Day 2: Back To Work

I stayed in the Albergue Fin del  Camino, about a twenty minute walk from central Santiago, and on the route of the Camino Frances as it comes into Santiago. Yesterday  as I was walking back to the Albergue I encountered a group of 30 or so young people, about 14 to 16 years of age. They were walking with their back packs, chatting with one another and just exuding an air of grand accomplishment and well being. They were on their way to get their Compostelas for having completed their  Camino. They were delightful and made my spirit smile. I shouted "Buen Camino, Peregrinos!" And they smiled, laughed and responded, "Gracias!" It was a brief momentary exchange, but the good feeling remains. 

Last night at the Albergue I chatted with my new friend Joy. She is from Canada, has done several Caminos, and has taught ESL in several South American countries. She's heading out to do the Camino Primitivo, but will return for a few days for the Feast of Saint James festivities.  So we will meet again. 

Today I did my induction/training at the Pilgrims center where I am volunteering for two weeks. It was great fun. Johnny Walker, what a name, (huh?) who is in charge of the  volunteer program at the Pilgrim's office took us on a tour of the old town. Johnnie is a Scot who lived in London for awhile, plays the organ at the Cathedral and has lived in Spain for the last three years. He is delightful. 

The tour included a market with fresh everything. Imagine, if you will , a permanent farmer's market on steroids. There's also a restaurant that will cook any fish you buy at the market for 10% of the purchase price, cost 10€, cook for 1€. I can't wait to eat there. There was another restaurant that Johnnie said was run by two brothers. They go to the market each morning, see what is fresh, and then plan their menu for the day. I can tell I'm going to spend a lot of time at the market, if I can find it again. lol We went through the city so fast and the streets, like most old cities, run every which way. It is hard to know where you are, let alone find where you were.

We did pass the tattoo shop. I made a mental note of the street and found it on the map just now. So I will go there tomorrow to make arrangements for my "Camino Tattoo."

Training was fun. It is such a delight to see the joy on pilgrim's faces as they come to get their Compostelas and seeing in their eyes the sense of accomplishment that touches the soul. I even got to write a Compostela for someone!!! I was so nervous. I didn't want to give him a crummy Compostela. There was one woman who came for her Compostela. She was probably in her forties and was weeping the whole time. I talked with her a while and she told me she had just done the Camino with her mother and as they approached the entrance to old town at the Porto do Camino she had been overcome with emotion and gratitude. What a privilege to share that special moment with her. 

So Stephen, another volunteer who works with Johnnie getting us volunteer workers set up in flats (apartments on the other side of the pond) met me after my work day and showed me to my flat. I was amazed! I have a one bedroom flat that is extremely nice and very roomy. It even has a tv. The only thing it is lacking is a proper coffee pot, but I suppose that is not a necessity to The Brits. ;) I'll have to remedy that tomorrow.  Speaking of tomorrow, I need to be at work at 9am, so I had better get some sleep. I haven't had to be to work in more than ten years, it brings back memories.