El Camino - The Way #34

This morning we were greeted with fog - now in the Galicia region with a lot more green plants - more humidity which means our hiking clothes will be filled with perspiration very early in the day.  This albergue A Reboleira - one fo the best we stayed at - the evening community dinner made a big difference.  Often when we do even simple tasks - it's the simple things that make our experience even better - a simple Our Father - Hail Mary - can make a world of difference.

Our pilgrims from Australia getting their bike ready to leave 

Walking in the fog near the road - when our minds are in a fog - time to stop - rest

At this point seeing pilgrims ahead of us had become normal 

unlike all the previous days when we were alone 

And like that - more

Living on the edge - sitting on the ledge - yes big drop behind us 

As we walked up the mountain - we ended up inside the fog 

The Camino waymarks getting more frequent - many pilgrims place stones on top as prayers similar to lighting a candle - we left 500 Saint Gianna prayer cards as we walked

A down hill path hiding us from the hot sun 

And then we were back in the sun

Shade - but hard to see the rocks and tree stumps in the path 

Passing an 800 year old mill house

Made it to Triacastela  time to look for an albergue

Found it - time for a shower - dry clothes and you know what follows

Vino y Tapas

This was another shorter day - we are not in a rush - we allowed 7 weeks total and at this point we were ahead of the schedule because we jumped a few times mainly because of that blister on my foot that refused to heal.  Continuing our Lenten journey we still have about a week before Holy Week - so two weeks before Easter - still lots of time to make this Lent significant.

Deacon Dale 

El Camino - The Way #33

When I originally blogged about this day I titled it - Living on the Edge - a lot of our walking on this particular day involved walking close to the edge of the trail - Living on the edge - daring to go somewhere - to do something - out of the ordinary. Many people - individuals - couples - groups - dare to go beyond what is comfortable - to experience life beyond the ordinary. Experiencing the Camino de Santiago - places every participant - on the edge. Moved from an ordinary life - where almost everything is scripted - to an extraordinary experience - where every day is different from the day before - is living on the edge.  In Lent we are called to also - live on the edge - to do things we are not completely comfortable with - just as Jesus has called us to go out - proclaim the Gospel - whether convenient or not - comfortable - uncomfortable - to do as He commanded.  We walk by faith - knowing that He - the Lord of Lords - is with us constantly.  

Exchanging the dry browns for luscious green

In the hot days on the Camino - walking along these paths - shaded

 from the sun - 100F not so bad 

Alto de San Rogue Pilgrim Statue - another high point - literally

The town named Hospital - 145 Km away from Santiago 

And one day God painted the world with views like this - awesome

Old but still functional - NO matter what our age -no matter what our limitations

We are instruments of God - Never useless - no matter what anyone says 

As we get closer to the town of Sarria - more pilgrims joining the trail

At the top of the hill above - the last half of a kilometer was very difficult with a very steep ascent - we were rewarded at the top with a peregrino bar where we recovered with some cool drinks and a Bocadilla. To our surprise we ran into Beatriz and Jorge who we had shared a room with two nights previously. Energized we continued for another 5 kilometers to Fonfria our end point for today.

Today for our albergue - the Host insisted that we take a private double bed - cost only €20 but hard to rent to single pilgrims on tight budgets - we happily accommodated - same price for us compared to two single bunks and more comfy 

The dinning room across the street from the albergue - a renovated barn - Dinner included in the cost of  the bed & shower - Our second community meal - shared with all staying the night

felt like a 5-start restaurant in service and quality 

International pilgrims

Sharing tasks with each other 

Fellow from Barcelona on left 

Tonight we experienced a community pilgrim dinner - all those eating are from the Albergue Reboleira in Fonfria. Our walk today brought us only 12 kilometers closer - but we did a lot of steep hills which slowed us down. We are still happy with our progress and our albergue today is very nice.  At dinner conversation was lively and fun talking with Hendrik - from Germany - Evan and Sue from Australia who are tandem bicycling to Santiago and Andrea and Stefania from Italy. The restaurant staff sat us as couples next to each other but across and next to complete strangers which helped spark the excellent mealtime experience. As we get closer to Sarria - the number of peregrinos will increase dramatically as Sarria is the last city one can start from to qualify for the coveted Compostela - certifying that they have walked a minimum of 100 kilometers to Santiago.

Circular table encourages conversation with others 

albergue lounge 

This day was a very good day - difficult up hills - only walked 12 Km but progress of any kind - always good. As we end today with our prayers for thanksgiving - asking for blessing for whatever will come tomorrow - we thank Jesus for His faithfulness - that He is always with us.

Deacon Dale  

El Camino - The Way #32

Good morning - praying that this day finds you in good spirits - this day on pilgrimage we walked along the highway - flat surface - we learned that the dirt path was more comfortable for the feet - more cushion on soil.  This day more incline - again heading up the mountain.  Another pilgrim ahead on the left - we are not alone - Jesus always next to us.  Our goal today O'Cebreiro - site of a Eucharistic miracle.

