KEMBER CAMINO: Day 30 - Giving and Recieving

Another early start this morning, and everyone else had the same idea! We were soon part of a pilgrims' caravan leaving Sarria. Families, school groups, tour groups, young, and old all together. We passed a group of young women, half a dozen of them young nuns, walking in simple navy robes. I had seen them last night walking to and from the convent and was thinking about the choices that they had made for themselves.

Within about an hour of walking we had fallen into step with Onno from Amsterdam, then a little further on, Catriona and Mark from Ireland. Chatting easily, sharing stories we chewed up the 24 kms effortlessly and arrived in Portomarin grateful for having had their company. After sharing more than a few beers they decided to continue on and we headed for our hotel. If we knew how large our suite was going to be (larger than some Auckland apartments) we would have invited the others to stay here with room to spare!

Simon has been giving away little golden kiwi pins to the some of the pilgrims we have met (mainly young women - bless him) and today I gave away my first kiwi. I was intrigued by the young nuns and had the opportunity to talk to one, her name was Sister Sarah! She would have been Sophie's age, from Ecuador and part of a group from all over South America and Spain - a kind of 'nun camp' all walking the Camino. We had a lovely talk together with the help of another pilgrim who spoke both languages and afterwards I gave her a little kiwi. She was so surprised that her eyes welled up at my tiny gift and then she planted in my hands her well worn wooden rosary. I shook my head and said I wanted nothing in return, but she was adamant that I accept this gift from her and we hugged and exchanged kisses. I felt uncomfortable, but walking away I was overwhelmed by a sense of what it was to receive - it was a special Camino moment and I will cherish this generous gift from one who has chosen a life so hard for us to understand.