Downshift Musings

We made it, again

Another pilgrimage is complete. We arrived before noon after an early start (mostly due to being woken at 4 am by some Portuguese hostel companions who thought they were departing quietly.

I have a lot to write about the previous 3 days that we spent on the spiritual variant, but last night and today were special because we walked with an Israeli pilgrim named David. I will never forget the experience of my life intersecting with his, even if it was for less than 24 hours. What amazing sharing of life we experienced. This is the “why” of the Camino. I spoke with him for hours yesterday while we rested our feet in a pool and then all morning today.

Last night we had a communal meal and had some really interesting conversations with some Portuguese pilgrims too, a lot of conversation about real estate and the impact of foreigners buying up Portuguese homes. We also met an Asian-American actress named Christine from California.

Now, we just finished up laundry chores, a street musician is playing outside our window, and we’re going to head to Pilgrim mass in the cathedral. Tomorrow we start the 5 day Camino Finisterre out to the cape.