Day 3-A Beautiful Day

The bells rang today and I wasn’t ready. I walked out the hotel a little late (8:05) and discovered I was the only one on the street. No pilgrims ahead of me and non-behind. I thought it was because they were sleeping in. Not true, they had already left. After talking to several who are staying in the Alberges, I found they left around 7am. So I’m the one on a leisurely vacation. The weather was overcast, cool, with a little rain today, but the perfect temperature for walking…In the low 60’s. Every step of the way seemed like a postcard. We hiked over the Alto del Perdón with the Conquistador sculptures. There was also a memorial to some citizens who were unjustly massacred during the Franco years. It was deeply moving. It seems like in the 12th-14th century they put a church on every hill (with bells). Today I met a couple who were doing the Camino with a 7 month old baby; Mom and baby seemed fine. When I asked why, they said, “They met on the Camino…this is now their 3rd Camino and it just seemed right.” I also a young woman from Bulgaria who was “just getting away” and others from Australia. Tonight at dinner I talked to some young adults who met one another on the Camino…Montana, Ireland (who works at Bass Lake during the summer), Singapore, Germany, and Poland. Tonight I had a Pilgrim Meal…bread, wine, salad, baked chicken with fries, and a flan. I added a beer. Total cost - 15 euros (less than 20 dollars). You will see the pictures. Finally, last night I was walking to dinner and heard beautiful choral music, so I walked in. It was a small chapel with amazing acoustics, and the choir matched the acoustics. As they sang, Kylie, Ellison (Lord, have mercy), I started to weep. My first thought was, “The Camino draws you in to the pilgrimage.” But later I thought, God is using the Camino to draw me to Him. Either way, this journey becomes more than a long walk. Perhaps the better word is a quest; to find what, only God knows. Buen Camino

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