All runners are like the international Hash House Harriers forming instant connections with other runners. Madrid’s running Coach Javi Rondi and I met walking the Portugués Camino 2022. I joined his running team in Madrid before their evening run. What a pity not to have my Hokas.
Personality plus best describes these buildings. With grandiose buildings, my eyes constantly rove. These buildings capture my focus, attention, and appreciate.
Grandiose well describes Madrid. The scale of buildings centuries old goes beyond my ability to capture by camera. Touring Palacio Real de Madrid is like Versailles on steroids. Madrid’s central area is walking friendly. A walk so dissimilar to past weeks of walking Portugués Camino.
Decompression is necessary after a solitude journey. Going home would be too abrupt. A neutral place allowing the experiences to settle is wise. The nine hour bus ride to Madrid began the thought process. Unbeknownst I rode through towns from my first Camino in 2014…Arzua, Lugo, Ponferrada, and Astoria. Haunting! Contrasting the similarities and difference helps sort my 2022 Portugués Camino.
How could it be that none of my tribe suggests entering the Cathedral? Having walked the Camino, did we not sense a connection to this revered place? In reality we are bone tired and growing painfully cold. Attend to the needs of the flesh than the spirit.
We stand in the plaza before the towering Santiago de Compostelle Cathedral. We are giddy with the arrival. What we most want to do is hug one another, drop our backpacks, and take photos. It’s the same for all pilgrims. Our bonds will not be forgotten.
My tribe of pilgrims can simultaneously walk and take selfies. When the urge strike, we yell “selfie” and come together posturing for a photo. We are drunk on the thought Santiago is so near. The kilometers slip by like sand in an hour glass. Infinitesimally slow in the beginning and instantly gone in the end.
As though we are possessed by magical strength, we storm towards Santiago. Pack mentally keeps the pace up. Feet pain and café con letche urges are ignored. We just want to be there.
The appeal of green…
We look like zombies one trailing behind the other. Weariness is prevalent. The closeness of Santiago is at hand. Tired pilgrims are chomping at the bit.
Linda Scandore 