This morning we were just two days away from Santiago, but Mother Nature dealt us quite a blow. As we walked, the winds picked up and the heavens opened, creating mud puddles and little streams all along the path. Our ponchos were no match for the wind, and most of us ended up soaked. It became hard to discern where the right turns were, and it seems like our group took two different paths. When I arrived at Arca de Pino, I could even pour water out of my boots.
Becky, Emma, and Nick had arrived earlier this morning, and they found us a wonderful, comfortable albergue. After a long hike, their thoughtfulness made the gloomy day brighter: they prepared popcorn, cookies, drinks, and even balloons for us on our bunks. (Can't forget the Happy Hippo hazelnut cookies, either. . .!) It's wonderful to have a family away from home.
Here's the website of our albergue: http://portadesantiago.com/
I tried to smile along the way and greet everyone with the traditional ¨Buen Camino,¨ but it was a bit more challenging today. Still, the rain served a meaningful purpose today. Not only was it an additional challenge to face, but it was a wonderful ¨rinse cycle¨after being washed clean over the previous week. This journey has a wonderful cleansing value, and Mother Nature just didn't want us to forget it.
Tomorrow is our last day of hiking to Santiago. In some ways, I'm not concerned so much with what we find there. It is this journey on our feet that has made the trip.
Soggy but smiling from Arca,
Michael
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