I met a lovely Melbourne lass called Michelle last night. In my defence, I didnt mean to stay out so late!!
Our Albergue was full so the kids and I were put into an overflow hut down the street. What that meant was there was no wifi, so in order for me to chat to Michael, I needed to get the kids into bed and then walk up the street to the courtyard.
With summertime here, its hard to get the kids in bed before 9.30. - one because dinner and the bars arent usually open till 8 and teo, because the sun doesnt go down before then. Kids in bed, me in pjs and a light fleece, I set off, barefoot, up the street in order to catch Michael before he needed to go to work.
Just as I sat down, the signal failed, so as I wandered round foing the wifi shuffle ( you know, that lost desperate stare into your screen as you walk around the space) I overhear an Aussie accent talking about her blisters. Always one to help out with advice, I plonked myself down and we just started to chat.
We both identified with the freedom and power the Camino gifted us in speaking freely; without judgement. The beauty of the Camino is that there really is a level plsying field. We are all walking; got sore feet and legs, have sunburn, are tired and hungry. The only things we really want is a soft bed and a hot shower. Everything is stripped away; all the false pretenses, all the masks. We greet one another as fellow humans, nodding with respect at the journey we know the other has done to get here.
The lights went out on us, but that didn't stop us sharing deeply personal stories and views on life. We would have been there well past midnight and though I know neither of us wanted to leave, it was time to snuggle into bed and not think about getting up early and walking the next day.
I am sure she'd have loved to share a bottle of wine too.. Its the only thing missing from our D and M. Through our chats, she really clarified a few things, making events which I guess were true and I knew, but needed to to hear again.
After we said goodnight, i left the courtyard, closing the door; which clucked that ominous click of finality.
I walked down the street in my barefeet and PJs, horrified to see the doir of my home closed... And locked. I walked round and tested every window. At that time of night there was no way I could knock and wake anyone.
Lets just say, after considering sleeping in the church ( hard floor and very cold).. I resorted to some break and enter tactics.
Thank goodness it wasnt too high a window, though when I shimmied up onto the ledge snd saw what a drop I had to get to the floor, i sent a little prayer asking not to break my leg on the jump down.
Our 'shed'
