This was a big day. First of all, as Craig was walking along he stopped to photo a lemon tree. The woman in her yard thought he wanted some lemons so he ended up with 5!!
We are staying today at the Camino famous Casa Fernanda’s. The blogs all say this is not to be missed. Fernanda is one of those angels on earth who loves to spread joy and love and in this case comfort to peregrinos by providing a lovely setting to gather and drink wine, eat a homemade meal and breakfast all for a donativo. We had a private room here. Our camino family is forming with the three sisters from Canada and Florida, some German peregrinos, the Argentinian and German couple who met last year on the Primitivo ....
We are at the long table family style and then after dinner when the port came out, Fernanda’s husband turned on the tunes and dancing ensued!
On the way we asked a man in his car if we were going in the right direction and he motioned us to get in his car. He spoke French and although I attempted to say that we were fine walking, he wouldn’t hear of it saying it was too hot to walk. So we arrived at Casa Fernanda by car as the others were slugging their way in!!! A good story!
Sleep wasn’t easy for me. I had some angst about the passage of time. To share here, this is what I wrote to my friend. Writing helped me work it through.
"We’re here at Casa Fernanda ‘s with about 20 others. Had a most amazing communal meal and enjoyed the company of others, sharing our Camino experiences. Folks from Australia to Argentina. Fernanda is one of those humans who finds nourishment in community, in caring for people. She does all the cooking each night for a big dinner and then breakfast in the morning. All the while she radiates love and joy and ease.
And all this for a donativo- a donation. We will of course give an amount equivalent to what it all would cost at our usual pensions with meals- around 50 Euros. Have. I clue what others do.
So why no sleep? After the meal, Fernanda’s husband turned on the music. There’s an adorable young couple who met on the Primativo last year. He’s from Germany; she’s Argentinian. They are so very young and so delighted to have found each other. They live in Munich now. And to watch them dance.....
I’m stunned at how old we are in years. How can we be doing this? No one knows our age and we must be at least 10 years older than the oldest folks here who are walking.
In conversation , References get made to old people- "in their 70s." How did this happen? How to accept the passage of time? It’s keeping me awake."
But morning came. And I felt renewed nonetheless. The beauty of travel is that as one moves through the day and new experiences unfold. The metaphor of moving on physically, letting go, and soaking up the present extends to the psyche.
Feeling grateful and ok as I write this.
And the walk in this area is beautiful and the weather fine. What else could a girl want?
Some photos to reflect:
Two of the sisters T Casa Fernanda
The young (sigh) couple.
I do look happy!!!
Not only do you look happy, you look ageless and beautiful! Perhaps that is the secret- happy on the inside looks good on the outside.
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