Thursday Reunion (bg)

We took off pre dawn this morning to try and beat the rising temps today. An hour later we came upon a cafe just opening so we jumped in just ahead of a throng of pilgrims heading the opposite way - south to Fatima. We no sooner ordered our coffees when we were delighted to see Tina (from Berlin) who we hadn’t since three days before. Everyone hugged and got caught up on the last few days. Tina shared about a less than great hostel experience thanks to a grouchy and stubborn Brazilian. We shared stories of when we stayed in the Box hotel (literally, a box - more on that in a future post), and basically laughed and reconnected. It’s such a Camino thing - these unexpected connections and reconnections. After a half day of walking together Tina peeled off for points further north. She’s done the Caminos 6 other times and has a strong pace that we wouldn’t maintain, but nonetheless it was so fun to spend time together. Hope we connect again over the month.

With Tina next to a beautiful little pond and park

Tina wanted us to goof it up in this one:

Some of the Fatima faithful. We saw at least 200 heading south just today for the big May 13 Feast Day of Our Lady of Fatima. We expect more over the next day or two.