New Friends

Day Nine (Camino de San Salvador Completo)

Camino Primitivo Day Two - Paládin to Casazorrina

“The world is full of magical things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper.”

—W.B. Yeats

To sit with three women, different countries, different ages, different lives, but yet together as one flirt with Pablo at Villa Palatina, share a meal, watch a storm roll in, drink wine and then collapse in our bunks after yesterday’s walk - that is the Camino. And yes, it is magical.

Last night’s storm continued on for a bit today. Seeing lightening in the distance and walking with metal poles is not a comfortable feeling, but that’s what we did. Once the drama of the storm subsided, what a glorious day it became! It was a long one (16 miles), but my reward is being at one of the most beautiful albergues I’ve ever been in - La Figal de Xogobolos in Casazorrina. I wish I could stay a week here. Honestly, I wish I could just move in permanently.

I found myself emotional today, more than once. My pack was heavy, the air was humid, my feet ached, and yet I kept walking. The landscape was one of rolling hills and mountains just visible in the distance. The apples trees in Asturias are ancient and so heavy with fruit! I walked past gardens where other fruit tree limbs were bent down as well - lemons, kiwi, limes, oranges, figs, plums and pears. It seemed as though the Primitivo was showing herself off as a reimbursement for me continuing to walk when I was so tired.

How do you explain the Camino? Friendship, community, being outside and experiencing the glorious beauty of Spain, and most importantly perhaps, time to roll around in your own head for a bit without distraction. And then the day ends, the moon appears, and you set the hard things aside and flirt a little with Pablo, laugh with new friends and get up the next morning and do it all over again.