Palas de Rei to Arzua - Stepping into the flow

-

Every one of these students was delightful. We wished each other buen camino. These young people bring life - La Vida - to the Camino. Today I stepped into the flow, and was carried along to Arzua.
This morning was cool and misty. Thunder happened across the night. Perfect for a long walk if you don’t mind a raindrop or two.

The local church offers a pilgrim mass every night. Humanity and spirituality somehow coexist with traditional religious practices- it is a Mystery.

I am constantly astounded by the devotion of parish communities of centuries past in building these structures. Why? How? Their legacy is uncertain.
 
Then it started to rain. Fabulous! I donned my hobbit coat - and walked on 🎵 with hope in my heart - and all of a sudden realised - I will never walk alone.  How fragile we are. 

Melide! It’s pulpo time. A seat by the window was just the ticket - I smiled and pointed as Peregrinos shuffled by.

Into the forest once again - brothers with matching yellow packs laughing and pushing each other sideways while their dad and I smiled and nodded.

All of a sudden, Arzua appeared.

Less than 40km from Santiago. My Albergue is metres away.

These Galician colours are amazing.

Not unlike the dedication of these gentlemen to cards on a Thursday evening 

So it is good night from me - and good night from him, ie. Sancho Packsa.



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Salceda to Santiago de Compostela- Arrived!

-
Image
Today I arrived at Santiago de Compostela Cathedral. There was much celebration. Friends ahead of me friends behind me - we watched each other walk in - memories of steep climbs and descents, being alone, being together on the path - came flooding back. There was no need for words - just smiles and hugs, and plans to get together tonight. Head light primed for an early start. I organised with friends further along to meet them for breakfast - I had some kilometres to cover. It was dark. Fortunately, I (sort of) knew the path. I had walked it in daylight - and in the rain and dark before. I stayed here once . . . Years ago, a good friend came back to this place to see if I was alright. It was cold, dark and wet. I had been ill and he checked on me. We walked together to the Cathedral, even singing ‘Volare’ towards the end when I came good. I made breakfast at O Pedrouzo- how wonderful! Everyone wished each other well- some I had seen each day, others not for ages. After breakfast, we bi...
Read more

Mollymook to Barcelona - Half the world away

-
Image
I have returned to Spain - starting from Mollymook last weekend and arriving in Barcelona yesterday - half a world away.  This Camino experience will be different.  Instead of following one particular path, I will be walking sections of  different routes and taking detours in various places - more free wheeling, as well as volunteering as a hospitalero for a couple of weeks. A hospitalero/a is someone who looks after Camino pilgrims in an albergue - a type of hostel manager (more on that in coming days) Another difference was that this Camino started with a pilgrimage to watch Collingwood play Geelong in Melbourne (Collingwood lost 😞) and the opportunity to visit family and leave from my sister’s front door.  I walked to the tram and took a bus from the city to  the airport, then checked in my pack and prepared for the flight to Barcelona via Dubai. The war in the Middle East had been a concern. After 14 hours, I reached Dubai and had a short stop over. Dubai s...
Read more

Santiago to Oviedo - Singing and sauntering

-
Image
Arume Bar in Santiago is so welcoming. Bar owner Habin shook my hand as I walked in, and asked me to play. Andoni the resident guitarist saw me and came over, gave me a hug, and we did a set. I love Santiago. My hostel was close by the cathedral. After checking in, I went in search of a beer (well two actually). And something to eat. Later I met Camino friends for  dinner, and suggested we go to the Arume Bar - it was an open mic night. Local artists played including one (Harry) who I knew from Finisterre as well as a Mexican guy who was fabulous. Andoni’s wife sang Stand By Me (blended with Every Breath You Take) with us. Next morning, chocolate con churros hit the spot. The rest of the day was a slow saunter around Santiago. My body appreciated it. I said goodbyes to various Camino friends and had an early night. I dropped the key in the box, left the hostel. I started making my way to the bus station. The cathedral precinct was almost deserted. I sat down in the Plaza Obradoiro ...
Read more