Day 4 - Photo Opps July 20

My new tattoo was quite a hit today. The two ladies from Ireland that volunteer was me gasped and covered their eyes with both hands. They were aghast. It's kind of nice to know I can still shock some people at my age. In the Pilgrim's office there are, besides the volunteers, paid employees or interns who write the Compostelas. One of these ladies asked me when I would be there tomorrow because she wants to bring her camera and take a picture of my tattoo. Another of the employees want to take a picture of me to show his grandmother. He, and the others, can't believe I am almost 67 years old. lol when I leave the office after five hours of work I feel like I'm almost ninety seven.

The "children" as Johnnie named them, because they are just out of high school or first year of college, are adorable and they really liked the tattoo. When I saw them yesterday it was covered, so they came into day asking to see it right away. I actually relate to them better than the two older ladies I'm working with. Maybe it's because I'm still juvenile. :) Several of the pilgrims also commented on the tattoo.

It was wild in the office today. It was rather slow in the morning and then bam we were slammed. The line went down the stairs, through the patio, out the entry and down the block to the corner. It was crazy. The pilgrims are always so excited and so tired from the journey. I'm sure standing in line is just torture. There is a door way where pilgrims are admitted one by one from the line to get their Compostelas. There are usually five to nine people writing Compostelas, which entails them checking the credential to determine if the person has walked the requisite miles, fill out forms about where they are from, where they started the Camino, how old they are, if they did the Camino on foot, bicycle, or horseback, and whether they did the Camino for religious or spiritual reasons. The last one is tricky. If they say no, they did it for personal, athletic or other reasons, they don't get a Compostela, they get a Certificate.

After they get their Compostela or Certificate, they exit through the same door they were admitted to get their Compostelas or Certificates. Meanwhile, others are being called in to get their Compostelas or Certificates, all through the same door. Remember most of these people have with them the large backpacks, walking sticks, etc they used on the Camino, going both ways throughout the door. Very difficult to choreograph. Additionally, as they exit there is a little counter where they can buy a tube to protect their Compostela or Certificate from getting bent or crumpled on their journey home. Now this counter is about four feet from the doorway where people are entering and exiting. Today there were a few times, when the line to get out with backpacks was so long it went through the door so nobody could move through it to get their Compostelas or Certificates. Five employees were sitting with no one to service. It took a minute or two each time to clear it out enough to keep the traffic flowing.

Mind you, I'm trying to get people to move and do things in Spanish and English, which probably works for most of them, except those that only speak French, Italian, German, or Asian languages. I must say I've pretty much gotten over my reluctant embarrassment to speak Spanish, I'm just rattling off stuff. It's one of the benefits of being too busy to think about it. For the most part the Pilgrims are understanding and kind. Occasionally there is a cranky one, but it is understandable, given the long way they've come and how emotional this moment is to them, and there is some crazy American with purple hair asking them to move here or there, or to "squishy up." I'm still trying to figure out how to say "squishy up" in Spanish. lol

After work today I took a moment in this lovey little park with flowers, hedges, benches for sitting and tables for eating. I just love this about Spain. In the middle of the cities there are always large and small parks. Tomorrow I get to have lunch with one of my friends from the states. She was one of the trainers and the one that made it possible to have this dream experience in Santiago. I work the afternoon shift for the next three days from 2pm to 7pm, and tomorrow night Johnnie is playing the organ and Stephen is singing in the Cathedral!! I haven't heard Johnnie play but I assume he is great. Stephen sang for us the other night at dinner and he has an amazing voice.

Sleep tight my friends.