By the time I post this, Dave’s flight will be taking off and he’ll be on his way to Porto. His original flight was leaving Victoria on September 16th, but it looks like Friday the 13th is his lucky day! (Thank you, Dennis, for not letting the Air Canada Airline strike interrupt Dave’s Camino.) It was an unusual morning. Sadly, I didn’t say “Adios y Buen Camino” to any pilgrims. There is something missing when you don’t see them off….
Today I’m feeling so much gratitude! Thank you so much, everyone, for your thoughtful “Happy Birthday” messages! ♥️ It was definitely a birthday to remember — the last one in my seventies. Hard to believe! Thank you also for your suggestions on how we can make Dave’s Camino happen, despite the looming Air Canada strike. The uncertainty of whether he’d get here was like a huge question mark hanging over us. The Camino always brings its share of surprises and…
This morning, we said “Buen Camino” to 13 pilgrims. Among the last to leave was Teresa, an expat from the USA who has been living in Málaga since COVID. She loves her new home and Spain’s free healthcare system. She told about how the temperature in Málaga is “just right” — never too hot, never too cold. Edwin from Peru, with a beatific smile and most interesting hiking stick left soon after. His heartfelt “muchas gracias y adiós” in Spanish…
We couldn’t ask for better weather these days. It’s supposed to last for at least the next seven days. Today was a perfect 23°C with sunshine. Even though it is warm outside, it’s a few degrees colder indoors because of the stone walls that are at least 30” thick. I keep my fleece on in the reception area where I register pilgrims, but shed the jacket as soon as I step outdoors. After I wrote last night’s post, we had…
It’s Groundhog Day again. By 8 AM, we had wished “Buen Camino” to all our pilgrims, or so we thought. Somehow, we’d missed Edwin, who was still sound asleep in his tent out in the backyard. A ring of the bell got him up and he made his getaway after a simple breakfast of coffee, bread, jam, and leftover cake from yesterday’s tea. It’s always interesting to see the variety of departures each morning—some with leisurely goodbyes after wrapping toes…
The 17 pilgrims who stayed with us last night left this morning with big smiles, warm hugs, and heartfelt “thank you’s.” They took the time to write beautiful messages in our guest book. Yesterday, Ilaria from Italy told us how she had lost her wallet. She retraced her steps for an hour, hoping to find it, but she didn’t. Despite this setback, the “Camino provided” – a phrase often used on the Camino. Fellow pilgrims generously offered Ilaria money to…
This morning, Gabriela was our “star” pilgrim. She is a 32-year-old from Brazil who could easily be mistaken for someone ten years younger. She was such a delight—bright-eyed and full of energy and gratitude. She ran nearly 40 kilometers yesterday and was the first to arrive in the early afternoon. Gabriela’s goal is ambitious in spite of the blisters she got when training at home in Brazil. She needs to reach Santiago in just seven days and get to Paris…
As usual, we had breakfast set up the night before, so that in the morning all we need to do is boil water for tea, switch on the coffee maker, and welcome pilgrims into the kitchen for breakfast at 7 AM. The lovely family of four from Taiwan – mom and three boys aged 10, 9, and 5 – were among the last to join us. We are amazed to think that these young boys have walked over 500 kilometres…
Sergei from Germany and Kevin from Taiwan were the last to leave this morning. Both young men left lasting impressions. Kevin showed us his two journals filled with precious memories which include pictures and writings of his own and from people he met along the Way, as well as us. Like most pilgrims, Sergei is on his way to Santiago, but Kevin already reached Santiago from Lisbon. He is now proudly carrying his Compostela in his side pocket and is walking…
Three of our friendly Brazilian pilgrims set out before dawn this morning when the stars were still shining brightly. We’ve been lucky with the weather, except for a downpour Janine and I were caught in last week in Astorga. Yesterday, during afternoon tea, a pilgrim described a hail storm the previous day in Astorga as having “cherry-sized” hailstones, and then corrected himself, saying “maybe more like blueberries.” 😂 After the pilgrims had all left, we began our morning jobs. Janine…