Day 21, Barbadelo to Hospital de Cruz
Walked today: 30 km
Total walked: 550 km
Today started off dark and cold as I started my walk around 7am. The stars were very bright but the arrows to guide me were hard to see, even with my flashlight. I walked for about 30 minutes not even sure if I was going the right way when I discovered I forgot my walking stick in Barbadelo. Oh well... I kept walking, hoping I was going the right way. Suddenly I saw the next town I was supposed to pass. Perfect! I hadn't walked over an hour in vain.
I looked around and noticed the faint first light of day and fog all around me. The morning was still brisk, and I saw bats flying over my head.
A few hours later I passed through a small village. On my right were groups of dairy cows grazing, on my left were tiny houses, more like shacks, looking like a strong gust of wind might demolish them. A very old man with gray hair came running out of his house. His clothes were dirty, his teeth looked like he had never seen a dentist, but his smile was genuine. "Toma! Toma! (Take it! Take it!)" he called to me, raising a walking stick above his head. I went to him and as he handed me the stick he asked me to pray for him when I got to Santiago. I don't know his name, and I don't even remember the exact pueblo I encountered this man, but I knew I would pray for him in the Cathedral of Santiago.
Just a few minutes later I walked passed a German Shepard. At first I kept my distance, but soon I saw a wagging tail and a face begging for a caress. He nuzzled up against me just as an elderly woman came out and said to her dog in Spanish, "You want to go to Santiago, too? Go ahead!" with a hearty laugh.
I know this was a simple day like any other, but little moments like this make this camino special to me. I will always remember being a peregrina and the people (and animals) who made this experience unforgettable.
