Days Eight and Nine

Day 8 was a rest day so not much to tell there! Today brought a 14 mile walk/hike from Sarria to Portomarin. The weather was temperate, which was a welcome change. It was lovely to walk through so many trees. Many nooks and crannies seemed almost enchanted!

As I left a village, I noticed an elderly gentleman carving walking sticks. I said “Hola” and he reached into his pocket and produced a walnut for me. I have learned now to accept what is offered and I smiled to myself as I walked away. He asked for me to pray for him in Santiago.

We passed the 100 kilometer mark, which is the minimum one must walk to receive a certificate in Santiago de Compostela. More pilgrims join at this juncture. We are like a river moving together, each of us carrying our own reasons for walking, all of us enduring the same things. It is a community without knowing everyone, but a community nonetheless. We all continue to wish each other a Buen Camino as we walk by and everyone looks out for each other. I’ve never experienced anything quite like it. Alone, yet together…

On my final descent tonight, there were literal footprints in the stone, carved after hundreds of years of pilgrims traveling down the same path. Those saints of old point the way. We are all part of this community of pilgrims- from yesteryear to today.