Melide to Salceda - People you meet
Every pair of boots tells a story. They carry us towards and alongside people we talk to, and bring faster people into our space. Today was a joy - my boots brought me alongside people with passion, experience and questions. The Camino starts conversations.
I walked alone out of town and into the forest, past a donativo stall. So far, a regular morning.
I met an Irish pilgrim, a teacher on vacation walking from Leon. We talked about Australia and Ireland (obviously) and Irish pubs, Holy Week in Seville, the Church and Celtic music.
Galicia is a Celtic place with traditions not dissimilar to Ireland and to Irish diaspora in Australia, like me.
We parted company at the first super crowded bar stop. I walked on to the second one - there was no one there.
Nice - Got served straight away! Compared with some more obsessive compulsive types, I usually do one or perhaps two stamps a day, where I stay and where I eat - so I giggled at this one.
I met a woman who had started the Camino four years ago from her home in northern France - walking around 6 weeks per year during summer break. In that time she had contracted breast cancer and been divorced. Last year at Sarria - 100kms from Santiago after walking with friends from starting in the French Pyrenees, she received news her mother had died suddenly. She left immediately- she walks into Santiago tomorrow. She said she missed her companions from last year and felt hollow. I said savour tomorrow, you have accomplished your goal.
Walking through Arzua, I remembered a group of Camino friends that I had walked with on the Camino del Norte. We had a photo taken here - now only empty steps.
Walking the Camino Frances in 2013, I remember seeing this bridge and experiencing this landscape for the first time. Still entrancing!
Family and friends show extraordinary perseverance walking the Camino. I have vivid recollection of people close showing amazing strength. This woman was clearly struggling.
When we spoke, I asked how she was and she smiled and greeted me warmly. I met an American couple yesterday in a similar situation. They are completing the Camino del Norte and Primitivo combination - after beginning at 4-5 kms per hour, they are now drawing satisfaction from walking up to 15 kms a day. ‘It’s not a race, Mike!’ they told me. How true.
Now there’s a novel idea. Sell bottled drinks to pilgrims then invite them to write messages and create a feature wall. Or if beer and cider are not your thing, simply look up and pick and press some grapes.
Later in the day I was asked if I might walk on from the albergue I had booked and join friends further along the way. When we checked, we found their place was fully booked- so I stayed put. The hospitalera took our photo anyway - Leonardo, Andrea and me.
The people you meet . . .
Tomorrow Santiago de Compostela.
I met an Irish pilgrim, a teacher on vacation walking from Leon. We talked about Australia and Ireland (obviously) and Irish pubs, Holy Week in Seville, the Church and Celtic music.
Galicia is a Celtic place with traditions not dissimilar to Ireland and to Irish diaspora in Australia, like me.
We parted company at the first super crowded bar stop. I walked on to the second one - there was no one there.
Nice - Got served straight away! Compared with some more obsessive compulsive types, I usually do one or perhaps two stamps a day, where I stay and where I eat - so I giggled at this one.
I met a woman who had started the Camino four years ago from her home in northern France - walking around 6 weeks per year during summer break. In that time she had contracted breast cancer and been divorced. Last year at Sarria - 100kms from Santiago after walking with friends from starting in the French Pyrenees, she received news her mother had died suddenly. She left immediately- she walks into Santiago tomorrow. She said she missed her companions from last year and felt hollow. I said savour tomorrow, you have accomplished your goal.
Walking through Arzua, I remembered a group of Camino friends that I had walked with on the Camino del Norte. We had a photo taken here - now only empty steps.
Walking the Camino Frances in 2013, I remember seeing this bridge and experiencing this landscape for the first time. Still entrancing!
Family and friends show extraordinary perseverance walking the Camino. I have vivid recollection of people close showing amazing strength. This woman was clearly struggling.
When we spoke, I asked how she was and she smiled and greeted me warmly. I met an American couple yesterday in a similar situation. They are completing the Camino del Norte and Primitivo combination - after beginning at 4-5 kms per hour, they are now drawing satisfaction from walking up to 15 kms a day. ‘It’s not a race, Mike!’ they told me. How true.
Now there’s a novel idea. Sell bottled drinks to pilgrims then invite them to write messages and create a feature wall. Or if beer and cider are not your thing, simply look up and pick and press some grapes.
Later in the day I was asked if I might walk on from the albergue I had booked and join friends further along the way. When we checked, we found their place was fully booked- so I stayed put. The hospitalera took our photo anyway - Leonardo, Andrea and me.
The people you meet . . .
Tomorrow Santiago de Compostela.
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