While walking every day on the Camino, there is a rhythm to checking into a new albergue each evening. And for the hospitaleros, there is a repetitive rhythm to checking in new groups of pilgrims each day, just like the day before. I'm sure we all start to look just the same to them. Every once in awhile, you check into an albergue and get the feeling they have been waiting just for you. You feel seen, and your special experience as a pilgrim appreciated just from small gestures on their parts. These precious instances are engraved in our memories. Case Fernanda on the Portugues comes to mind and Ultreia in Castrojeriz, too. A small town on the way to Finisterre that invited us pilgrims to join them for a local Saint's day fiesta, jumping over a bonfire and eating grilled sardines. I wonder if they know how we carry these memories on forever?
