Kevin Considine
Active Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- 2021
A second hospilatero, Salvador, then hands me a plastic cup of cooled tea with lemon. I had forgotten to fill up my water bottle this morning and only had a few sips of water all morning and this tea tasted like an elixir from the gods. And then Juan explains that payment is by donation only and would I like a lower or upper bunk. Rarely have I felt this welcome, even on the Camino, and I broke into tears feeling such gratitude to these men and the town of Castilblanco de Los Arroyos. The dormitory was nothing special but it was clean and they had fresh pillowcases and sheets. The shower was hot, the laundry facilities were adequate but my plaster(bandaid) had fallen off my finger and the cut from yesterday was still bleeding and not healed. Moments later returning to my bunk I noticed a basket with some basic medical supplies and found two plasters hiding under a bottle of alcohol.
As I walked down the stairs seeking to find a restaurant for lunch I thought there is something about this place that is special although it was similar to most other municipal albergues I’ve stayed at on various Camino’s. I felt The Camino reaching into my heart and humbling me with the kindness bestowed upon me. Then as I reached the lobby there was a group of Down’s Syndrome kids with a male and female supervisor and they had a simple display on the hospitalero’s table with inexpensive Camino souvenirs. Without another thought I bought their entire inventory and knew that I would be handing out small gifts to my fellow peregrino’s the next few days.
As I sit enjoying a filling and delicious peregrino meal of salad and venison stew and the ubiquitous glass of vino tinto, I realize my sluggishness is gone. I am into my Camino rhythm and feel at peace and excited about what tomorrow will bring. Also knowing that the Castilblanco de Los Arroyos Municipal Albergue may be nothing special but it is special to me……that is enough.
Buen Camino!