Baby Camino (Part Three)

If I had to pick a favorite part of my Camino experience, it would be the bagpipers (Doedelzak in German) who appear out of nowhere in the forest. You would hear this charming sound long before you came across the wonderful sight. Also, the many pop up “cafes” along the way just when you needed it. And when I say café, I use the word loosely. These were sometimes merely a trailer in the forest that some enterprising Spaniard turned into a haven for pilgrims to sit for as long as they wanted or needed – in the sun or the shade – and rest, have a refreshment, get a stamp, and connect with others.

The stamps were also a favorite of mine. To earn your Compostela (certificate) at the end of your Camino you must have at least two stamps from each city along the way. This has turned into a fun Easter-egg-hunt-type experience for pilgrims and a great tool for business folks. One of my first stamps was a “betty boop” type that looked like we may have gotten it at a strip joint (we got it at a bar). Everyone asked where we got it, and someone even took a picture of it.

The landscape and the animals were, of course, a highlight. I saw only two stray dogs, both of which were so healthy looking and friendly that I kept searching for the owner. Thankfully, the cats all seemed happy and well cared for too, and there was plenty of cat siesta-ing everywhere!

Hardly a favorite was that I lost no weight. Don’t get me wrong that wasn’t the purpose of the trip, but come on! Two hundred thousand steps and not even a pound?! It may have been the 3-4 cappuccinos per day, which were mostly made with creamy whole milk. And perhaps all the bread… Alright, fair enough.

Next up: Finale