8 hours 20 minutes-28 km
Today we walked through endless cornfields for the first 5 hours, then we started our ascent of 3 long gentle hills. The climb up and down was not steep but the trail strewn with loose rock made it a miserable 3 hours of climbing with very little shade and a hot sunny afternoon.
When we got to the top of the last hill, a long slog, our feet screaming from all the loose rock; we met one of the wonderful Angels of the Camino.
David lives 15 km away but comes to that desolate spot where Pilgrims are ready to drop and he sets up his little stand of fresh fruit, homemade cake, juices, tea and coffee. He offers it all free to passing Pilgrims.
He tells me it is out of love for the Pilgrims and the Camino. He says he himself was a Pilgrim and knew the pain and exhaustion, so he wants to give something back to the Camino that means so much to him.
He is truly a Camino Angel for what he does, and there are many more like him.
There was Felicia who until she died at 100, sat in front of her little house and gave to passing Pilgrims the only thing she had. Water, figs from a tree in her garden, and love. Since her death, her daughter, now an old woman herself, has taken her place and greets Pilgrims each day with water, figs and love.
Then there is Marcelino who sets up a stand with fruits and cookies for Pilgrims. He also has a van and drives some of the road stretches of the Camino to help Pilgrims in need.
We also met Robert from England who walked the Camino and wanted to give something back. Each year he comes in his camper and sets up along side a lonely stretch of the Camino and offers English tea and cookies and first aid and foot care to passing Pilgrims.
These and others like them are truly "Angels of the Camino" and ask nothing in return for their love and kindness. They have a small donation box on their stand, but treat all the same, whether they give or not.
I know there are many more like them. And I know that I am very grateful to those that I have had the pleasure of meeting and talking with.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
ánimo, rita, he seguido día a día tu camino, acompañando tus pasos y enviándote mis energías, recibe mi amor y mi admiración....¡ que santiago te acompañe ¡ :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Mom! How nice to meet so many genuinely caring and giving people. It was so great to hear from Dad today. You are making great progress and have plenty of time to get to Sarria to meet Heidi and Ellen. I am glad you plan to pace yourself through the mountains. I will have the girls visit your blog again. Miss you guys, Love, Susan
ReplyDeletehey grammmy! (:
ReplyDeleteyouve made it so far. i cant believe it. goood thing youdidnt take me i would be complaining the whole way! haha. im glad grandpa is staying with you, but ill miss him alot. i cant wait until you come home!
love you,
amber
hey gram,
ReplyDeleteWhile i do miss you very much, i am gald to hear you are having a good time. you have been hiking so much! Are your legs sore? that man that sets up his stand everyday sounds very nice, and you were right to call him an angel. it is refreshing to hear that so many people are giving away there time food water and love everyday, for the "pilgrims" i thought this was very kind of them. i can hardly believe how far you have gone, and when you return i will be very happy. have fun, and know that i miss you
love,
holly
Hi Rita, How nice to see so many "angels" there to help. That is just so special... I'm sure you took advantage of this help and care-giving. That fresh fruit sounds wonderful.
ReplyDeleteHave a good day tomororow.
Hugs,
Betsy
I enlarged your photo -- what a marvelous cross and incredible view! It fills my heart to read about these self-less angels!
ReplyDeleteI rememeber very clearly arriving at that cross - which was shrouded in mist.
ReplyDelete