Martin’s Herbal Blister Balm
Martin’s Herbal Blister Balm
by John O’Connor | Port Monmouth, NJ
An impromptu group of four pilgrims that had organically formed in Orrison was traveling from Ventosa to Cirueña. We stopped at a fuente along the Way for a water break. My blister was really hurting! With shoe and sock off, I saw my blister was redder and bigger. Martin took a look, then walked into the woods. A few minutes later, he emerged and said, “John, you are in luck, I found this herb. I will mash it up and make a balm for your blister. Do you have tape?” “Yes, in my first aid kit.” It took Martin only a few minutes to make the balm. He rubbed it on the blister and all around my toe. He then wrapped the dressing tightly around my toe. He said, “Leave this on until tomorrow morning.”
I was able to walk, but gingerly. Soon, we walked into the small historic city of Nájera. At a small market, we purchased some bread, cheese, and smoked meats. We stopped in a park to eat our lunch. When we finished and were about to hoist our backpacks, Martin said, “I’ve something to say. I’ll be leaving you, my friends. I need to take a bus to the Madrid airport. I have an evening flight to take me home.” We all gave Martin quizzical looks. He said this was his plan all along: to walk the Camino for two weeks, go home, and then come back next year for another two weeks, picking up where he’d left off. Disappointed, I thanked Martin, wished him well, and said, “Let’s stay in touch.” He gave hugs and said, “Auf Wiedersehen!” In English, “Until we see each other again.”
The next morning, my big toe was cured! My toe was dry. The pain was gone. I immediately sent a WhatsAppt text to Martin to share the good news. I said, “You should bottle and sell this miracle blister cure.” He responded: “Somebody already has. I just knew the ingredients.”
Martin then asked if I would keep notes of any good albergues we found along the Way so he could look for them when he returns next year. That request prompted me to transcribe and expand my handwritten journal into an early outline of my Camino memoir. I am so glad I did! Martin and I have stayed in touch. We plan to reunite next year and walk another Camino.
