“I love people who make me laugh. I honestly think it’s the thing I like the most, to laugh. It cures a multitude of ills. It’s probably the most important thing in a person.” Audrey Hepburn
I have met so many wonderful people and had many amazing and thought-provoking moments that I’d love to tell you about but I’m pooped. So this post is going to include more photos than words because 1. I’m exhausted after all the walking and writing…and translating. 2. We are so close to the end and the pilgrims are hanging out much more so a.) I want to spend more time with them and be in the moment and b.) my alone time to write is limited. 3. The photos are more beautiful than any words I could write about what I witnessed today.
So, let’s get to it.
I ate breakfast with my new Kiwi buddy, Hammond this morning. He is a smart and witty “bloke.” He makes me laugh and I enjoy his company.
I walked alone for the first part of the day. It was absolutely gorgeous. A dirt path running parallel to a stream and a thick green forest enveloping the pilgrims.
I walked a few sections with Milena and Louise and other parts with Sarah and Gabino. I enjoyed it all to be honest. Walking through the woods alone and listening to the rushing water and chirping birds had a profound effect on my mood. I found myself smiling as I walked.
I loved watching the light stream through the trees as the trail glided back and forth. At one point there was a clearing and we walked through a field. If you looked back you could see the moon.
The air was so fresh and clean and every now and again, I’d get a whiff of an aromatic plant that would give me a little burst of energy. At a few different points, the trail had access to the stream so I walked down to the edge, cupped my hand and drank straight from the stream. It was cold and refreshing. I’m definitely an experiential learner.
Nature really is the best medicine. The only thing better would have been walking barefoot to connect fully with Mother Earth.
Milena and I took a coffee break and ran into Sarah and Gabino along with some other pilgrims from the US. I found out that they live in the southern tip of Illinois. Three lovely women, just walking across Spain together.
While we were inside, it started pouring rain so we waited it out and then began again. The sun came out from behind the clouds and it got a bit steamy. I had to take off my long sleeve shirt.
I emailed Hammond to let him know we made it to town and we were eating lunch at a restaurant around the corner from the hostel. I was hoping to introduce him to Louise (the other Kiwi). And wouldn’t you know it, he showed up!
Louise and Hammond has a couple of people in common and they seemed to have hit it off like a house on fire.
Hammond is a ham. He makes me laugh and laugh until I almost cry. He was a good sport to play along with all my silly requests to pose with the statues (no traffic mirrors in site) before we all went to dinner later in the evening. So, I bring you, the many faces of Hammond. Everyone needs a Hammond in their life. Oh how I wish I would have met him sooner. Today is our last day hanging out together. He is arriving in Santiago earlier than me but I hope to see him again.
Eight of us went out to dinner and apparently we were having so much fun we forgot to take a photo of the group but we did get a couple of pics of the food…and a special photo of everyone taking a photo of the food. Ahh, the digital age.
If you don’t know what a “budgie smuggler” is…look it up. We laughed too hard at this phrase and then discussed what this particular item is called in all of our countries. Americans had the most lame name for it and the Germans win with “Liebestöter” translation in English: “love destroyer.”
We are in a nice hostel this evening (great shower…and a washer/dryer combo!) and tonight is my first night on the top bunk. For 36 days in a row I have somehow lucked out and gotten a bottom bunk…until now. And this one is pretty high up. When I almost missed a rung on the ladder, I told Hammond my obit would read: Emily passed away tragically after falling out of the top bunk bed on the Portuguese Camino. And here we all thought too much walking would be the culprit. Buen Camino. RIP 🛌
Goodnight and much love & gratitude from Spain! 🇪🇸
PS: Try and find someone to laugh with today, if you can. The world could use more laughter right about now.
Scenes from Day 36
I had to hide under this shelter during a torrential downpour! I passed the time by practicing my Italian language session on Duolingo. Completed day 130! ✔️
But then the sun came out and it was back to the trail. The puddles created some beautiful reflections.
Bread box.
