Hospital de Grañón

Spending a night in a donation based, volunteer staffed hostel was a delightful contrast to the 4star experience of a few nights ago.

I enjoy both, for very different reasons.

Highlights include a family style dinner for about 40 people with pasta made by Italian cooks, salad made by Americans, a lentil/nettle stew made by Spaniards and French people, along with wine and bread. Conversation flowed in a mashup of European and hand-gestures and smiles.

The Camino has a tradition of getting stamps in a "Credential": A paper passport. This Hospital (from the word hospitality) offers hugs instead... It had a distinctly sedate Burning Man feel to it in a nurturing inclusive way. The evening culminated in a candlelight ceremony in the choir section of the church (Cathedral? Big place for a town of 250 people) where we were seated in the hundreds-years-old choir stalls, sharing a bit of insight into our journeys. It was moving.

I am glad that I stopped and feel richer for it.Read more