Snippets

So…frankly…there is no way to adequately describe Camino. I guess it is sort of similar to describing the smell of a rose and one has never seen a flower or the feel of the wind on the beach if you have never seen the ocean. You want to describe the sensations but words are just not adequate.

We thought today we would fill in the gaps…the snippets that will help transport you here.

First off the day was easy. Thirteen and a half miles of walking. We were above the clouds 1/3 of the day. The earth and the vegetation could hardly contain their joy that Easter is coming. There were FIELDS of yellow; violets everywhere; fruit trees proudly displaying blossoms.

Some of you are following us on the Camino and tell us to tell you WHERE we are.  We were in Tricastille last night at the cutest albergue called Albergue Atrio. We walked the old Pilgrim trail down to Sarria. We are staying at Pension Escalinata just before Santa Maria church.  We have another mountain range in front of us but nothing like the two we have crossed. We AND our legs like the ascent better than the descent….not that the ascent is easy. As for whether we would do the Camino in river sandals…not in this lifetime. We love our river sandals. We love to trek in our river sandals but NOT Camino. This is your Camino. We are giving OUR opinion because you asked.

Snippet One: (Groan.. How many snippets are there? I will try to have the correct photos attached.). Yesterday, as we walked through of village that was so small that we were surprised it was listed, a petite “older” woman saw us and kept saying, “Un momento! Un momento!”  We turned and stopped to wait. Actually I was thinking she might want us to deliver a letter or carry a note to the next town. Out she came of her casa with a plate of “pancakes” and sugar to put on top. ” This is for the church,” she explained. Ernest quickLy made a donation which brought a profusion of thanks AND more sugar for the pancake. She had taken from what she had a sought to multiply it to our God. She then put a dandelion on my pack. Were we blessed?  You guessed it, beyond knowledge.

Snippet Two: We have fallen in love with fellow pilgrims. Remember I told you that we bid adieu to Patrick and Jessica.  They were going onto Sarria as we struggled into Tricastille last night. Ernest and I showered, rested and then walked a short distance to a pilgrim’s menu last night. It was chilly to us so we sat inside and ordered. Outside on the patio we watched the waiters set up a table for about 12 young pilgrims. We smiled and then looked again. There were three of our fellow pilgrims and two of them were Jessica and Patrick. I tapped on the window and when they saw us they jumped up from their chairs and ran inside and we hugged and jumped up and down and acted like it had been YEARS since we had been together ( Actually less than 12 hours). Wondered if this will be what it is like when we get to heaven and see each other.

Snippet Three: The majesty of northern Spain will blow you away. I mean…it is BEAUTIFUL. Our son-in-law is a magnificent photographer. NEVER do the Camino with him. You won’t make one kilometer a day. The flora shines; the doggies nuzzle; the cats pose; the butterflies frolick; the farmers till; the women hang laundry; the churches beckon; bells from cows harmonize with the deep resonance of the church bells. We keep saying,” Stop one more time for one more photo!  Just magical.

Now we will have dinner and rest and head out toward Santiago. We carry most of you with you in our hearts.

Buen Camino!