SarriĆ” to Portomarin = 24 Km
Today was a very interesting day to hike because we started in Sarria. For those of you who are unfamiliar withĀ āThe Caminoā, Sarria is the Official Starting Point if you wish to walk the shortest distance and earn a Compostela (110 Km).
My body aches all over! It was wet, damp, riddled with inclines and declines, and my knee aches!
It was still beautiful and Iām glad I did it!
In SarriĆ”, you will find 3 types of Camino Pilgrims;Ā
Pilgrims
Nouveaux Pilgrims
The Disney Pilgrims.
- Pilgrims: These are the folks who began BEFORE Sarria.Ā Often they began 700 Km before in Saint Jean Pied de Port, France or another city in Spain. They are tired, used to staying in dormitory rooms, sun kissed, a tad rough looking, wearing worn clothes that have been rinsed many more times than washed, tired boots, and walk with an experienced gait. They just forge ahead and say Buen Camino with feeling and are only excited to see folks they have previously passed along the way.Ā They only have a shell on their packs and ignore all souvenirs because they do not want to carry 1 more extra gram.
- Nouveaux Pilgrims: These are the folks who are just starting their Camino here.Ā They have travelled from another city in Spain to get here.Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā They are fresh and very clean! They are excited to start! You can tell who they are because of the pristine clean clothing, matching attire, new shoes, and top notch gear!Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā They are NOT tired, but rather excited with a high pitch to their voice! They emerge on day one looking very clean and energetic!They yell Buen Camino to everyone including cows!Ā They walk with skip to their step and find everything amazing!Ā They just love their first taste of bocadillos. They stop at every souvenir shop buying everything that matches their gear.Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā
- The Disney Pilgrims:Ā These are the folks who are on a 4-5 Star bus tour! Ā They travel here from other cities in Spain and have no real gear.Ā They often travel with trunks and suitcases that staff haul on and off the bus as they arrive at their luxury hotels. Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā They are driven to lovely places along the Camino and go for short walks, take up most free cafĆ© space as hikers pass hoping for a seat!Ā After indulging, they board their bus awaiting their next stop! Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā GOSH these are happy Pilgrims, much like people in Disney movies where in the end, all works out fine! Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā They also have included in their bus tour the cost to have theĀ botafumeiro swing at the mass in the Cathedral in Santiago!
DESPITE MY TONGUE AND CHEEK TEASING HERE, you must always remember that IT DOES NOT MATTER WHICH TYPE OF PILGRIM YOU ARE, OR HOW YOU DO THE CAMINO!
ITS YOUR CAMINO! Do it your way and God Bless!
Pics from today!
KEEP WALKING!
