Day 25...O´Cebreiro

Hola! Having several days to cover in a half hour because I found a good computer in Portomarin and still have a few hours of walking yet.

I´ll begin in O´Cebreiro (June 21, 2008; 4:33 pm)

On this night in O´Cebreiro Iñve have another experience...Bagpiping and drumming in this quaint Celtic Village high in the mountains. On one side of the villiage I can see all the mountain ranges we walked thus far. Tomorrow we will walk all the mountain ranges facing us on ¨the other side¨.¨ In this village both sides are visible. I don´t know how I´m containing myself writing when the rythmn of the music is calling. So many languages being spoken in this little bar. I need to learn Spanish! I miss out on so much!

The Camino to me is Cultural, enjoying the villages and differences, people from around the world enjoying the social aspects of visiting each day and night. During the trekking part, pilgrims limp, sweat, walk slowly, some fast, some sad, more happy. It´s a Universal language...A Smile says it all.

Getting away on a long Pilgrimage takes one away from all daily distraction. Quieting your mind to hear what is going on inside. Don´t be afraid to hear what message are waiting for you. Do you already hear or know something you are not paying attention to? What is calling you? Listen...listen again...your psyche is telling you something. Most of us have such busy lives that our inner needs are tossed aside...until, one day something inside of us starts screaming. Do you already hear this voice that you may be shutting out because of responsiblities? In order to be peaceful within, and on the inside you must ACT on whatever your message might be. Take baby steps if necessary...but, take ACTION. You can have it all. Be the person you really want to be. If you are already that person maybe something else is vying for your attention. Listen.

It´s been a long hard day, our 25th day on the Camino. We are on the downside, seven more days until we reach Santiago. It´s all going to go fast now. Some people are thinking about all the people they´ll leave behind. We don´t leave them behind, we just go to different places and hopefully the essence of the people who are dear to us will be there when needed. They never go away. Like any friendship, it has to be cultivated.

Here inside the new renovated Albergue on the Mountain top in O´Cebreiro where I´m sitting on a top bunk observing. Couples are wanting alone time, whispers, touching, bunk beds, moving; older people going through their guide books for tomorrow´s journey; some are sleeping, snoring, writing in journals, packing and reorganizing their packs, bags rustling, velcro being pulled apart, cold showers with surprised yelps, people wandering about just outside our grownd level windows, people bandaging their blister, bringing in their laundry from outside...it is only 9:05 pm and bright daylight.

With all the sunshine sleep is the last thing on everyone´s mind. We need to be in bed by 10 pm, doors get locked, no rummaging about in the village. People have already had all the food and drink (wine or beer) for the night. More rustling of bags and backpacks. There are some who are careful with noise but the majority are not.

During check-in womething new has been added, we were given papery sheets and pillow cases...like the slippers you might get at the airport, or like Dr.´s and Nurses wear over their shoes. This being my 3rd time doing the Camino I have never seen this. They are disposable so no washing and drying sheets is necessary, nor the people who have to do these chores. Spain has very little waste, napkins are thin like cigarette papers.

We paid 3 euros (€) at this municipal Albergue, with the costs of these coverings I hope our costs don´t start escalating. We Pilgrim´s can spend up to 20€ a day. Private Albergues are popping up everywhere, charging 6-8€ a night. Most are offering dinner for 9€, then breakfast of bread and drink, another 3€. It´s not cheap to walk the Camino if you eat out everyday, much like home. But we Pilgrim´s are often so tired the last thing we want to do is carry extra food during the day to cook after showering and then handwashing and then hanging out our clothes to dry.

It´s 9:22 pm and I´m really tired. The room is starting to fill up for the night Sweet Dreams...Buen Camino.