Last night in our alburgue was one of those Camino things. It was a large alburgue that could hold 50 people I think but only about 12 of us staying there. It had a lovely patio and a little pool for soaking your feet. Wonderful!
My friend Kristina was there and she and I planned to cook pasta for dinner. But just as we were about to walk to the mercardo a storm broke out with thunder, lightning and a heavy downpour. So we started reassessing what we had already. At the same time 3 other people were doing the same. We decided to combine efforts. We ended up with a mix of different small pastas, artichokes, ham, onions, garlic all sautéed in fresh olive oil, a can of Spanish olives, Parmesan, bread and cookies for dessert. It was delicious and I met 3 new friends. We had great conversation and then slept with the windows open and cool air.
Today I walked the first half of day alone but surrounded by other pilgrims. I left a little earlier and so was in the stream of pilgrims. It was a relatively easy morning.
I stopped for a tea con leche mid morning and met Michelle and David, both from the US. Michelle and I ended up walking the rest of the way together. This is her second Camino, having done the first last summer with her uncle, in place of her cousin who passed suddenly from cancer. She talked of how the Camino helped her process not only the death of her cousin, but also some of the PTSD she experienced in the Iraq war. This time she feels lighter and like she can enjoy it more.
We ended up in Santo Domingo at a lovely alburgue with a patio area. Patios are so nice for gathering and relaxing. Some alburgues have no communal space. So you either lay on your bed or go out somewhere else.
I was able to spend an hour in the cathedral de Santo Domingo this afternoon. It’s gorgeous. There is a story of this church about a miracle that occurred involving chickens. I’ll post a pic of the story with other pics. So everything in this town is adorned with roosters or chickens. And the cathedral holds two chickens in a cage for display (I got a pic). But animal
lovers do not fear. They only stay in there 2 weeks then they are rotated out to a free range pasture. This church also has lots of relics (usually bones) of a Saint. All Catholic Churches must contain a relic and these here are on display. Not the norm as I’ve seen before. So look closely at a few of the pics and you’ll see a skull as well as some arm bones and others. Weird.
This town is quiet but known for good food. Looking forward to dinner.
Buen Camino.
Cheers Tina!
Your descriptions of the Camino Way and how things naturally come together resonated with a Walter Brueggemann article that Drew Ingram shared this week. The article ends, “The “ancient world” of God’s creation is a vehicle and venue for abundant neighborliness, offered in the face of our more recently produced world of technology that generates fear, greed, and eventually violence.” I can easily envision the neighborly abundance of your shared meal. I am praying for you every step of the way.
Gorgeous! Thanks for sharing and so true.
Your post sounds so relaxed and that you are in the swing of things. No mention of your knee so I pray it is not hurting too badly. Finding new friends in the pilgrims along the Way sounds delightful and I am sure inspirational. Praying for continued healing for your knee and amazing communion with God along the Way.