Miles today: 14.2
Miles total: 406.5
Once again it was a tough day of walking, but once again everyone on the trail made it amazing. We only had 23 kilometers to walk today but my leg made it difficult, but thanks to all the people around me I had a smile on my face the whole way.
Not long into the walking I heard someone come up behind me and I stepped aside to let them through. That's when I heard "I'd recognize that limp anywhere. Good morning!" It was Barry and Sarah, the Irish couple. We talked for a little and they asked how I was doing like they do every time they see me. They will arrive in Santiago a day before us but are staying there for a day so hopefully I will get to see them before I leave.
We reached a hill and as I was walking up it I felt my backpack lift up. I turned around a guy was holding it up for me. He motioned for me to keep walking and I did, laughing the whole way up. After we got to the top I smiled and thanked him and him and his friends went on. Me and Sahra passed them at one point while they were taking a break. Maybe 20 minutes later I felt my bag lift up again. This time when I turned around he grabbed my strap. He motioned for me to take it off so he could carry it. I kept trying to tell him that it was ok but he didn't speak much English. His friend came over and explained he was trying to help. He was being very persistent so I eventually gave in. The guy that took my bag was named Alberto and him and his 4 friends were walking for 5 days to Santiago. These were the nicest, funniest group of guys! They had so much energy and were so full of life. Every once in a while Alberto would turn around and give me a thumbs up and I would return the gesture. You just couldn't help but laugh when around them. Me and Sahra didn't know what any of them were saying but it was still so funny we had a smile on our faces the whole time. One guy in the group did speak some English so he would ask questions for his friends then translate our answers. Sahra and I were meeting March, Lanie, and Mimi at a cafe in the next town. When all of us got to the start of the town the guys all stopped. Me and Sahra thanked them, went to grab the bag, and explain our friends weren't far up the road. Alberto kept say "Un Minuto! Un Minuto!" He took some layers off, took my bag and continued on. We met up with the rest of our group so he gave me my bag and I thanked him again. I saw them again later on in the day (I instantly knew they were coming by all chanting and clapping I heard in the distance.) and they kept offering to take my bag but I assured them it was fine. They would walk ahead then wait and check on me, then keep walking. They even found a walking stick and gave it to me.
At one point I was walking and I felt a tap on my shoulder. An older guy stopped me and asked me if I was ok. I told him I was and as I was doing that, his wife stepped in front of me and bent down. I looked down and my shoe was untied and she was tying it for me! Some stranger I have never even seen before tied me shoe for me. I was so touched. I had no idea what to do or say. "Thank you" was all I could really say in that moment but it was no where near enough.
Next I met two ladies from the United States. One was from California and she kept asking questions about my trip while the other one from New Jersey constantly interrupted to make sure I was ok and to let me know they had stuff if I needed it. By the time I was done telling them all the details about the trip we met up with Sahra and March and the lady from California was ready to bow down to March. Literally. She put her hands in the air and started bowing down to him. It was really funny. I saw them off and on throughout the day. One of the times it was while walking down the hill and the one from New Jersey kept turning around to check on me and would assure me "It's ok we're right here." Before arriving at the city she even asked to take a picture with me. They were super sweet!
The entrance to the city was gorgeous! You walked across a long bridge, water extended out on both sides and it was the most beautiful view! At the end of the bridge was an incredible staircase that you climbed and at the top was where you entered. On the way up a guy offered to carry my bag for me, I assured him I was fine, but "Muchas Gracias!"
At the hostel next to mine and Lanie's bed was a guy, probably in his late 20's early 30's, we have seen around for a while now. We ended up talking to him and he is such a nice guy! His name is Ben and he speaks English, Spanish, and Portuguese. It was really fun talking to him. Just a genuinely good person.
I love the walking part of the Camino and I really hope to do it again some day, but even if I hated it, I still think I would come back and do it solely for the people and the atmosphere. It is just crazy how many genuinely nice people there are here. You can't help but smile as you meet each person. Everyone is unique and interesting in their own way. Each and everyday I am amazed at the people around me. I have never been surrounded by so many kind people at one time.
It really hit me today that the walk is almost over and it is really sad. You get so used to arriving at the hostel and seeing the same people at the end of the day. If they aren't at your hostel you might see them around town, or just the next day. It's kind of comforting. The past few days there has been a lot of new people just starting the Camino. Since each place has only so many beds you see the usual pilgrims less often because everyone is spread out at different hostels. Even though some of them I haven't even talked to I found myself walking around town looking for familiar faces just because I got so used to seeing them. It sucks that we have to leave soon. Don't get me wrong, I am really excited to go home and see everyone again. The difference is when I said bye to everyone at home it was bye for 52 days. Here, it's bye forever to the people and maybe bye forever to the country (but hopefully not). It is just sad to think about, but I will be forever thankful I had the chance to meet all these incredible people.
Special thanks for the day go to:
Bree Fuqua, Hollie Kelly, and Patrick March
Many thanks to our mile sponsors as well!
Terrisa Cook, Patrick March, Mr. Morberg, Paul and Marie, Rick and Eileen, and Jan Cornelius.
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