Day: June 3, 2017

I’m not a religious person but I do understand kindness, whatever the motivation. I have been touched by the kindness of Sister Carmen and the other Sisters here. I offered to help wash dishes after dinner, which made them laugh because they had a dishwasher but, it made them happy, S. Carmen said that no one has asked before. She kissed me on both cheeks and said gracias. How do you top that? Gracias to you! Everyday is a delightful surprise.

Going to make the best of our forced jump. During our planning and changes, I went A to B then B to D, skipping a day and too far on a sore knee to make up. It’s further complicated by the lack of facilities in this area. So, taxi from Castrojeriz to Carrion, skipping Fromista. Watching the Pilgrims, I think we all felt a bit guilty and envious. Weird but true.

Staying with a religious order, Casa de Espiritualidad N.S. de Belin run by the Philippine Brothers. Sister Carmen met us graciously and a single room with bath, dinner and breakfast is 38€, a fair deal in my mind. Sister Edith, originally from Cuba but lived in the US for 30 years came out to speak with the Americans, very interesting life. She was born in Cuba but her family was forced to leave during the revolution. She moved to South Florida and then the Order sent her to Columbia to treat addicts. Caught in a cross fire between the cartel and the Army, she was told to leave “before your blood wets the soil”. She returned to the US where she treated AIDS/HIV patients before she retired. An incredible woman.

Icing my knee, then we’ll go look around and I’ll pick up from there.

Walked around town, we often don’t have much time for that. Checked out the iglesia de Sta. Maria del Camino whose frieze depicts the annual ritual of turning over 100 virgins to the Moors. The village prayed for help and a herd of bulls chased the Moors out of the city. Not quite as amazing as the magic chickens in Sto. Domingo but still an interesting story. Had to check out Plaza del Generalismo Franco too. As Chevy Chase would say, he’s still dead.

Met friends for drinks, Mark (Australia), Timme and Denis (Germany). Everyone getting ready for the big Futbol match between Juventus and Madrid Real, not quite the World Cup but it was a big deal.

I am so lucky to be on this journey, the people and their stories are a greater reward than I could have ever expected. I feel very safe here.