Bill Arney

Bused to Ourense today and will be heading over to Tui tomorrow,  from the Via de la Plata to the Portugués. From the bus this way back to Santiago seemed hilly and not so interesting.  It could have been the tiredness that caught me, of course. Yesterday Michaela kept talking about being very tired, first time on her walk, she said. Maybe the walking and emotions of arrival caught up with us. By going to Tui I can also spend the first big (or so it’s predicted) day of rain riding a train.

One nice little time in Santiago bus station.  A pilgrim walked by, I waved, she acknowledged me and went on to buy her ticket. Later she came back and sat down. “This is not the first time a complete stranger has said hello on this trip.  It’s very nice.” A few tears welled up. “That wouldn’t happen back home in Germany.” We shared some of the personal moments from our walks and our agreement about there being a lot, lot, lot of laughter around the tables in Santiago populated by pilgrims. Brief, gentle, very nice moment.