Day 6
Another great day for a walk. I headed out of the albergue just after 6:00. It’s always nice to walk in the cool of the day, in the quiet, by the light of the moon, and watch the sun come up over the horizon.
Last night I had dinner with three English-speaking pilgrims in the plaza. We’re walking the same basic pace. Tonight we’re all staying at the Convento and will throw our laundry in together. I haven’t used a real washing machine since I got here and my hand-wash laundry skills are a bit lacking.
I was dreading the walk up the mountain a bit but this time of year it’s so dry that it was really no problem. I remember last time the rocks were slippery and between the mud and puddles, we were fighting for every step.
The stone walls and old rock-wall buildings were quite impressive. Also, I always love a good wooden door!
Toward the top of the mountain the foliage include heather and brush.
The top of the mountain is sunny and has a lovely breeze. It was such a relief to get up here in good time. By 3:00 we had checked in, showered, and started laundry.
Today is Sunday, the 25th of July, in a year of Jubilee. It is a special day on the Camino. In the Catholic tradition, a saint’s ‘day’ is not their birthday, it’s the date their death is commemorated. The Camino leads to Santiago and the remains of the disciple James, who was a missionary to Spain. His ‘saint’s day’ is celebrated on July 25th. Sunday is already a special day in the Christian faith. And, as a tradition, when a saint’s ‘day’ happens that year on a Sunday – it’s called a year of Jubilee. Tonight there will be a huge festival in Santiago and all across Spain there will be fireworks! Not sure if there will be any in this tiny town – but we’re high enough up on the mountain that if there are any in the valley below, we might be able to see them.
Happy Sunday, wherever you are!
More later…
PS. No fireworks for this crew. My new friends and walking buddies and I had dinner together then an early night.
How was the firework display? St James was always a fan of fireworks (or so legend has it). The purple heather is out on our dog walk now and looks to be out on the mountain tops with you. It will stay with us now until the autumn as it changes colour. Glad you have good company with real fellow travellers and not just virtual ones (although I have a light wash that could go in the machine with a few others bits!)