We set off at 06:00. We knew we had a long day ahead. The long day turned into a Comrades marathon. We spent 11 hours on the road. I picked up a cold the previous day and Ansie's hip and feet are giving her trouble.
The most terrible memory of this day is not the heat or the body complaining but the dogs! Why do people have dogs, small house dogs and keep them tied to a chain with makeshift dog boxes? We encountered this terrible sight along the way, four small dogs on chains. The fifth one was in a desperate condition. There was something wrong with his back legs, a discharge was running from his nose and he could only see from one eye. I was contemplating the thought of taking my knife and end his misery. The owner came out as we walked off. I just starred at her.
We hardly took a corner or there was another big dog. Its owner was with him. The dog could hardly walk... I prayed that God will deliver them from evil.
When you judge, you become out of balance. I want to judge these people. What set of values do they live by? What ethical code do they follow, in their relationship with nature or other (human)beings? Sometimes it seems as if they are on the same road as we are, but they are not.
I was out of balance and out of sync! But it is in the extremities where you get to know yourself and to know God. It is in the extremities where you find yourself and God. There in the fire, in the purging, He convinces you that He is gracious, merciful and good.
Porto is big. Finding accomodation proofed to be a challenge. We could book into a hotel, but we are not tourists (remember, we are pilgrims) and our budget will not afford it. The youth hostels were full. We found a pension next to the station! Well, the bed was clean. After a good meal at a local restaurant, we were in bed.
What a journey.
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