Camino Magic

I woke up this morning to snow outside my window, and I was very glad I was not going to ascend another thousand meters to start walking.

There’s no public transport until July, so a taxi was my only choice. The talk turned to Spanish politics and I once again heard a lot of anger-about corrupt politicians who bring in immigrants and give them housing and a stipend in exchange for votes, anti-globalization, corrupt politicians. I have heard this from at least 5 people I’ve talked to on this Camino. I don’t think I’ve been walking in a particularly right wing part of Spain, but I’ve heard more discontent with the PSOE than I’ve ever heard.
And not just discontent, real anger.

When I got down to Potes, I decided that maybe I could walk a few kilometers north, just to get my feet moving. There is an albergue about 9 kms from here, and the hospitalero told me to come on up.

It was a beautiful walk, mostly on asphalt but on untraveled roads. I got to the albergue around 3 and heard a lot of noise inside. Nine peregrinos sitting around the table waiting for lunch. All of course are going in the opposite direction. I was invited to sit down, and from there on the party started.

We had a great paella lunch, and then the local cheese maker paid a visit and took us down to his place. We had delicious cheese and wine, and I was sorry that I couldn’t carry any in my pack.

Then came dinner, and then a visit to the farm whose cows gave the milk for the cheese maker.

Miki is a hospitalero who would be in the camino hall of fame if he were on a traveled camino. He takes excellent care of his peregrinos and loves what he does.

It was one of those intense camino experiences, making immediate connections with people and enjoying life together. I had no idea when I started out today, that this would be such a joyful day.Read more