Opciones

Options. We certainly have had them during this trip. Since our last blog, we’ve changed courses. We took a taxi back down to Rates, a town close to Porto, and are now walking the central Camino of the Portuguese Way.

Options. The name of this week’s blog has had many option such as “As Time Goes By” or “We Are Without Left Feet”. Jay started listing them as I would say what do you think about….? Then I shared, no need to, as the right one will stick whenever it comes. Side note: who’s carrying the backpack and who isn’t?

We would like to dedicate this week’s blog to our sweet friend, Kathy Pfari, who passed away in her sleep last week. She will be missed in so many ways. She had a true servant’s heart. I will miss her sweet prayers each week on Wednesday Zoom Prayer Group. It is another reminder to make each day count. How do you do that? What are your options in making your day count?

Options. As we changed routes, for us the central route feels more like the Caminos we have walked. Our granddaughter asked which one do you like best? My answer is your first one will always have more of your heart. It’s what Camino means to you. Each one is special and unique in their own way. So the answer is all of them when you find your “why” for walking. As we have talked to other pilgrims who have previously walked, the consensus is their first.

As of today’s writing we have walked 201 actual Camino kilometers – 124 miles. This doesn’t include some of our optional routes. I stand corrected – last week I told you there are three routes from Porto. We found a fourth, and we walked that one too. Jay said, “you found a way to turn 108 kilometers into 132 kilometers, by finding optional route.” True, and even more kilometers than that.

This week we have met people from the following countries: England, Canada, more from the Czech Republic, Denmark, Sweden, Germany, Brussels, Austria, Australia, even Texas. (We both said how sorry we were for each other when we told him we lived in Oklahoma for many years.) Also a Canadian wearing a Curacao hat. Of course we asked if she speared Lionfish. (Didn’t think I could get the word in this time.)

On the central route there are what we would call detours. In Portugal they might say provisional ways. In Spain, complamentario paths.

We have had options of where we have stayed. From hostel living to Paradores (Fairmont style)

Alway the best part are the stories we hear from those we meet.

Our taxi dropped us off in front of this museum. The museum was showing art work of different graineries called “Horreos” in Portugal and Spain.

Then he showed us this and said look inside.

Wow! Then we found a coffee shop off the beaten path. (Needed a stamp for our book and a bathroom.) The owner began sharing his story -three sisters in the US, however he said he lives in the best part of Portugal. (Don’t you love when someone’s heart is so joyful of where they live and what they do?) He believes the best American musician of all time is Bruce Springstein because he sings for the people and this Portuguese man loves rock and roll.

How about Fernanda. A woman with a heart so big and full for the pilgrims. She runs a hostel in her home. However that night so many needed a place to stay, she was giving rooms inside her home, which she normally does not do, and calling her neighbors to ask if they would allow pilgrims to sleep over. She had the hardest time turning the tired and weary away. That night she found space in her home for 15+ pilgrims. She told me how sad she was that there were 30 she had to turn away that night because of no room anywhere. Fernanda does this every day- feeds and provides a place to sleep for as many as she can. Crowns in heaven are stored up for this precious woman.

How about this woman doing laundry on a washboard in the nearby clear running stream.

This gentleman has a small shop to provide for those getting ready to tackle their most difficult day on this route. Thank you, Jesus for him. Jay forgot his walking sticks at home. He had sticks for Jay.

Prior to coming across this gentleman, we saw this statue. The resemblance to the gentleman is amazing, right!?

We have had options to rest in other towns not on the Camino but are ones not to miss while in the area if your time allows. One of them was beautiful Braga. Braga is the third largest city in Portugal. Home of two beautiful cathedrals. One of them is where Pope John Paul delivered a mass, then blessed the city from an outstanding view of the city standing between statues of Joseph and Mary.

Our tour guide, Hugo, pronounced “Ugo” was not only kind, but full of information regarding Portugal and Braga. He shared about ground breaking research with nano technology that will soon be tested on humans with cancer. (He was not aware of my diagnosis when he was sharing this.) When we told him about my diagnosis, he continued sharing about a clinic in Lisbon that are doing cutting edge cancer research. His wife is a physician. Is the Lord getting us prepared to move to Portugal? Hmmm……

Our rest day in Braga was graduation Day for the students of the University of Minho. Each year they have a parade with all the students. (The construction science department were the rowdiest) The graduates are on the flatbed trucks while the under grads are walking behind paying homage. It is a party until wee hours of the night. The graduate robes look like those in Harry Potter. We heard this is where the writer got her idea for the attire.

My favorite was a graduate of the architectural department saw his Grandma sitting next to us. He ran over bringing his classmates and they sang her a song while he sat with her. The bar has been officially raised for my grandchildren.

These younger boys are saving for their education and have set up a snack station on the weekends for pilgrims. One is working on his degree in mechanical engineering, the other still in high school deciding what will be next for him. As a grandmother with granddaughters – could be good options.

Options. There is so much to share. Here are a few pictures of the scenery we have walked by.

Options. In everyday living we are blessed to have the options in front of us. The freedom to choose – freewill. Just as the movie “Bruce Almighty” said. You can’t mess with freewill. We do have the option to pray for one another. Just like our sweet friend, Kathy, did every week, pray for our leaders. Pray for your loved ones to make the decisions that are in the right direction. And when they don’t, we have the option to be there to pick them up, just like the prodical son story. Have you ever been the prodical? Who helped you back up? Thank them. Remember, they had the option to not. I have several in my life I am thankful they chose the option to help.

Blessings, Jay and Kelly