LEFT TOP : The Iron Cross or Cruz de Farrer where pilgrims leave a stone from home as a symbol of leaving past burdens . Other phots depict various stages of the Four Amigos ’ walk in Spain : Often the there were beautiful vistas , and each day some good food and drink . When they stayed in an albergue , they often found the accommodations to be tight .
for the journey varied from being a physical challenge to being a spiritual journey . It was something they all wanted to accomplish while they still could .
On the first day of their walk to Santiago it was cold and proved to be a tough introduction to El Camino . It took 11 hours to walk the first 21 miles ! For the whole first week , the Gilroy pilgrims experienced mud , rain , sleet and snow .
They quickly learned that it was more difficult than they had anticipated . There were many elevation changes … up the hill .. down the hill ! They learned there were many rocks , uneven paths , wind , fog and difficult conditions . They were plagued with tired , sore legs and blistery feet ..
They also learned of the special bond of support and comradery that just happens between fellow Camino pilgrims . The Gilroy pelegrinos , or pilgrims , used a hotel now and then , but some of their most memorable nights were in the albergues ( hostels ) with other pelegrinos . The albergues , however , could be a little crude . Facilities were often limited and sleeping arrangement not always the best . During the day , those on the walk trudged along , often alone with their thoughts , but in the evening , in the albergues , they shared the joys and pains of the day . In Santiago , one pilgrim from Walnut Creek hosted a hotel party for about 50 pelegrinos !
Along the way , the Gilroy Amigos became something of a legend among the other pilgrims . Since they often dressed in black , they were described as kind of scary or the Mafia group . One group of young ladies made it their mission to keep up with the “ old guys .” The Gilroy Amigos had fun with their reputation as the older group until a much older woman passed them up without a pause . The number of crosses along the way struck them as they came to understand that a cross marked where some pilgrim had died ! The movie , The Way , with Martin Sheen depicts this also .
Some pilgrims take on the hard-core attitude of a zealot pilgrim . The Gilroy Amigos took on a more relaxed approach and thoroughly enjoy the local food and drink .
The four Gilroy Amigos plus Jose Carlos Diaz arrived in Santiago de Compostela on April 24 . Monolo Diaz describes it in his blog :
We have arrived ! It was a bittersweet moment . Happy that the walking was over and we had arrived at our destination as planned . Sad that it was over and tomorrow won ’ t be the same . I was a bit moved when I got my certificate at the pilgrim ’ s office . An emotional moment .
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