April 1, 2017
The scenery for this day was not my favorite, instead of vast green fields we were met with red clay vineyards and minimal views. There were still some mountains/hills but not as much. I was used to being spoiled with views all day. It was still beautiful but just not my personal favorite.
(Mountain peaks popped out amidst the clouds!)
The town of Najera on the other hand— amazing. Our albergue was an old house, with chandeliers and ornate features. I felt like I was at my grandmas or something! Michel and Dariush invited me to hangout on their covered balcony. We relaxed and then walked, okay more like limped, around to find some food. Poor Dariush was still in a wee bit of pain.
You see Dariush was the first person to really have a “Camino” story. Basically a story about how someone random came along to help, out of no where. Dariush was at a small town and wanted to take a taxi to the next albergue. The taxi arrives and the man asks Dariush why he isn’t walk anymore. Dariush explains to the taxi driver that his feet hurt too much to continue. The taxi driver then says, “oh but I am a doctor from Morocco, waiting on my license in Spain. can I take a look?!” Dariush was in disbelief. How was this possible?! The taxi driver, now doctor, pops a blister UNDER Dariush’s toe nail, and he is like a spring chicken! He gets to town perfectly fine and in even better health. He tried to pay the taxi driver money but he said “you let me be a doctor again for 30 minutes, that is payment enough!”
I love sharing that story because it really happens– Camino miracles. I feel like for me my miracles have been the people I meet. I feel like every person I meet helps me open up to new possibilities.
So anyways, here we are hobbling along to a dinner. We sit down and in an almost delirious state of mind, Malcolm (who carries his guitar with him on the Camino) starts telling these AWFUL, but HILARIOUS, jokes. We each take turns telling our corny jokes, laughing hysterically. The restuarant was mostly empty so our laughter permitted the entire place. I think the bartender wanted to punish us so he put all 6 of our checks into 1 check, leaving our exhausted brains to decode the Spanish language and prices. Picture of us below, thank GOD Stephanie is an Accountant! Haha!
The gang trying to divide up the check, written in Spanish. That was interesting to say the least haha!
After we had dinner, I was craving something sweet so we went to the supermarket. I may have overdone it on the sugar, see below!
While we were sitting there in our sugar comas, Malcolm brings out his guitar serenades us in music. Stephanie then asks if he would like a foot massage while he plays, he was hesitant but let me tell you his facial expressions brought a source of laughter like no other. Again, see below.
(The look on Malcolm’s face gets me every time!)
(This was the food I, alone, bought! Haha it was a bit too much! So glad other people helped finish it off!)
In the midst of the music we heard a band outside, we thought “what the hell is a marching band doing in the middle of the streets?!” Turns out it was a celebration for everyone born on this day in 1985. They do a celebration through the streets every year for this. They pay $10 and get to have unlimited drinks through the city. Of course we joined their marching for a bit, dancing with them as they celebrated! It was such a treat.
(Had to take a screenshot of the video of the dancing/band because the video wouldn’t load 😩)
I gotta tell you, that is a huge thing I love about Spain. They celebrate everything! And they are so passionate about living life! Where I am from you are lucky to have a birthday dinner.
I was feeling quite homesick, missing my family and friends. I felt myself getting lost in my “missing” again but then the Camino brought Malcolm’s music, a massage from Stephanie (yes, I got one too!!!), and then finally the parade in the streets. It helps to remember that there is so much love in the world. And you can tap into that love in many, many ways. You can still miss people and yet feel them with you. If only you allow yourself to be open to the current, present moment. It takes being present to feel love. Love is everywhere but we have to be consciously aware of our surroundings to tap into it.
And that is yet another lesson I am still learning, and probably always will be. I want to learn how to miss people and still be happy- still enjoy the blessed life I have. See how Spaniards, and others fellow Camino pilgrims, celebrate life helps open me up to that possibility. Now I just need to practice it!
Cheers!
El Camino Chronicles 