Further along rocky mountain side - another babbling stream of 

water - making this section peaceful 

Warning sign - steep incline - slow our pace - conserve energy

By now in Lent many trying desperately to catch up - better to rest in the Lord

Pilgrims ahead approaching another albergue & food 

Approaching the Galicia region - leaving brown behind - much greener - more rain 

Just ahead a very challenging uphill through the mountains to O'Cebreiro

At this point we needed to take a break - we had completed 20 kilometers by 11:30 and were feeling good but not looking forward to the last 10 kilometers - the steep incline promised to be more than we should attempt - what to do? As we were walking we came to a cafe and on its awning it said - food - drink - taxi. Yes - we asked for all three and the young lady behind the counter provided all three. We had to wait for forty-five minutes - but in the end we arrived in O'Cebreiro - still alive and breathing!

Father Don Elias Valina Sampedro 

The Camino de Santiago is thousands of years old - from the time of Saint James. Christianity had been spreading throughout the world. The Apostles were very active in traveling to the known world spreading the Gospel. Saint James had focused on Spain and made multiple trips to Spain. Over that time of thousands of years - with growth and development - the original Camino trail has been modified. At one point it had fallen into a sad state because of robbers focusing on pilgrims - robbing them of their money - clothes - even killing some. That was what the Knights Templars were doing - protecting pilgrims as they walked.

Father Sampedo renovated the Camino - He is the one who came up with the yellow arrows painted on roads - buildings - to help pilgrims avoid getting lost - following safe paths - in the late 60s others helped to renew interest in the Camino - approximately a quarter of a million pilgrims from around the world walk this Camino these days.

Father Sampedro buried inside  the church floor 

Statue of Saint Francis - church maintained by Franciscans 

Adoration Chapel

One of the attractions to O'Cebreiro is Iglesia de Santa Maria Real - one of the earliest surviving buildings on the Camino de Santiago - dating from the 9th century and associated with the Pilgrim Way. On display and venerated by pilgrims is the chalice and paten associated with the miracle of O'Cebreiro Santo Milagro - in which an arrogant celebrant of Holy Mass - dismissive of a devout and humble peasant - saw the bread and wine turn into the body and blood of Christ as he offered them to the peasant who had risked life and limb to attend Holy Mass in a terrible snowstorm.  The priest thought - why am I here for this single person - who showed up in this storm and made me celebrate Mass - the priest got his answer when the bread and wine were transformed into flesh & blood before his eyes. Often in Lent we ask ourselves the same question - why am I here - why am I doing this - what is the reason - we wait - in expectant faith for the answer. 

Evening Holy Mass - 5:00 PM 

Followed by a pilgrim's dinner - then blogging about the day's events 

View from the top - very impressive - major tourist attraction 

Lots of people here - pilgrims on foot - many tourists in cars - vacationers

Food - drink - dinner - bed 

Another Camino day - a lot of walking - making it to our final destination - 151 Kilometers to Santiago - we are in good shape. Tomorrow - another day - another adventure 

Thank you Lord

Deacon Dale

El Camino - The Way #31

Another sunny morning - best way to wake up each morning - even when overcast - thanking God for another day of life - starting our day with a positive attitude. If yesterday did not go as expected - another chance to get it right - new days - new opportunities. This day on Camino on our way out of Ponferrada - decided to investigate the Knights Templar Castle a 12th century structure.  It was early - so doors locked but we browsed outside for a bit.  Very often in Lent  many lurk outside - watching what others do - how they do it - our time spent with Jesus - observed by some - hopefully encouraging them to do likewise. 

Knock Knock - Anyone home - nope 

Lots of stone - pretty much what you would expect 

The Knights Templar were a Catholic military order founded in 1119, headquartered on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. The order was active until 1312 when it was perpetually suppressed. The Templars became a favored charity throughout Christendom - and grew rapidly in membership and power. They were prominent in Christian finance. Templar knights, in their distinctive white Mantles with a red cross - were amongst the most skilled fighting units of the Crusades - non-combatant members of the order - made up as much as 90% of their members The Templars were closely tied to the Crusades - when the Holy Land was lost support for the order faded.  Rumors about the Templars' secret initiation ceremony created distrust and King Phillip IV of France took advantage of this distrust to destroy them and was able to convince Pope Clement V to disband the order.  A warning to all who come in power - when they abuse that power.  In Lent we ask - when have I taken advantage of a situation that benefited only myself - not others.  Time for confession - Lord have Mercy on me - a sinner. 

Our next destination of Villafrance Del Bierzo - wandering through this village - a medieval town with buildings and bridges that testify to its authenticity. 

End of bridge - pilgrim statue with walking staff & cross

Renovated bridge with Camino shell 

Wandering through the village - lost in prayer 

Village built on the mountains 

Time for vino tinto y vino blanco y tapas

Auberge de la Piedra

Built in 2008 by a husband and wife team - built into the mountain side

Notice the wall built around the natural rock mountain side - keeping it real  

Our room with twin metal bunk beds

Shared with a young couple just starting their Camino - Beatriz and Jorge - only had one week to walk the last 100Km of the Camino - Met up with them two days later - Jorge was following my blog - wanted to know how I knew the correct spelling of his name when cousins and classmates could never get it correct

Festival 

The village was noisy at night due to a local festival  - did not disrupt our Camino - we had slept through worse.  Those who live along the Camino tend to sleep late - stay up routinely past midnight - eating - drinking - singing below your windows.  Despite any interruptions during Lent - always time for prayer - even if late at night before you fall asleep - quality - not quantity.

Deacon Dale