melaniehyersDay 5 from David and Celia’s house in Bodenaya to Tineo, La Plaza Albergue
At David and Celia’s we experienced the Camino spirit –humans coming together sharing, talking, laughing and breaking bread in community. We spent a lovely evening with Antonio from Cadiz, Juame from Mallorca and two of Bodenaya’s new residents, bringing the population to a total of 34!
David, our host, made risotto with mushrooms and leeks, followed by a very tasty Spanish tortilla with crushed garlic, cumin and a touch of vinegar, I must try this one day when I have my hands on a kitchen again! We all joined at the table for a communal pilgrim meal. I realize I have no photos of the evening as I found myself totally immersed in the conversation and laughter!
Cozy-sharing-new friends.
During the day, as we walk along the emerald green nature-scapes I often have the sense I am drifting through the magical world of butterfly wings and fairy song. I lose myself. But then, there are times that a touch of “reality” creeps into my mind and I panic. I suddenly reach for my phone to check my Gmail account. Waiting for news about next school year’s placement has more than tested my patience, it’s about to break it!… I’m starting to go a bit crazy in anticipation because if I am not placed in a Spanish school next year, what will I do?? I have no job, no house, nothing to fall back on.
I know I must relax!
Today I started limiting myself to a once a day check, and only after we have settled in to our evening’s sleeping spot. I do have to be on top of it though since I have only three days to accept a placement or I will lose it!!!
So, decision made, during the walking part of the day, I keep my focus on the Camino and the other concerns I leave for the afternoons.
Today was a day of mud, deep, sticky, dark mud mixed with…excuse my French, merde de vache... So gross!!
However, it was also a day of emerald green prairies, grazing cattle, low hanging nieblina, and my favorite—
walks under the canopy of oaks, hazelnuts and other trees making it feel like you were walking into some secret, magical realm!
And the spiderwebs hung like fairy hammocks, heavy with morning dew.
It was a slow day, a short day, about 15km, we had a rough start … So 15km was just right.
We arrived in Tineo at 14:30, checked in to the Plaza Albergue
and straight away went to have lunch … I was very hungry and kinda disappointed in the cuisine… Too much mayo, too much grease, and too much breading… And the wine was the kind you mix with Casero gaseosa, a sparkling soda. It’s intended as a mixer for common table wine which is, most assuredly, unpalatable without it!
Not one of the better Spanish meals I have had over the last three years. However, honestly, there have been very few meals that have disappointed, normally se come bien en España!!
We are now hanging out at the Albergue. I’m lying in bed, feet up on the bunk above me, a much deserved rest! I am trying to remedy my flight back home, it was changed so many times that it no longer resembles my original reservation… Still, no dice. I hope on Monday I can contact Air Canada in Madrid. And, still no word from the Ministerio de Educación either— ahhhh! Deep breaths!
Camino life, and everyday life, frustrations come and they go, the trick is staying present and not allowing those frustrations to destroy the beautiful moments in front of you! ( I remind myself)
