I have just returned from a fabulous holiday in Colombia and Panama. When in Cartagena, I was at the docks awaiting the captain of my fishing charter. I heard the jogging steps coming down the pier accompanied by, "Steve, Steve, is that you??" I found Joel come a'runnin towards me.
I met Joel April, 2022 for a few days somewhere between Najera and Burgos. We wound up in the same albergues for three nights and shared a few meals, a couple of beers and quite a few yuks. He is a retired US Marine, born and raised in Texas and currently a river guide on the Colorado. He made a memorable impression on me last year regardless of the fact that I am more than twice his age. He also left long lasting impressions on many folks along the way as his name was often mentioned weeks after I met him. He was kind, considerate, helpful and compassionate.
Well he was about to join his scuba charter so after chatting for 10 minutes and sharing a hug, off he went. But not before we shared our freshly minted tattoos commemorating our experiences last year. I have to tell you, the meet-up made my day - dang, it made my entire holiday. Afterward, I wrote a peregrino friend who Joel asked to pass on his best. My friend Greg also remembers Joel well and retold the story of them grabbing dinner last year on what turned out to be Joel's birthday.
It happens way to infrequently that I meet someone who is such a wonderful person. I have had the good fortune to do so a year and 5,000 miles apart. I have to tell you, I cried as we departed the pier in Cartagena.
I met Joel April, 2022 for a few days somewhere between Najera and Burgos. We wound up in the same albergues for three nights and shared a few meals, a couple of beers and quite a few yuks. He is a retired US Marine, born and raised in Texas and currently a river guide on the Colorado. He made a memorable impression on me last year regardless of the fact that I am more than twice his age. He also left long lasting impressions on many folks along the way as his name was often mentioned weeks after I met him. He was kind, considerate, helpful and compassionate.
Well he was about to join his scuba charter so after chatting for 10 minutes and sharing a hug, off he went. But not before we shared our freshly minted tattoos commemorating our experiences last year. I have to tell you, the meet-up made my day - dang, it made my entire holiday. Afterward, I wrote a peregrino friend who Joel asked to pass on his best. My friend Greg also remembers Joel well and retold the story of them grabbing dinner last year on what turned out to be Joel's birthday.
It happens way to infrequently that I meet someone who is such a wonderful person. I have had the good fortune to do so a year and 5,000 miles apart. I have to tell you, I cried as we departed the pier in Cartagena.
