Camino Friends and Food

Friends and food, two meaningful words that sustain us. As in a typical Spanish city, Santiago has a large fresh market, housed in 3 buildings on the edge of the old city. Wandering the aisles, you find stalls overflowing with all types of beautiful fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs, bread, pastries, olive oils, vinegars, and jams. Another has refrigerated cases of whole chickens and ducks, complete with feet, many different cuts of beef and pork, including pig feet and even the face. The fish section is fascinating; whole fish of types I haven't seen before, sacks of mullosks and clams, live lobsters, and jumbo shrimp so fresh they still have life. And the cheeses ..... Yum.

It has continued to rain every day since my arrival here. Friday was a holiday, Labor Day, with many people marching throughout the area in support of labor issues. Many people were on holiday, so my huge hotel was full, with many noisy revelers returning to their rooms throughout the night. Saturday, the Camino next to the historic area was blocked off to traffic for about 1 1/2 miles for a popular street fair and handicraft, food and beer market. American music was blasting, a rock band played, Celtic singers performed, and a great time was held by all inspite of the cold and rain,

It is fitting I end my stay in Santiago with my new friends, some wonderful tapas and a glass of vino tinto from Rioja. Albert is Dutch, an old friend of Yvonne Thrasher from Vacaville. He finished walking the more difficult, isolated and rugged Camino del Norte, or Camino Primitivo at the same time as I finished the Camino Frances. He is a Facebook friend I met through Yvonne, and  am delighted I finally got meet him and share a meal and a most interesting visit. He will continue to walk one of the many Camino routes each year in order to meet the many fascinating  people who undertake this journey.

My Australian Camino Princessess arrived in Santiago before me; not being quite ready to quit, they walked another 3 days in the rain and wind out to Finisterre and the literal end of the Camino as it drops into the Atlantic. They have been delightful company, Francesca is of Indian descent, while Ranni, which means Princess in Sanskrit, is a typical light hearted Auzzie. I met them on Day 4, on a cold, windy, and rainy day climbing up the Hill of Perdon outside of Pamplona; they took my photo with the metal pilgrim cutouts. I kept meeting them along the way. The concept of not depriving oneself just because you are a pilgrim struck me at just the right time; days of walking in cold and rain was not a lot of fun. But as a Camino Princess, you can check into a nice hotel, preferably a palace, and reinvigorate yourself for the next day. What a concept! They are traveling on independently, will meet again in Greece for a yoga retreat, then return to Australia in July and September.

I maintained my general good humor and pilgrim attitude by staying in Casa Rurals, Pensiones, small inns, only 2 albergues, and an occasional palace. A good nights sleep is a wonderful thing. There is not the social aspect of meeting as many pilgrims as you would in the albergues, but us ladies of a certain age no longer relish the open dormitory, bunk beds, noise, lack of privacy and snoring found in them.

My grand adventure here has finally ended. Shortly, I will bid Spain a hearty 'Adios,' and 'Hasta Luego,' as I depart for a REAL vacation in London with Ken. Thank you for following along with me as I walked each step and carried my pack for 500 miles. It is with a huge sense of accomplishment that I finish my journey.

I wish you a  'Buen Camino' and a Grand Adventure as you continue your travels through life!