Journey to Santiago
Reveiz shares part 4 of Camino Journal
We decided to take a much-needed rest in the beautiful city of León. A few days before arriving, we discovered a donativo—a place where food and rest are offered to pilgrims in exchange for whatever donation they can afford. But this was no ordinary donativo. It was the actual home of a husband and wife who had walked the Camino themselves and wanted to give something back to fellow pilgrims. Their doors were open to everyone, and their kitchen looked like a buffet at Shoney’s! They were among the most caring and generous people we had encountered on the entire journey. The husband also hosted a weekly podcast and asked if the five of us would join him as a Camino family. He told us it was unusual for a group to remain so close and connected for so many days. So, while in León, we sat down together and shared our Camino story on his podcast.
Every morning before beginning our walk, the five of us would gather in a tight circle, place our walking poles in the middle, and Nancy would say a prayer asking the Lord to bless our journey. We quickly came to call this ritual “Sticks In.” As we left León, however, we were saddened that Melissa, one of our Camino family members, would no longer be walking with us. We came up with a way to keep her involved. We began hiding little surprises and notes along the route, then sending her pictures and Google pin drops so she could find them. It became our own Camino scavenger hunt — and our way of reminding Melissa that even though she was no longer walking beside us, she was still very much part of our Camino family.
