Pilgrimage on a winding path

As I reflect on my Camino de Santiago experience, I want to share about my fellow pilgrims.  Something became obvious quickly - our brief time on the Camino would impact the opportunity to get to know other pilgrims on the way. The day before we began we were in Santiago doing laundry. We met two pilgrims that had just completed the journey after beginning in St Jean, France more than a month before.  They shared stories about their experience and how a group had become friends during the long trek. The young woman shared that she was sad for the trip to end, even though they had walked hundreds of miles, and she was envious that we were just beginning.  During our journey we did meet a number of interesting fellow pilgrims. They came from all over the world and had a variety of different life experiences that brought them to the pilgrimage.  There was a woman from New York who began in France, but a chronic health condition flared up and she needed to end early and ...

After our Camino ended, we spent a few days in Porto and Lisbon with our friends before returning home.  Carrie and Jerry’s kids, Ben, John, and Jane, joined us in Porto. Their work and college schedules didn’t allow for them to participate in the Camino. We were so happy to spend several days all together in Portugal! Portugal is beautiful! My favorite part was seeing all the Portuguese tiles. They cover the facades of many buildings and give a very unique look to the old cities.  Our VRBO in Porto was very much not as advertised on the website. It was disappointing, but now we find the comedy in the situation. There are many stories that will make us laugh as we remember them for years to come.  When we arrived we were met by the grandma who manages the house. Even though it was past check in time, she was still cleaning and making the beds. She did offer us a bottle of port that we believe she made, though none of us speak Portuguese so we aren’t fully sure.  Ther...