People we have met along The Way. . .

There is a stream of humanity that have made the walk to Santiago and the sea beyond that goes at least as far back as the Celts in Spain. It is kind of amazing to realize you are walking along the same path as did Francis of Assisi, King Ferdinand, Queen Isabella and Shirley MacLain, to name a random few. We have encountered a variety of pilgrims and thought you might like to know about a few. Names have been omitted to protect the innocent & also because our memories aren't always reliable! 

The Australian who had more gadgets and apps than Steve Jobs.

The German grandpa walking for the fourth time in 10 years to "get it right."   

The Russian/American who had researched local liqueurs. 

The Dutch girls on a gap year who had hitchhiked down and who have the best spirit of anyone we've met - those two know how to live life! 

The super chatty California guy who wrote songs for the dying, complained about not getting wifi on his iPad (yet he refused to take it out of airplane mode), and who was afraid to drink the water - so while he was worried about weight in his pack (which he didn't know how to adjust), was bringing along a water purifier.

The Spanish guys who made us laugh. Even though they were annoyed with our Spanish skills they were happy to run into us more than once.

Jennifer's "Blister Sister" from Germany with the positive spirit, who was so tired one night she couldn't remember her name while checking in to the albergue.

The English couple who are very thoughtful of others, but who take over an hour to pack up each day - after breakfast, when most pilgrims have left town. 

The loud Louisiana couple, about whom we know TOO much, who at least honestly label themselves tourist pilgrims because they stay in hotels, have others carry their packs and care more about the stars their restaurant has than trying to communicate in Spanish with those who are serving them.

The hippie chick from Finland with the easy laugh and the dandelion crown, who is struggling with walking the Camino alone, but who has grand plans for living off the grid in Lapland with her friends when she returns home. 

The widower from Spain whose wife died when he was walking the Camino two years ago. He is walking again, in part for her. He'll tell you all about her and how he fell in love at 18 (some 52 years ago) while showing you her picture with a twinkle in his eye. Though his Spanish is swift and his English nonexistent, somehow he is easy to understand.

The family from California we met the first day. Mom literally got blown over by the wind in the mountains. But she got back up, and all three were optimistic about the weeks ahead.

The British couple with whom we got tickled about the PlayMobil exhibit at the Santo Domingo cathedral (you read that right - stations of the cross AND Semana Santa processions all made out of playmobile figures!). We met again at the multilingual prayer service AND they hooked us up by telling us about the oft missed doors that lead to a staircase so you can walk around on the roof of the cathedral! 

The small but mighty woman from Denmark who keeps appearing in surprising places. She'll try most anything, including putting onion slices in her socks at night because someone told her it helps them rejuvenate from the day of walking.  

The sweet older guys from Belgium, Italy, and Spain who we met our first day of walking. The next day was spent making it through the snowy pass over the mountain. It took us so long we barely made it to town in time to get a room before the church service. We missed dinner and went looking for some food that night at the local bar -we were so physically and emotionally exhausted, achy and famished. We ordered wine and some tapas. When it was time to go the bartender said our bill had been paid and motioned to a table where our new friends were enjoying a beer. They said they were happy we were walking the Way. It made me cry then, and does now just thinking about their kindness on such a difficult day. 

The Cerveza dudes from Italy & France. Two 20somethings who met on the trail and were taking the Camino one beer at a time. They were delightful to chat with and we might run into them someday in Colorado since they want to see the US and some mountains...also, you know, beer.

The Canadian with Cerebral Palsy who only has the use of one hand, but who averages 25-30 kilometers a day over all terrain, all the while encouraging others.

The family from Holland who have walked from their front door to Rome (about 2500 kilometers) in 80 days. They began at home for the Camino, too. Did we mention, it is a brother, sister and his wife and the youngest one might be 75....

The math teacher and artist from Michigan who brought with him origami paper. He gives talks around the world speaking about math, science and the art of paper folding. He folds a cross every day and gives it away. 

This is just a small sample, and we are only about halfway through! Can't wait to see who we'll meet or see again in the days ahead.