Gadflyparexcellence
Active Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Walked in "2016," "2018," "2022."
I stopped by El Peregrino Bazaar, Amancio Yagüez's iconic workplace in Castrojeriz's Plaza Mayor, last week. The shop was closed when I got there about ten minutes before 5pm. I sat down on a chair in the arcade hoping to simply pass time. Promptly at 5, I saw a figure coming out of a building across the street and heading towards the arcade. As he came closer, I realized it was Amancio. He opened his shop and got inside. I gave him a few minutes to settle down. Then I knocked on the door of his shop, and he appeared from the back of the store with a somewhat curious look. In the background I could hear some soothing music.
In my rudimentary and broken Spanish, I tried to explain to Amancio that I was a returning peregrino just stopping by to say hi to him and offer my sincere thanks and gratitude to him for all he has done for the pilgrims over the decades. I was not sure if he fully understood what I was saying but I'm pretty sure he comprehended my body language as he nodded and kept repeating the word 'gracias'. I asked him how his wife was doing and he seemed to respond with a subdued smile. As I left his shop, he said gracias again.
A few minutes after I left Amancio's shop, I headed to the tourist office inside the Church of Santo Domingo. I mentioned to the young lady at the Tourist Office desk how glad I was to see Amancio again and show my appreciation of what he has meant for the pilgrims. She was glad that I did as according to her that it was likely more than ever pilgrims have a special significance for him. I asked her to explain what she meant. She responded by saying that just two months ago Amancio lost his beloved wife. Against this loss, Amancio's work continues to fill a huge void, she added. "Each time he sees a pilgrim it brings joy and meaning to his life."
So if you're passing through Castrojeriz, please stop by Amancio's shop. Just a simple hi and thank you would mean a lot to this iconic nonagenarian
In my rudimentary and broken Spanish, I tried to explain to Amancio that I was a returning peregrino just stopping by to say hi to him and offer my sincere thanks and gratitude to him for all he has done for the pilgrims over the decades. I was not sure if he fully understood what I was saying but I'm pretty sure he comprehended my body language as he nodded and kept repeating the word 'gracias'. I asked him how his wife was doing and he seemed to respond with a subdued smile. As I left his shop, he said gracias again.
A few minutes after I left Amancio's shop, I headed to the tourist office inside the Church of Santo Domingo. I mentioned to the young lady at the Tourist Office desk how glad I was to see Amancio again and show my appreciation of what he has meant for the pilgrims. She was glad that I did as according to her that it was likely more than ever pilgrims have a special significance for him. I asked her to explain what she meant. She responded by saying that just two months ago Amancio lost his beloved wife. Against this loss, Amancio's work continues to fill a huge void, she added. "Each time he sees a pilgrim it brings joy and meaning to his life."
So if you're passing through Castrojeriz, please stop by Amancio's shop. Just a simple hi and thank you would mean a lot to this iconic nonagenarian
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