June 6th – It is raining softly outside when I awaken and I have a decision to make – do I take the route through the towns and along the route, or the alternate route with a 1200m climb but which promises spectacular views. Will it be clear enough to make the effort worthwhile?
I decide to have breakfast and ponder the options. I’m have a conversation with a family of four at the table next to me – parents who did the Camino four years ago who have returned with their teenaged son and daughter this time. A young man who is prematurely gray and who I’ve not seen before shyly asks if he can join me at my table and we all talk back and forth. The conversation between us all leads to the common question “Why are you walking the Camino?” and this young man replies that he recently lost both his parents and his eyes well with tears. I’m no longer pulled to get started on my walk for the day but instead enter into the not uncommon deep conversation that can happen quickly here. When we part, I know why the rain delayed my start for the day.
When I walk out the door and reach the fork in the road I choose the ‘high road’, heading for the hills.
I am almost immediately rewarded with a view of Villafranca and I begin to sense that I have taken the road less traveled – I see no other pilgrims. As I climb I am walking in the clouds, the air misty. The forest is lush and green.
As I climb, I can see that I will reach a summit and then walk across the hilltop heading west parallel to the ‘village Camino’ below me.
I feel like I am on top of the world. Wild flowers are to my right and to my left. The yellow arrow lets me know I am on the path.
This is such a beautiful experience and I’m so happy I chose this option. I will end the day at Ambasmestas before tackling the climb to O Cebreiro tomorrow when I will officially enter the Galacia region; but, the solo climb has been a very special day for me on the Camino.
One step at a time and always moving forward while seeing everything the days can offer me.
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