Flexibility!
The day begins with embracing imperfection once again. In short, I mixed up the Baltimore appointments. I thought today was John Hopkins, but it’s tomorrow morning. How to fill the now empty day?
I leave the O’Keefe family grateful for their hospitality. I gobble up breakfast (my newly preferred consumption pattern) and head to York Avenue. An Emerson quote on a Panera’s window banner 
announces today’s walking intention. “Do not go where the path leads. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” Good advice.
Perhaps the shift in plans will lead me to unexpected encounters. It does. Once again I leave my iPhone power cord behind the locked doors of my host family’s home. It’s my umbilical chord to technology and I need it. Drat! I begrudgingly head to the Verizon store on the avenue. I hate to buy another one (the third one in two years), but the unexpected purchase allows me to talk about Nathaniel and BDD to two unoccupied sales people. Sweet! My daily goal for such spontaneous conversations is five. With one simple $31.79 purchase, I’m down to three more to go.
On Bellona Avenue I rediscover the library I saw the evening before. Opening time is 10:00 and it’s now 9:45. Perfect. Why not wait and talk to the librarians? Miss Gloria and Poonam (to whom I had talked the day before) want to know who Nathaniel is and what I am doing. I oblige. That now makes three and only two more to go. (I can’t count Poonam today. She was part of yesterday’s tally. I’m being honest.)
Slowly I make my way to Downtown Baltimore, tonight’s rest stop before tomorrow’s appointment at John Hopkins and my walk to Ellicott City, southwest of Baltimore. Hotel.com finds me a bargain on East Baltimore Street near Inner Harbor, and a 40% discount too. But before getting there, I eat a huge tuna salad sandwich at Potbelly Sandwich Shop. Server Marlo gives me a free bottle of water as a farewell gift — another conversation accomplished.
After the last mile stretch of Charles Street before Baltimore Street, I am clearly in Downtown Baltimore. Two young women advocating for Human Rights (LGBT equality) sense a tired pilgrim with his defenses down. They approach, and I listen patiently to the story of their advocacy, but decide not to sign up for the monthly contribution plan they suggest. Instead I see an opportunity before me. Yes, I earn two more Walking with Nathaniel points. I’m now over my daily goal by one.
When I reach my destination at Hotel Lord Baltimore, I’m losing steam. It’s in the 90s today and I’ve walked well over 10 miles. Lisa and Tonya at the welcome desk sense a story in me, and I don’t disappoint. Tonya’s empathy is well-honed, and her eyes tear up when she hears about Nathaniel’s journey and mine. I leave them my pilgrim card, happy now to have surpassed today’s goal by three.
A soak in the bathtub works miracles, so much so that I head to the Inner Harbor a few blocks 
away. I remember being here at the aquarium with Judy, Nathaniel, and Carrie over twenty-two years ago. I remember vividly holding baby Carrie in my arms as we were staring at a fish tank. Next to us stood a small African American boy with soft wooly hair, equally intent on the fish. His beautiful hair must have reminded Carrie of her beloved lamby, so she reached out, and started stroking his head while sucking her thumb — her favorite comfort mode. The very polite, yet confused little boy sank further and further down, trying to get out of the reach of that persistent little hand. That image will remain forever in my mind.
Day 9 ends with tapas and a cold Stella Artois while overlooking the harbor. I relish both the
view and the refreshments with a great sense of accomplishment: having walked over 125 miles, I have earned “Camino seniority.” The mileage makes it easier to start up conversations with strangers, and perhaps will inspire more contributions to the cause.
