Day 31 O Cebreiro to Triacastela
21k – 661k to date
Today was the best weather day and some of the most gorgeous views I have seen. They definitely rival the views of the first week. The hike today was supposed to bring us down off the mountain we hiked up yesterday and after a few additional climbs, it did bring us down to a nice valley town that has two long streets and looks like the pilgrim trade is the lifeblood of the town. The trek once it started down was pretty steep in places and made the going a little slow, so even with the reduced distance, it still took almost 6 hours to get here.
After about 12k of hiking, I got to the last intermediate town with services and went into the bar and it was almost like old home week on the Camino! I saw several I have been moving with over the last week and I saw 6 previous acquaintances that we have not seen for a week or two. It seems that the trail is narrowing down as we get closer to Santiago. I expect tomorrow to maybe be the same as today. It really is amazing how you meet people, then go on your way, only to find them again weeks later and they remember you and you remember them. When they say some of the best parts of this journey are the community, they are right. People are the best part of this journey. Some are really outgoing and help bring you out the shell, while others may not even be able to communicate, but are always there with a smile and don’t mind sharing a table or a bench. There are very few that just want to keep to their little group, for those, they are missing a huge part of this journey.
How do you meet people on this journey, especially if you are a bit of an introvert like me? Several ways, from day one, I decided to always find pilgrim(s) eating dinner and then go sit with them. I have only had one meal by myself and that was one evening I was very late in going to eat. That was a little tough to do starting out, but when you think about it, most other pilgrims are also looking for new people to start a conversation, so I have always been welcome at a table. I have found that after one time, that also leads to additional invitations to come sit at our table tonight. One of the other ways to meet people is to being willing to talk while walking. Not only does it help the day go faster, it gives time to meet and learn about people one on one. Finally, you also see people day after day in the same hostels and that just leads to pulling up chairs together out in the courtyard as everyone tries to rest there feet.
Your next question might be what to discuss with someone totally foreign, and to a Texan, that even means those from California. I have found that the best conversation pieces are to let the other person talk about their family and home, that opens them up to comfortable areas and we all love visiting about our family or home. If things ever stall out in the discussions, there is always politics and Donald Trump, people all over the world are curious if Trump is a serious candidate and even more, can he win? Once the communication door is open, we always find things to talk about, even if it is just about today’s hike or the health of your feet.
I feel this journey has been a blessing of people. Some are characters, some are sincere, some are just plain old people, but all are on the same adventure and that makes us common souls. Also, I have met quite a few Christians on this path. That is a refreshing thing to see. Just yesterday, while walking with Eric and Peiter, during a rest stop I called Sherry about her Sunday School lesson. Today, Eric asked how my wife’s Church lesson went! Peiter and Eric, who are walking a week a year, leave the trail today, Eric said God Bless and Peiter said I will probably never see you again, but I have had fun sharing dinners and time with you. To me, that is what this community is all about.
The day countdown has begun….
Hebrews 13:2