Life Among the Peregrinos

I am finding little time to write. We get up between 5:30 and 6 to get everything ready for breakfast for the pilgrims. Then when they are all off to the next stage of the Camino, around 7:30 to 8am, I grab a bit of breakfast. Then we start cleaning the Albergue to ready it for the next group of Pilgrims. When the pilgrim's start arriving we check them in, stamp their credentials, and show them where the beds, bathrooms, showers, etc are located. Then we have a few moments before we get coffee, tea and cookies ready for 5:30pm "happy hour."

When that is done it's off to the market for supplies, or to the Guardian Civil to turn in paper work. Then back to the Albergue to welcome pilgrim's. Today, Sunday, was market day. It is like a farmers market, but instead of being in a contained local, set up in the street. They are such fun and a social event for locals.

 There doesn't seem to be a standard for what day of the week they occur. In Sahagun they are on Saturday. In Grado they are on Sunday and Wednesday. I didn't get to play around much because I was with Bert. Bert is the hospitalero who served before me. He is Dutch and speaks a kazillion languages fluently. But, he doesn't delight in the outdoor markets. I slowed him down enough that he spotted some cherries and bought half a kilo. 

Today there was some ground meat left by a pilgrim. So I got an onion and bell pepper at the street market, used some tomato sauce left by someone, threw in some olives I had, used salt, pepper and spices in the cupboards, and made a pasta sauce. Bert went and got some pasta. It made a nice lunch. There was some left over, which was gratefully eaten by a couple of hungry pilgrims. 

Bert is really nice, but he was an oil company executive and has that conservative mind set. He constantly is concerned that someone is trying to get something for nothing. Worrying about people trying to steal stuff. It's weird. We had an uncomfortable conversation today because we have an empty bed, and because of a series of events concerning money, one woman was turned away because we thought we were full. And another man isn't here because he had no money. It breaks my heart. Especially, because it has been a cold wet day for pilgrim's. Oh well, compassion. I think the burden of being on guard against people, is a heavy load. I don't want to carry it. 

I have to update this blog to tell you about AG's plan, as opposed to Nancy's plan. Amazing Grace always has a good plan. Anyway, about 9 pm this poor tired pilgrim came to the door, looking tired and afraid that he may not have a place to sleep. It is still cold and rainy. And, guess what, we still had a bed. My heart is full tonight knowing this young man will be safe and warm. 

And here I thought I wasn't going to have time to wax philosophical. lol On a happier note, I made a new friend today. 

Isn't he/she cute. There is a whole herd of sheep people on the property next to the Albergue. They understand me. I go out and say baa baa and they look at me and stare. It's similar to the reaction I get from people sometimes. 

Then we had some entertainment while one of the peregrinos spent a bit of time trying to untangle the strings of four tea bags. Everyone clapped and cheered at his success. Here he is triumphant. 

So now there is a brief quiet.