Turn the next page (by Laura)
Hi all!
Hamsa and I are in Madrid right now. We just arrived from Santiago a few hours ago, and we leave early in the morning for Bologna. So we are in limbo at the moment. Weŕe just strolling around the city, hanging out, looking at old stuff, eating chocolate.
It’s a little weird to be in a big city again. I already miss Galicia (and not just the tetillas!) Last night I couldn’t sleep. Partially because, I think, I realized the Camino was really over for me (physically anyway) once I left Santiago. I am coming back to walk the entire Camino Frances, I just want you all to know that. So, anyway, I couldn’t sleep. Hamsa was safe and snug in his bed, snoring away. The people in the next building kept yelling for him to roll over, but he was oblivious. So, I decided to stroll around the city by myself, and say goodbye.
I saw other pilgrims with the same idea, and we were all converging in front of the Cathedral. We seemed to have some sort of understanding about the sanctity of the scene there. This is what I saw
The seagulls were flying overhead, dipping and diving just for the pleasure of it. (I guess some of them had read Jonathan Livingston Seagull) And the rain was gently falling, and the wind was blowing, and there was a bloke playing music on his guitar and singing in the most lovely tenor voice under the arches where the acoustics just lifted his songs into the air around us. You know how sometimes in your life you have one of those magical moments that you just want to hold on to and remember forever? Yeah, it was like that. And all around me were weary, grateful pilgrims feeling the same way. Man, life can be so freakin’ cool, you know?
So, remember the awesome Spanish men Hamsa and I met on the Camino? Here’s a picture of them, when we were taking a break one day. You can see the four dogs, too. They are giving Cristobal all of their attention, prob because he was eating some sort of meat. You know how dogs are – always hungry.
The alpha, Roch, looks especially dapper in his hat!
Oh, speaking of travel buddies, have I mentioned who has been with me every single step of the way? Hint #1 – He’s quite handsome! #2 – He says ¨Make it so¨ in a voice that just melts me. #3 – He made bald sexy. Got it yet? That’s right! It’s my true love:
He’s such a gentleman. Holds my hand when we hike. A great listener. And he never snores. What do you think – should I go ahead and legally change my name to Mrs. Captain Picard?
Well, I have so many more dispatches from the road I want to post, so many things I want to share with you all. I will try to log on more often to keep you posted. I think I will have more internet access in the next few weeks. Rural Spain had limited opportunities, but I imagine urban Italy will prove different? If so, you will hear lots of stories about gelato, pasta, and sexy Italian men! Oh, and shoes!
Until then, we love you and we miss you!
Buen Camino!
Tags: 1, Camino de Santiago, Spain
Laura
Hey Laura I just wanted to let you know I received your certificates and they are safe and sound. Also the storage guy called me but he said he was emailing with you so I assume all is ok. I told him to call back if it was not. Other than that all is well on the Western front! Magic and Scout (his new girlfriend) are inseparable. Oh and I got my ‘Guatamala-sinkhole-driveway’ fixed! Such adventures here in AE I’m not jealous at all. ha ha. Love, me
Hello Mrs. Picard. Love the photo! You two make a handsome couple. Happy trails to you both.