Serendipities During a Week of Camino

You must know that there is so  much we leave it out. The Camino gives abundantly and when you get at the end of the day you only hit the “church steeples” of the minutes you spent. We thought we might bring you up on a few of the major parts we have barely mentioned.

Spain:  Ahhh, the country of Spain. The genorosity and welcomeness of the people honestly takes your breath away. They WANT to help you; order food; get to your room; buy a bus ticket from a machine; call a taxi for you when the bus is late; help you pay by counting “heavy” coins. They are full of gaiety and song yet reverent and respectful of Jesus beyond words. They seem to delight in life. The tapas make a meal. The pilgrim’s menus are four generous courses for ten euroes. The homes and architecture delight you. Is it Moorish? Gothic; Romanasce? Anything built since the 14th century is modern. Spain is worth the trip itself. 

Introspection:  Whether you begin the Camino on a spiritual quest or not, God presents Himslf to you. The hours of solitude laced with the task of FOLLOWING(even though you are following yellow arrows and shells) is a different approach to life for us as Americans. We prize ourselves with being leaders, not followers. Yet, we are called deliberately to follow. It produces an interesting effect on the inward you. The journey is NOT in your own hands.  The path is before you. JUST FOLLOW. 

Camaraderie: How can people that you meet along THE WAY become such close friends in the few hours you are together? It happens!  Most of the pilgrims we have met are 20 to 40 years younger than we are. They are from Germany, Hunguary,Korea, Spain, Iteland, UK, China and we all love each other. Most of them walk 18-20 miles a day and we walk 12-16 but we pray to meet again AND WE DO. Walking down the streets of Leon; getting hot chocolate from one of gillions of restaurants; shopping in a hiking store,for shorts and there you meet and squeal with true joy. Plan to meet for coffee later. Not daring to think this could be good-bye. 

All of these serendipities weave their magic through the fabric of Camino. 

The day is cold now. We have taken a bus from Leon to Astorga and a taxi to Rabanal. This trip of an hour would have taken us four days to walk. We hope to finish in 14 days and have a couple of days to see Finistera and Muxia. We watched the senda carefully the entire way and saw eight pilgrims and four of them were cycling. It is very early for pilgrims. We will begin the mountains tomorrow. Hoping for a 9 to 10 mile trip as it is all uphill but we will see. The pictures we include are of the UNBELIEVEABLE cathedral in Leon. It was a deeply spiritual time for both of us. 

Our hotel in Rabanal is SO Pleasant and cozy and perfect. It is La Candela and is highly recommended. 

Whisper prayers for us tomorrow as we begin the first of our climbing. We are excited though it might be really cold. 

Buen Camino!

Categories:later. Take photos.