Stage 27: O Biduedo to Sarria 31 km

 

Slate roofs in Galicia look like dragon's backs

Benedictine Monastery at Samos

Alfonso el Casto

Sarria

Sarria

9/27/24

Sarria.

“Pilgrims arrive via bus and rail stations and from this point on the route becomes crowded with new arrivals. Note: be aware of any signs of resentment at such an intrusion to ‘my’ camino–remember that many of the new arrivals may be nervous starting out and the last thing they need is aloofness built on the false sense of superiority. A loving pilgrim welcomes all they more along the path–without judgment.

–John Brierly pp 246

I have to admit that I felt overwhelmed (and a bit resentment) when I arrived at O Cebreiro. After trudging through the mud and muck I arrived at the small town to Celtic bagpipes and a large group of pilgrims who had just deboarded a bus. They went to the beautifully lit church and I followed. I realized that I didn’t need to be among the crowd so I left. I noticed the first two bars were filled with pilgrims and there ere Korean pilgrims in yellow ponchos (for the rain) along the road. I have to admit that I was a bit resentful–they had not experienced how hard the beginning of the pilgrimage was. But perhaps they were experiencing it now. Detachment and non-judgement.

Reme (from Sevilla) said the qualify of the new;y arriving  pilgrims is different. When she saw a few doing push-ups she called them “exhibicionistas!”