And that's exactly why I want to start there! It is so special, and I didn't get to spend nearly the time I wanted to this past spring.
I got there just after 9, when the church opened. The clear, sunny morning had turned overcast and misty by the time we got to the monastery, giving it a mystical, ethereal feeling. But my knees were in serious trouble and the walk up the mountain hadn't done anything to help -- not even with an overnight at the wonderful albergue in La Faba. I spent some time in the church, then hobbled along the mountain top. To this day I'm not sure how I made it to Fonfria! But that was pretty much the end of my walking.
So what better place to restart than O Cebreiro. This time I can go to the pilgrim mass and spend quiet time in the village, preparing for this latest stage of my pilgrimage and thinking about all those who have passed before and will come through in the future. No matter what happens to my knees between there and Santiago, I should be in good shape on day one.
I am so looking forward to it!