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As with every group I’ve brought on the Camino Santiago, the majority of the folks were just awesome.
And as always, this Camino group and I received our share of small kindnesses from the big-hearted, hospitable people of Spain.
Here are just a few I remember in 2018.
In Pamplona, the owner of Hotel Eslava offered me free breakfasts with our rooms. It was a nice surprise!
In SJPP, Pierre kindly held ALTUS ponchos for members of my group without asking for a deposit.
On the way to Orisson, I jokingly stuck out my thumb, and a car stopped and gave me a needed ride up a steep hill.
In Roncesvalles, the hospitalero saw how weary we were, and carried our bags upstairs. He also did a bed check for a worried pilgrim who thought she might have bedbugs in her bunk.
In Pamplona, a restaurant owner served a group of us during off hours just because we were hungry.
In Puente la Reina, the management patiently assisted one of my pilgrims who didn’t understand the key needed to be in the slot in order for the lights to work.
In Viana, our host José took one of my pilgrims to a physiotherapist after she had turned her ankle. He also offered to go buy medicine for my flu.
In Rabanal, Cristina, who was as sick as I, managed a nice family style dinner for our group.
In Molinaseca, Antonio arranged two wonderful places for us to stay when his staff made a mistake and double booked.
In Villafranca, I found 5 euros on the ground. Thanks Universe!
In Sarria, José, our host, made us wonderful homemade Sangria and bacon/cheese tapas.
In Portomarin, Carmen and Luís presented our group with a beautiful Tarta de Portomarin.
In Castañeda, Maria made sure everyone was comfortable and happy with their lodgings and loaned umbrellas for the walk to dinner.
In Pedrouzo, Maribel took a group of my pilgrims to dinner in her car because it was raining.
All of these people did these things out of their love and appreciation for the pilgrims.
When I feel depressed because someone was unkind, or treated me rudely, these are the thing I want to dwell on. These are the things I will hold in my heart, the small kindnesses that make life a joy.
The good.
It’s there, and you don’t even have to look for it.
As for the rest . . . I’m taking Alex Elle’s advice:
“Ignore people who threaten your joy.
Literally, ignore them.
Don’t invite any parts of them
Into your space.
Live Life Happ
In Pamplona, the owner of Hotel Eslava offered me free breakfasts with our rooms. It was a nice surprise!
Great comments about Hotel Eslava. My wife and I have reservations there later this month. I loved the pics and comments on Booking.com and love that it is located in the old town next to the historic walls. We'll arrive in Pamplona on a Sunday. In most Spanish towns very few places are open. That's not the case in Pamplona - many stores, restaurants and bars are open since it is a tourist mecca. Bob
As with every group I’ve brought on the Camino Santiago, the majority of the folks were just awesome.
And as always, this Camino group and I received our share of small kindnesses from the big-hearted, hospitable people of Spain.
Here are just a few I remember in 2018.
In Pamplona, the owner of Hotel Eslava offered me free breakfasts with our rooms. It was a nice surprise!
In SJPP, Pierre kindly held ALTUS ponchos for members of my group without asking for a deposit.
On the way to Orisson, I jokingly stuck out my thumb, and a car stopped and gave me a needed ride up a steep hill.
In Roncesvalles, the hospitalero saw how weary we were, and carried our bags upstairs. He also did a bed check for a worried pilgrim who thought she might have bedbugs in her bunk.
In Pamplona, a restaurant owner served a group of us during off hours just because we were hungry.
In Puente la Reina, the management patiently assisted one of my pilgrims who didn’t understand the key needed to be in the slot in order for the lights to work.
In Viana, our host José took one of my pilgrims to a physiotherapist after she had turned her ankle. He also offered to go buy medicine for my flu.
In Rabanal, Cristina, who was as sick as I, managed a nice family style dinner for our group.
In Molinaseca, Antonio arranged two wonderful places for us to stay when his staff made a mistake and double booked.
In Villafranca, I found 5 euros on the ground. Thanks Universe!
In Sarria, José, our host, made us wonderful homemade Sangria and bacon/cheese tapas.
In Portomarin, Carmen and Luís presented our group with a beautiful Tarta de Portomarin.
In Castañeda, Maria made sure everyone was comfortable and happy with their lodgings and loaned umbrellas for the walk to dinner.
In Pedrouzo, Maribel took a group of my pilgrims to dinner in her car because it was raining.
All of these people did these things out of their love and appreciation for the pilgrims.
When I feel depressed because someone was unkind, or treated me rudely, these are the thing I want to dwell on. These are the things I will hold in my heart, the small kindnesses that make life a joy.
The good.
It’s there, and you don’t even have to look for it.
As for the rest . . . I’m taking Alex Elle’s advice:
“Ignore people who threaten your joy.
Literally, ignore them.
Don’t invite any parts of them
Into your space.
Live Life Happy!”
Your philosophy of focusing on the many small good things is clearly the right thing to do.
I’m still stressing about that €5 note I dropped in Villafranca a while ago - but I know it’ll turn up one day.
Via con Dios.
When I first read you long list of woes I though oh my, they really shouldn't let these folks loose on the world. Then I chuckled, nothing too bad and its reassuring that there are people in the world who go out of their way to help right even the little things. I guess it's worth remembering that even most of the big things that go wrong can be broken down into manageable chunks and dealt with.
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