrar. When our turn comes Tanya and I try to explain my situation but to no avail - putting my foot up on the counter didn't do anything to clarify matters.
I very kind young pregnant women got out of her line up and came over to help - for the next 20 minutes she held our hand, got me an appointment with a nurse and explained how I would pay the clinic. I would have to go back for my appointment in 2 hours and after I see the nurse get my invoice which I would have to pay at a local type western union (as I am not a card carrying member of the European Union) - very complicated. The young mom-to-be is just another example of pure human kindness - I will think differently the next time I see a foreigner asking for help back home.
We go back to our room and pack
up our back packs - we leave them in the dining room - if I get the ok we will walk - if not we will rebook our room.
I go back to the clinic for my appointment and to my utter amazement the nurse (male) calls us in exactly on time - I was expecting to wait hours.
He speaks no English but one look at my feet and he is shaking his head - he puts on rubber gloves and pulls out iodine, gauze and sterile fluid extraction needles - he motions for me to lay down - he motions to Tanya to hold my hand. He sticks the needles into my blisters and through my small toe toenails in an effort to release fluid and pressure - he is not pleased with what he extracts - I am worried as he is running out of entry points - I am also sure I saw him make a quick sign of the cross as he turned to get another needle.
He did what he could and compeeded the toes. From what we could tell and by playing hand charades
he said the toes were not infected yet but to keep an eye on them. He indicated my large left toe nail would probably fall off in 4 - 10 days. He indicated I could still walk if I wanted - he also said there were many clinics on the Camino. We thanked him, paid at the banking institution and decided to walk the 19km to Najera.
We leave around 1pm and walk all afternoon - thankfully it's cool, cloudy with a nice breeze.the entire walk is through the famous wine region - distinguished by red clay soil - vineyard after vineyard.
We find a hostel in Najera, have supper and retire for the walk tomorrow - Tanya is not feeling 100%.
Piss off of the day - taking longer to pay the clinic bill than the entire time spent at the clinic
Tip of the day - take the time to learn the basics of the language of the country you are going to visit - especially if you'll be there a few months - hand signs can only take you so far.
Blessing
of the day - a kind pregnant mom and a persistent male nurse and a helpful student working the desk at the hostel - without all their help I would still be in Navrette
Funny event of the day - it took the agent at the bank and his assistant (both men) over twenty minutes to change a printer cartridge - we all patiently waited and hoped. At one point it looked like they were going to throw it out of the building.
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Home and Away
Bob Carlsen
Glad your toes got taken care of...
and that you were permitted to continue your pilgrimage...and the weather is cooler.