Two years ago I volunteered as a ‘hospitalera’ on the famous pilgrimage route, the Camino de Santiago in Spain. It had been over 10 years since I’d walked the Camino with dear friends Lanice and Rona. In 2022, Lanice and I ran the parochial albergue/hostel in Estella for 2 weeks [see earlier blog post]. In 2024, the pull of the Camino worked its magic again, and Lanice and I spent 2 weeks at another albergue along the Camino. This time, El Burgo de Ranero was our destination, a village of just over 800 inhabitants that relies almost entirely on the pilgrims who travel through on their way to Santiago.

Famous for its adobe buildings, the municipal-run albergue in El Burgo de Ranero had 32 beds, a large kitchen, and spacious shower/toilet rooms. Busy once again with cleaning, registration and hosting responsibilities, we were gifted in return with brief but meaningful encounters with the pilgrims who stayed with us. The townspeople we encountered were unfailingly welcoming and appreciative [ok, maybe not the municipal secretary, LOL]. So many stories were shared – why they were walking the Camino, what their ailments were and how we could help, or sharing a cold beer and laughs – it all nourished us and more than compensated for the work we did. On some nights we shared communal meals. On several occasions, pilgrims shared their gift of music, either harmonica, guitar or voice. The Camino is truly a unique, spiritual and transformative journey and filled me with hope that despite all the terrible events in the world news, there is much goodness and joy within people.

My favorite time of day was when I gave out the ‘blessings’ I’d prepared (a short prayer or inspirational thought) in 7 different languages – English, Spanish, French, Italian, German, Dutch and Korean. Examples: ‘May blessings rise up to anoint you.’ ‘With reverence, gratitude and acceptance, may you behold your life each day.’ ‘In claiming the beauty of your life may you recognize the One in whose image you are created.’

As pilgrims departed in the early morning hours, I would offer them a blessing in their own language. English, Spanish or French usually sufficed if the pilgrim’s own language wasn’t one of the 7 I had prepared. The smiles and tears and hugs I received in return told me that the effort was appreciated. I don’t believe I’ll return to Spain for another stint as an hospitalera, but I will carry forward many memories of people and the places I’ve travelled on the Camino.