Camino de Santiago Portuguese - Day 5

Daily Overview

• Summary of the Day: 

  I’m sitting here in a little laundromat on the outskirts of Fao (think suburbs). We’re eating a light breakfast at the little cafe next door while we wash some of our clothes at this very small laundromat. The campground we stayed at is just up the road, so there were other pilgrims there. We talked with a couple from California who were doing their fourth Camino. The little cafe we were at had no menu. I think you basically just ask them if they can make you something, and if they have it they will. We had two excellent omelets. Today we’re doing a lighter day of only six miles ending up in Belinho. As of today, we have walked just over sixty kilometers (that’s right around 37 miles) in four days. We only have 196 kilometers to go. The walk through Fao (pronounced Fow) was beautiful. There is an ever-present aura that I would call the beauty of decay, expressed in so many ways. In buildings and houses, and signs. Walking into Esposende was beautiful with the river and ocean in the distance, but we walked for a good long time into a strong headwind wind and that slowed us down and wore us out. We made it to Belinho around four and are staying in a guest house in a residential area. Part of the challenge with walking the Camino is finding a place to stay where you end up especially if it’s a smaller town that isn’t one of the main “stages”. We had dinner at this little hole-in-the-wall restaurant with a sweet waitress. It included grilled pork ribs and pork chops, salad, fries, and bread. It was very good and we needed it since we missed lunch. Again, no menu, here are your options. Tomorrow we’ll be doing eleven miles arriving in Viana do Castelo. We’re looking forward to spending an extra day in this beautiful city and having a rest day from walking.

  
  

• What we planned to do: Today, we left Fa,o headed for Belinho walking a shorter distance than is normally required.

The Day's Focus

• Topic: Pilgrimage as a metaphor for life

• Word for the Day: Observe

• Scripture: "For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come." - Hebrews 13:14

• Spiritual Practice: As with the Camino, pilgrimage is a metaphor for life. We live through different "stages" or "seasons" that require different things from us. Perhaps in one season more patience, perhaps in another more strength. What stage or season of life are you in, and what is it requiring of you? Ask God to be that resource for you.

Moments and Images

• Images from the Way Today:

  

  Finally! An arrow that we can’t miss

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  
  

• Beautiful Spot of the Day: 

  

  The interior of this ancient house is overflowing with purple flowers

• Spiritual Meditative Moment:  Sitting in this beautiful church, left open for anyone to come and rest. I felt the grace and goodness of God there.

  
  

• What Church We Visited:

  

  How is something crafted with such beauty anything less than a passionate act of worship

• People we experienced: 

  We met two ladies just outside of Belinho in their late sixties who met in college and have been friends for 49 years, doing the Camino together. We have also encountered droves of young single women doing the Camino alone.

  
  

• Unexpected Surprises: 

  Getting water from a fountain placed there by a church just for passing pilgrims

  

  Sometimes the best way to express love is by meeting the most basic need of another

  

  This elementary school is located right beside the Camino and has a message for every pilgrim in their language

• Animal/Nature or local life: 

  

  This little dog is aggressively guarding his house from random pilgrims on the Camino. How did he get up there?

  
  

Reflections and Learnings

• Reflections from Today: If pilgrimage is a metaphor for life, then the symbols required for us to find our way are often hidden in plain sight, and we cannot see them because we are not looking in the right direction.

• "Well, that was hard": Walking a long way in a strong headwind

• "What helped me today": Having a brief rest in this beautiful church

• "Something I learned": Portugal still paves new roads with cobblestones. They must wear very well, but they are difficult to walk on.

• "Mystical occurrences": Feeling this amazing peace and presence standing in this grove of trees beside the road.

Daily Conclusion

• A View of Our Compostela

  

• Gratitudes (1–3 things I'm thankful for):

  A shorter day of walking

  Finding a convenient place to eat dinner

  Having clean clothes without having to wash them in the sink