Family Groups

Yesterday and today I noticed that there are a number of families taking the Camino. There is one family of four,+ mother, father adn two children, probably ages 10 and 12, and another mother who is travelling with her young daughter. There is also a Koren mother travelling wth her young son. Our own Camino family groups and bands continue to reconfigure as people come and go. Yesterday we said goodbye to Eva and Gunn who returned to Sweden, and in a couple of days when we reach Burgos, Marisol of Spain and Marie of Finland will return to their homes. Yesterday was a relgious holiday and all shops and businesses were closed. The hospitaleros of the albergues hosted a special luncheon for hte pilgrims free of charge in honor of the holiday and the fact that finding food for lunch would have been difficult. There was a DJ and lots of music and dancing, and great fun! Of all the pilgrims that attended the luncheon, only about 8 were people with whom I began the Camino. The majority were people I had never seen along the way. For those of us who started out at the same time, it is a sad time as we say goodbye to new old friends and realize the journey will be very different from this point on. It's a bit sad when one realizes that one will reach Santiago without those with whom one started the journey. There is also sadness for those who leave realizing that they will not be able to reach Santiago this year with the friends they have met along the way. Relationships form quickly and bonds are strong, and a lot of email addresses have been exchanged, and a lot of group pictures taken. We each have a great picture of the Camino Back Pack Girls! One of the wonderful aspects of the Camino are the pilgrim blessings we receive at hte churches. Many are sure to include the pilgrims and their families in the prayers, and then their is a special blessing fo hte pilgrims. Most times, the pilgrims are asked to come forward to receive the blessing. At one church, after the blessigs, the priest greeted each individual pilgrim in their own language and gave each a prayer card in their native tongue. I am today in Belorado and tomorrow head for Altapuerco.