The Alberigue recommended to me by friends is a wonderful place – one of the best Albergues I have seen so far on the Camino. The bunks are clean and linen is provided. The burning stove on the second floor provided warmth, as well as heat in the rooms – again an amenity that is not always provided! Tomorrow is going to be a slightly longer walk for me, and so the comfort of a good night is appreciated.
One of my friends provided a lovely link on the Internet to desscribe the pilgrim experience. After you read it, you will understand that I'm a combination of Pilgrim and tourist.
But I am not a walker!
I spent part of the afternoon catching up on news from home – Facebook, the federal election, the Blue Jays seventh inning of game 5. I think it is the beginning of my process of reconnection- I am now realizing that my time in Spain will be at an end in two weeks or so.
But there is still much to see and do! I am about 200 km from Santiago. I am going to eat octopus. I still take delight in the pilgrims' blessings after mass in the small villages and towns in which I rest. And the people in so much of Spain seem genuinely hospitable and glad to see the pilgrims (and I don't think it's just because it's the most lucrative business in northern Spain!).
This evening's mass was in the beautiful St Nicolas Church, which, after the images of suffering in which the Templars revelled, was so much more uplifting!
Today's Music: North Country (Rankin Family) ... rustle of leaves on the ground (but no cold dark rain)
Today's Paces: 15,933
Tomorrow's Prayer Intentions: all the people who support the pilgrims, especially in the Albergues, bar-restaurants, farmacias, and chapels/churches
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