Day 14 - January 18
I begin today with update on Foxy who has moved in with Jandira on her farm and two dogs. She sent me a picture as they were getting to know each other. Foxy is small but I saw him scare away large packs of street dogs so he can hold his own, I’m sure he will fit right in. Our biggest concern is that we heard she has chickens and we were all witnesses to multiple chicken killings that he was responsible for…
Having to make up 30 miles over last two days required us to be agile with our plans. This meant the last two mornings we were up at 4am and out quickly. Yesterday I woke up with sore throat and body aches so as we arrived in Campo do Jordoa, I ran into a pharmacy first thing and checked for covid which thankfully I tested negative for. Once we finished the day the guys arranged a dinner at a husband and wife’s restaurant where she cooked us fresh trout one with almonds the other with capers, rice, beans, salsa, salad, roasted carrots and ice cold beers. Wonderful team evening on the eve of our last day running.
Today we had roughly 30miles to cover to the Basilica whereas we usually like to have around 12-15 last day so we can have time to get our official pilgrim document and celebrate. We managed to get back to the spot where we left off near the top of the highest point on the Caminho at 6,500’. From there on it drops all the way to sea level. Temperature was 50 degrees at the top and by the time we made it down it was close to 100 degrees. Once again I didn’t feel at my best but just know we were on the home stretch I performed as I had hoped - I was able to bomb down the mountain, holding nothing back, as I knew there would be no miles to put in tomorrow morning.
As we kicked off the morning, we were treated to a full moon overlooking the valley and clouds below, it was an incredible view and we did our morning brief right there together.
Amy and I arrived in Aparecida for the fourth time, familiar with all of the landmarks and feelings and emotions of having travelled the path of faith. What made this trip so special was seeing the awe and wonder through John Mathis’ eyes as he finished his first Brazil 135 and then Caique who did the last 10k with us together and saw him take in the end and then finally meeting Alan’s wife Alinny who is expecting their first daughter whom they named Amy in a few months, meeting us at the Basilica and all of us going in together to finalize this fourth Caminho.
I FaceTimed with Monica as I do multiple times a day in Aparecida. She told me to light 3 candles - one for my grandmother who just passed, one for Lucky and the last for her. Amy has done this each year when we have arrived and she helped me figure out the ropes - it made me very happy to do this in memory of those I’ve lost.
We checked in to a nice hotel that Alan picked out in Campo do Jordoa and now we celebrate in earnest our teams accomplishment.
Huge thanks to Alan Lacerda - our crew chief and dear friend. He is steady, funny, caring and the one memory I will cherish was when John, Amy and I were running at 3am to finish day, i finished a little ahead and found a bench to lay down on, as i slept, Alan came over and lay 2 towels over me to keep me warm and I felt his caring much more than the warmth.
Big thank you Caique for fitting right in with the team, great sense humor always had us laughing, up for any job and always there for us.
Thank you for your support -
Cheers,
David.
