leaving Granon
sign
February 23, 2006
View attachment 109190
Serendipity and tea
All was was bitter cold/windy as I arrived again at the San Juan Baptista parish albergue in Granon on the CF. "Work in progress" read a note on the door.
At lunchtime two fellows who were repainting the sacristy appeared and kindly cooked for three. Later a young Spanish pilgrim, Carlos, arrived.
By dinnertime lack of heat was a
problem! We four wearing coats/hats prepared and ate
arroz Cubano huddled together by the fireplace. Outside sleet fell/wind howled; inside cold penetrated.
After dinner drinking hot tea sitting in our sleeping bags atop floor mats Carlos and I chatted in English, French, and my limited Spanish. He at 18 wanted to "do good" and to "find himself" and was curious how I had "found my way".
Next morning Carlos and I walked up the Calle Mayor towards the sign pictured above. Shaking hands we wished each other "
Buen camino" and continued our solitary journeys across the cold countryside.
...
One week later as I arrived in snowy Castrojeriz at the door of the San Esteban municipal albergue Carlos waved excitedly. He had indeed "found his way" as an ad hoc
hospitalero. Thrilled with his new duties he asked "Hola Margaret what about a tea?" Served boiling hot in jam jars it was a mutual celebratory brew.
Basic shelter comfort, chance encounter serendipity, and sincere sharing are precious at any time or age.
..Long may that be so.