Two types of rest stops (bg)

Yesterday’s walk was in perfect weather over verdant rolling farmland and tiny villages. Michelle and I hit that hunger wall with no towns in the near future. Then - as they say often - The Camino Provides. We come upon what from a distance resembled bizarre collection of colors, lawn chairs, gardens - basically someone’s eclectic home. Instead, it was a home made Pilgrim rest stop. It exuded friendliness: welcoming signs, shaded sitting areas, a central sitting spot with table of refreshments for pilgrims - oranges, apples pears, cookies, cold and hot water. The cost? Simply donate whatever you can. Also in this expansive yard was an impossibly small, humble, and adorable chapel, which you must crouch down to enter but will never forget what you saw. The whole facility could not have come at a better time and we and some other Pilgrims from Estonia rested and refreshed to continue our walk north.

A few hours later we arrived at Condeixa-a-Nova and I went out for some groceries for the next days walk. Purchase complete, I’m walking back and decide to stop for a beer at an outdoor cafe. In no time, I’m in another fabulous conversation with a table of locals. Filipé was the best English speaker in the bunch and served as translator. We spent nearly an hour together exchanging information and assisting with our respective languages. “You from Nashville USA? Johnny Cash!” Also I learned Felipe was a big fan of Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin and Jimmy Hendrix. “All the J’s” he called them. Of course we talked about soccer (their Football) and American football. He likes the SF 49ers - go figure.

In the end Felipe was so patient with my micro Portuguese and continued to tutor me on phrases and words. My spirit soared by this live example of the human desire to interact, learn and just connect. Cheers to my new friends or “Saúde meu novo amigos!!”

That’s Felipe front and center below.