The band is breaking up day by day. Yesterday, we said goodbye to Jakob and Caroline from Denmark. Today, the remaining crew started to go their own ways. Yunri is going to Finesterre. Stephen is staying in Santiago for a few more days until his flight on Wednesday to Milan where he will start his next Camino – the Francigena – the road to Rome. Hyekyung caught a bus to Porto this afternoon. Pablo and Dora walked out of Santiago towards Muxia with the first overnight stop in Pena. I took the bus & taxi to the same place because my leg needs more rest but I’d like to see Muxia with these guys. Goodbyes are always bittersweet. Life continues to keep moving us forward but the memories we’ve made will last forever.
I met some wonderful Americans, Gary and Darryl-Anne from Florida today at a café in Negreira (the town I had to transfer from the bus to a taxi). We were all on the bus together and got off at the same stop. I noticed that Gary had a Key West hat on and then I heard them speaking English. We exchanged pleasantries and proceeded to have one of the most enjoyable conversations I’ve had on the Camino. We talked for three hours. It was lovely. These two are still in crazy love after 27 years of marriage. It was very sweet. They shared stories of their adventures and travels together. They hiked the Appalachian trail together in 2019 – the whole thing. Yes, the whole thing – 6 months of hiking. They also did the (original) marathon in Greece together. I was so inspired and in awe of them and their relationship. It was really beautiful. We exchanged Instagram info so I hope our paths will cross again some day – sooner than later. I really enjoyed spending time with them.
After a quick stop in the supermarket to get some fruit for me and some surprise donuts for Dora…I found some fun ones and she loves donuts! 🍩 Francisco, aka Franc, pulled up in a station wagon, with the window rolled down and wearing shades. He looked like a baller. He pointed at me and I said, “Pablo” (since Pablo made the reservation, he told me to say his name), “Si,” he replied. We threw my bag in the back and he told me to get in the front. Franc was hilarious. He was super bubbly and didn’t speak a lick of English (which he shouldn’t have to in his own country) so I used Google translate to record and translate our conversation. Technology is so helpful sometimes. He was speaking so fast I couldn’t keep up without it. He would tap my leg with the back of his hand when he got excited to point out something on the way…big green trees, the Camino arrows, pilgrims, etc. I love that as humans, even though we don’t all speak the same verbal language, we can express and understand so much through our energy, facial expressions and hand gestures. 🤌 Capisce?
Stephen is still taunting me with Melanie jokes. 🤦♀️
We had a pilgrim meal in our hostel tonight! I love the big pilgrim meals with the food served family style. We had lentil soup, pasta with bolognese, wine and Santiago cake for dessert. ❤️
Goodnight and much love from Spain. 🇪🇸
