12 days in and covering 24 km easily regardless of weather conditions which, I’m just saying, have been putrid.  5 more days of rain are predicted.   I walk ahead, navigating, setting the pace and anticipating road crossings or rail crossings, occasionally looking back to make sure Paula is close behind.  Her smiling face keeps me going for hours.

We have been unable to shut out the torrent of shameful news from the US, like Trump’s plan to kidnap and render US citizens to CECOT in Salvador. Harvard grew a spine but the damage to our centers of learning will take years to repair. Contrast what we are doing to words and books with the culture that built the Joanina library, a veritable temple of knowledge.

We continue to pass houses and buildings decorated with Azuelas, some quite large and complex.   Passed a house falling on itself that still boasted its charming Azuela.  They help make even drab, rainy days cheerful.