Day 30 - The Pilgrims Give Thanks

Oct 11

Destination - Merchadorio

Distance - 22 km

Hours of walking - 8:00 - 3:30

Terrain - a bit of everything, delightful and hard

Weather - cool and pleasant for walking

Nature - a bit of everything - more of everything the barnyards can dish out

Misadventure - 

We left Pintin with a hot cup of coffee to fuel us. With the joy of Dee's birthday behind us, we were full of thanks and thinking of our family celebrating at home. 

We started out in the dark and made great time for breakfast to Sarria. 

Boots in along an arrow in Sarria

Pretty excited to get to Sarria - 125km to Santiago 

An amazing pilgrim mural 

The walk out of Sarria was a challenge. Tough climbing but the weather was perfect for it. It was incredible to reach the top and see where we had come from. Just as in life, the Camino is trying to teach us to celebrate the amazing views of your accomplishments. 

It was an amazing walk complete with a picnic on the side of the road. 

Later in the day, it was decided that I would walk forward quickly to ensure that we could get a place to stay. Sarria marks the last spot that a person can start the pilgrimage and get their credentials when they reach Santiago. That results in the trail being busier and beds being at a premium. So I walked quickly at the end of the day and was tired and very hopeful to get a bed when I reached the prearranged destination. It is hard to describe the feeling of arriving in a strange place, without your travelling companions and not know if you can stay. I was so relieved when I was standing in the reception area to hear 'Happy thanksgiving Brenda!' I turned around and found our friend Jake, whom we have been running into on the Camino for two days. Jake and his brother Jesse are in Spain from Ontario to spend time with their dad Brian. It was such an incredible feeling to see them, have them assure me the Alburge was good and that we would be spending Thanksgiving night with Canadians. 

After settling in, we went to supper for a delightful pilgrim meal in an amazing building. We found that around the table to thirteen people, nine of us were Canadian so we declared it Thanksgiving in Spain. 

Beautiful stone dining area

Our Thanksgiving table

Out special Canadian friends - Jake, Jessie and Brian

A wonderful chicken stew, almost like turkey 

Vanilla cream - with cinnamon - warmed the heart like pumpkin pie

As in the tradition at home, we talked about what we were thankful for. We said what we had brought with us that we were thankful for:

Dee - her blue 'going to town' pants (we love them too!)

Wendy - her purple down filled coat

Jake - his touque (good Canadian boy!)

Jessie - rain gear

Brian - Vaseline for his feet

Brenda - walking poles - wouldn't have made it without them

At home, families celebrated together. We miss everyone and our heart was warmed to be a photo of people together 

Wendy and Brenda's family gathering 

My special message from Haley

Cheer of the day from Wendy - my cheer goes out to strong Spanish ibuprofen, KT tape and my new Camino footwear that has kept me moving on the Camino. One boot and one sandal is going to be the fashion rage. 

I've always said Wendy can wear a paper bag and look classy!