Camino Qualities

Humility, Patience and Adaptation

These are the three most importance qualities of the pilgrim on the Camino.

Since Lorgono on July 29 and 30 I have been picking up speed and friends with my days usually being around 30 kilometers.

I have traveled through Najera where I attended the pilgrim's Mass and was invited by the priest to ring the bell of Santiago three times. One for the Eucharist, one for Mary and one for Santiago.  I also visited the local museum  inside the Franciscan Monastery Santa Maria la Real where the tombs of most of the Kings and Queens of Navarre are located.

Starting in Logrono and continuing for over a week I have been traveling with a team of pilgrims that I have met along the way. Ignacio (Nacho) who is our chef and guru from Portugal, Carlos (El Capitan) a retired naval commander from Spain, Laura (Sonrisa) an investment advisor from Brazil and me (El Padre). 

Laura, Nacho and Jun

After the town of Santo Domingo de la Calzadas (August 2nd) we picked up Jun, pronounced June, (El Artist) from Korea who is studying acting.

In Hontana, August 5th we added two new members to our team. Christina (Nightingale) a massage therapist from Canada and Jordan (Gladiator) a US soldier who just finished his second tour of Afghanistan.

In Granon, I stayed in an old fashioned pilgrim hospital that was built into the attic of the Church. Before dinner we had Mass in Church and then cooked together to in the hospital. After dinner we went into the old choir stalls to end the day with evening prayer.

Choir Stalls

In Belorado, I had dinner with Magnus and Esther, a British couple who were celebrating their first year of marriage by riding a tandem bike across the Camino. 

Tandem Biking on the El Camino

 I also toured the amazing 13th century
Cathedral built by Kings and Queens of Burgos.

Burgos Cathedral (Catedral de Santa María; Catedral de Burgos) is a Gothic cathedral in northern Spain. It is notable for its vast size, magnificent Gothic architecture, and unique history. Burgos Cathedral was added to the World Heritage List in 1984 and Frommer's Spain calls it one of Spain's best cathedrals.
 
The construction of a cathedral at Burgos was ordered by King Ferdinand III of Castile and Mauricio, the English-born Bishop of Burgos. Construction started on the site of the former Romanesque cathedral on July 20, 1221. Work began at the chevet (east end), which was completed in nine years.



Read more about the Burgos Cathedral at Sacred Destinations.




And, last night we had a taste of paradise at a private residence in Boadilla. More to come later....

Peace and Goodness,

FD