The pilgrimage has begun. Yay!

First the bad news. As we were packing our bags this morning I realized the transmitter mic for our 360 camera was missing. After a few minutes of fruitless searching I recalled on instance the previous day when the camera fell and I’d heard a small crack. I’d been relieved when I found the lens intact. I think I heard the mic bracket snapping off. Oh well there was nothing to be done save take a chance trip. Back up the hill to see if it was still there. Sadly the balcony where we’d been sitting was gated off and locked. It’s not disaster but just disappointing.

The rest of the day was nice as we exited the city of Prague being passed by scores of bikers, roller bladers, joggers and parents out for a walk with their children.

After the first several miles of city chaos, walking on tarmac we diverted onto the river path. The path was mostly flat as we hugged the bank of the Vlatava River.

In the river there were dozens of crew boats, skulls, and kayaks. Along the riverside were fishermen.

Much to our delight the path was also lined with wild plum trees and apple trees. Although the apples were not ripe, we snacked on quite a few of the small plums. The flowers along the way were also a wonder.

We did hit a funny patch that proved to be an obstacle that luckily I caught on film!!

2/3 of the way through the day we crossed the Vlatava at the village of Zbraslava and stopped for a late coffee (Nadine tea). We spoke with the owner who was at first cool to us but warmed as we asked how to say some basic Czech words. We got the typical “you’re all crazy” look when she heard what we were up to. By the way, it’s the same look most of you have given us as well.

Next came the first and only hill of the day. It was blissfully short and ended at one end of a golf course through which our path ran straight through. Allison decided to get in a few practice swings during lunch.

Strange sighting for the day for me was a Japanese man guiding a remote control hand cart along the golf path. I guess it’s not as lazy as riding a golf cart but it did seem pretty techy for a sport.

Finally we crossed the river Berounka into Cernosice

We arrived at our lodging Penzion Stary Dom (translates to Pension Old House) a little too early to check in so we walked just a bit more to the nearby grocery to get lunch for tomorrow (Tuna, bread, avocado, chips and cookies). By the time we were done our host had arrived.

We did the whole check in, shower, hand wash clothes routine before crashing around the small room with our toes up (a Camino habit). We will go out for dinner soon. Nadine is forcing me to go to some Hamburger joint because THAT’S why I flew all the way to the Czech Republic. Just kidding, I’m sure it will be great.

What is it like to start a pilgrimage? There is excitement in all the newness and, for experienced pilgrims like us, some familiarity with the routine of pilgrim-life. There is wonder at all the new things (plum trees today) and the mystery of what is around the next corner. Almost EVERYTHING is a mystery – I don’t where we will have lunch tomorrow or where we will be spending the night. I don’t know if there are mountains or if it will be flat.

For some of you that might be unsettling. But you quickly begin to be comfortable with the unknown and actually miss it when you get home. You learn not to fear. You learn to trust and embrace whatever comes. As our friend Josh says often, “Blessed are the flexible”.