I wanted to post about all the incredible people I've met! We have some time this afternoon and I don't want to forget. Feel free to ignore this post if you're not interested, I just know I'll want to look back and remember the individuals that have made my trip specail!
Please read while singing the theme song from "Golden Girls"
Erik and Laura: Siblings from Germany! Laura speaks very good English and is so friendly so she's very easy to talk to! She currently lives in a mountain town near Innsbruck, Austria. Erik is 2 years younger, 28 years old. He doesn't speak as good of English so we don't converse quite as much but you can tell when he gets a smirk on his face that he's about to say something to make everyone laugh. We lost trails with them a couple days ago when they took a train forward because he had some horrible open blisters! We hope to see them again tomorrow!
Nikki and Rich: Nikki is 43 as of 2 days ago! She used to be Rich's fitness trainer in New York until she moved to Florida a couple years ago. She planned the trip for them both! They are both characters. Very outgoing and very friendly. We enjoy talking politics with them as well! Nikki now considers herself my big sister on trail and off trail. She's also called Litebright... I've mentioned her a couple times now!
Nikki and I with the hotel pianist.
Hank and Lydia (aka Papa and Mama): The couple of the year! They're from Holland and are quick and experienced walkers. I can't remember right now but I think that they have walked multiple caminos. They are 76 years young and kick our butts on the uphill climbs. My excuse is that they don't carry backpacks. They are the sweetest and give us great advice. They always join for supper.
Jack: Jack has become like a body guard and a brother to Mom and I. He's a 33 year old cop from New York and the most agreeable person you'll ever meet. We rarely see him on trail but we somehow end up at the same place to sleep and for beer nearly every night. We've grown a sense of loyalty and we hope that we can arrive at Santiago the same day! He doesn't speak any Spanish so sometimes he asks me for help ordering dinner. Below is Jack and his "emergency biscuits" that have been getting crushed in his pack since day 2.
Also, Jack's favorite color is green.... because of the green power ranger. We're learning the very important information about our fellow pilgrims on the trail.
Sue and Angus: I call them "the chickens." This is because since the first time I met them which was just a quick encounter at first they have reminded me in every way of chickens from the movie Chicken Run. They are such characters. They live in Switzerland but are from the UK. They are always saying something sarcastic or ridiculous. Sue is very sweet and I love chatting with her. Angus is more sassy but still a pleasure. One of my favorite memories of them is Sue walking half way around the church from Angus so she shouldn't see him anymore then just yelling over and over "Anguussss, Angussss, Annngussss" with her sing song voice and accent. Sue also was the one who got the church unlocked for us. My favorite Angus quote is "New York is quite large dear, I'm sure there are more than 3 people there" in response to Sue's surprise of meeting 3 New Yorkers on trail.
Paul: he's the coolest. He's doing the Primitivo solo while his son does the French route solo. He speaks absolutely perfect English although Dutch is his first language. He's very interesting and holds a wonderful conversation. When he's done with the Camino he will go back to the starting point where his wife is waiting for him with their camper van! Paul always seems to find us for breakfast, snack, beer, and supper but we never see him on trail, he's a very quick walker and on his 4 th Camino! You'll see him on every group picture I've ever posted!
Francois: A 30 year old Frenchman who smokes like a chimney. He claims he's cut back on smoking since starting the Camino but I don't see how that's possible. We have seen him since the beginning but only in Borres did we start talking to him! He hasn't stopped talking since. He has a really odd and funny sense of humor and you never can guess what's going to come out of his mouth next. Tonight is our last night that we will see him and I'm sad to split ways!
Hopefully I can add a photo of him tonight! He rarely dines with us but always drinks beer with us.
Andy and Kathy: Lawyers from the Uk and lovely company on the trail. You may remember them from yesterdays post. Andy is super funny and Kathy is a delight to talk to. They are a recent addition to our little group, but a great one!
Annette: also a recent but great addition. She's from Germany but speaks perfect English. She let me wear her sandals today because my feet hurt so bad. She's so extremely friendly and always smiling. I'm happy to have met her!
SIDE CHARACTERS: people we see frequently but haven't really gotten to know.
Ari: a 74 year old who has done 9 caminos. He's very interesting and moved to the US from Brazil at age 22. He's fluent in both Spanish and English and I'm convinced his teeth are fake.
Daniele: is a young Italian guy who we see here and there. He's very friendly and was kind enough to call and reserve our room for us in Grandes when we were nervous to call and reserve in Spanish.
Morgan: often seen with Daniele or Francois is a delightful young French girl. She's done a lot of traveling and is doing the Camino with her dad!
The reader guy: always reading, wakes up early, that's all I know about him.
The Italian couple: wakes up early, super loud in the morning, we love them anyway
The 3 girls with long hair: one of them has hair down to her hips and it's bright green. She also puts on a full face of make up every morning. We see them every evening but the don't speak Spanish so we always just smile and greet each other.
Manfred: lovely company, has a compromised boot, haven't seen him in a few days
Manfred 2: lovely company, traveling solo, hard of hearing.
Edit****
Kissing couple: walks super slow, kiss a lot
Really old kissing couple: enough said
Group of 4 youngens: all super nice, we've seen them for a while now.
What a blessing to meet so many positive and influential friends on your travels!
And making everlasting memories and friendships!!
I love this post! What great fellowship you’ve found. We often experience God through others and it sounds like God put some amazing people on your path. And you on theirs! I know I’m blessed to have you both in my life!