Day 16 Carrion de los condes

Here comes the sun… at least part of the day… a bit warmer thankfully. On the Camino you have to compromise on some of the gear you bring along. I’ve been satisfied with most of the gear I have brought along. However I had to compromise on the jacket. I chose to bring a water proof jacket, and for rain it’s great. But otherwise it’s like wearing a plastic bag. No moisture in and no moisture out. I was happy to not have to wear it today.

On the Camino today I met a elderly Spanish gentleman who drove outside of town to a small park to greet pilgrims and provide a handful of raw almonds. As each pilgrim approached he would get up from the bench an walk to the trail and grab a handful of raw almonds nuts from a bucket and give them to the pilgrims, with a warm pat on the shoulder and “buen camino”.

I can’t tell you how touched I am by this gesture. It brings tears to my eyes as I write this.

Here is a man who drove several miles out of town to sit by the side of the road to greet pilgrims and give perhaps all he had to give from his abundance. I will treasure these almonds and I pray for blessing in this man’s life.

The Spanish people are wonderful and respectful of the many pilgrims on this journey; often greeting you with a warm “Hola!” I am humbled by their generosity to share this Camino experience with me.

Upon entering Carrion I passed a rose garden. My father was into roses and he would have enjoyed these rose bushes that are in full bloom. In some ways I am reminded of my father by the Spanish gentleman from this morning. You see my father would take bouquets of roses to the businesses near his home, sharing his abundance…

Only 463 km to go… approaching the 1/2 way point….