LEFT TOP: The Iron Cross or Cruz de Farrer where pilgrims leave a stone from home as a symbol of leaving past burdens. Other phots depict various stages of the Four Amigos’ walk in Spain: Often the there were beautiful vistas, and each day some good food and drink. When they stayed in an albergue, they often found the accommodations to be tight.
for the journey varied from being a physical challenge to being a spiritual journey. It was something they all wanted to accomplish while they still could.
On the first day of their walk to Santiago it was cold and proved to be a tough introduction to El Camino. It took 11 hours to walk the first 21 miles! For the whole first week, the Gilroy pilgrims experienced mud, rain, sleet and snow.
They quickly learned that it was more difficult than they had anticipated. There were many elevation changes … up the hill.. down the hill! They learned there were many rocks, uneven paths, wind, fog and difficult conditions. They were plagued with tired, sore legs and blistery feet..
They also learned of the special bond of support and comradery that just happens between fellow Camino pilgrims. The Gilroy pelegrinos, or pilgrims, used a hotel now and then, but some of their most memorable nights were in the albergues( hostels) with other pelegrinos. The albergues, however, could be a little crude. Facilities were often limited and sleeping arrangement not always the best. During the day, those on the walk trudged along, often alone with their thoughts, but in the evening, in the albergues, they shared the joys and pains of the day. In Santiago, one pilgrim from Walnut Creek hosted a hotel party for about 50 pelegrinos!
Along the way, the Gilroy Amigos became something of a legend among the other pilgrims. Since they often dressed in black, they were described as kind of scary or the Mafia group. One group of young ladies made it their mission to keep up with the“ old guys.” The Gilroy Amigos had fun with their reputation as the older group until a much older woman passed them up without a pause. The number of crosses along the way struck them as they came to understand that a cross marked where some pilgrim had died! The movie, The Way, with Martin Sheen depicts this also.
Some pilgrims take on the hard-core attitude of a zealot pilgrim. The Gilroy Amigos took on a more relaxed approach and thoroughly enjoy the local food and drink.
The four Gilroy Amigos plus Jose Carlos Diaz arrived in Santiago de Compostela on April 24. Monolo Diaz describes it in his blog:
We have arrived! It was a bittersweet moment. Happy that the walking was over and we had arrived at our destination as planned. Sad that it was over and tomorrow won’ t be the same. I was a bit moved when I got my certificate at the pilgrim’ s office. An emotional moment.
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