This is part of a series of posts written on our Camino journey.
Post 7 Read the previous post here
Written by my sister Mary-Lou Navaratnam
8 May, 2019
(Err...this is pretty much my experience too, except that the argument was all my sister Mary-Lou's fault!)
After a little confusion with the entry to the park with the famous statues of the pilgrims sighting their first view of the cathedral (and our first argument of the Camino) we had to walk back about 100 metres. When we found our way back to the statues it was quite special to know that the pilgrims would have stood on this mound or nearby to get their first glimpse of the cathedral more than 1200 years ago. Their faith brought them here and the same faith was bringing us here more than a 1000 years later.
It had been my wish to stay at the Parador - Hostal dos Reis Católicos- that is right next to the cathedral. The building is over 500 years old and is the oldest building in the world to house a hotel. It had been built by Queen Isabel and King Ferdinand as a hospital for sick pilgrims. The building is stunning! The outside walls are over four foot thick. Our room was simply beautiful with a view over the town. The hotel is also a museum and you can take guided tours.
You only need a little in life to survive Kindness to others is so important Family and friends are essential Our lord and our faith is central to everything. If you have a good foundation just like good boots you can do almost anything Never underestimate yourself Good values are an asset A few kinds words go a long way
Clothing - had carried far too much. Hairdryer - was available in three of the eight hotels we stayed at. Most useful item - Electric kettle as none of the hotels provided one Handbag - got used every evening - knew I was right to take one Blisters / sore feet / aches and pains- amazingly none! Medicine - did not need to use Favourite Camino stamp - that of Jesus on the cross with one arm stretched downwards - to give a helping hand to the peregrinos.
Favourite food on Camino- Galician pie Favourite treat - undoubtedly Santiago tart Surprise foodie discovery - Arzúa cheese eaten with quince jelly Most like East Indian food - filling of Galician pie (like chilli fry) and quiche jelly similar to guava cheese Favourite drink on Camino -fresh orange juice and yes ok the lovely wine
Least enjoyable activity- packing and repacking our bags Most fun on the Camino- the Camino girls from California
Effortless walkers- the saunterers from Mexico who just glided on the Camino and were always faster than most other peregrinos Most inspiring - the 80 plus year old man from Wales who had walked the entire 850kms with his back pack and stayed in the hostels enroute Wish we had met earlier - the amusing Aussie guy from Sydney who we met when leaving who used ‘gentle’ expletives to describe the Camino and who showed us pics of him on Camino walking through snow in his shorts Most blisters - the chap from Folkestone with England flags and England peregrino shell who could barely walk to the aircraft - but was still most cheerful Most adventurous- the well travelled young French couple who are returning to do the Camino Primitivo in the summer.
Book I wanted but did not get - ‘Sweets and Deserts of Melide! As only available in Spanish - such a shame Real coincidence - Suzanne the Lutheran pastor from outside Seattle who knew about East Indians (the community we come from) Buddi’s secret in Camino - eating stashes of Dairy milk chocolate Loudest on Camino - Val from Toronto and some Italian peregrinos who face timed whist walking! Best meal - the tapas in the small tapas bar in Santiago Secret indulgence - consumption of numerous ice creams The prettiest flowers - so many on Camino but think the beautiful arum lilies growing wild in the villages and forests
Strongest willed - the handicapped young chap who did the Camino in a specially adapted wheelchair with help of friends Close to our heart - the blind Chinese woman who walked the Camino with only the aid of her white stick Gravity defying - the petite young Japanese girl carrying two enormous backpacks easily weighing more than her total body weight Most polite - the Japanese lady who so gently complained about her tour guide telling her off for chatting on the Camino Most bland food -Galician soup Most entertaining - the blind Knight Templar in the tiny chapel Most beautiful view - all views were fabulous but the view on the second day with the clouds in the valley below us Annoying on Camino - the narrow, long pillows in each hotel Buddu’s obsession- the horeos- the traditional outdoor structures used for storage of grain etc
My obsession- the yellow Camino marker signs Favourite dog on Camino - Coco Danger on Camino - having to cross equivalent of A roads with no defined crossing points, cars whizzing past Amusement on Camino - seeing other peregrinos carry their washing to dry, hanging on hangers from their backpacks Fights with sister- one - on her part - not me References to Mother Teresa since finishing Camino - two in less than 24 hours - is the saint trying to tell me to go on another Camino like she did with the first ?
Thank you for all your words of encouragement and for your support. I thought and prayed for each of you. And yes I just cannot wait to go on a Camino Santiago again..........
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