Scott Paul

and he'll take a cluster.

Pilgrims are a rather unkempt, smelly and disheveled bunch until rejuvenating showers in the late afternoom make us human again. In the big cities we stick out like sore thumbs, often our laundry blowing in the breeze, safety pinned to our backpacks to dry wet socks or shirts.

Notwithstanding our appearances we will invariably be greeted by complete strangers with a genuine "Buen Camino" -- literally have a good Camino. Last week, Coleen and I walked along a dirt path where a Spanish troop of about 70 khaki clad soldiers wielding carbines were taking a rest-on-your-haunches break. We were treated with well wishes and dozens of Buen Caminos by smiling troops.

Perhaps we're not such a bad lot after all.En savoir plus