PEOPLE I MET

I met people from all over the world on my pilgrimage. I met a few who were walking its length for the second time. (I heard of one fellow who, upon reaching Santiago, turned around and walked all the way back to the beginning.) Everyone had their own reasons for making the trip. And no matter what the reason for the voyage, everyone encouraged and helped everyone else.

Nuria is from Andorra. She's a great athlete. Maybe it comes from living in the Pyrennees. She's also a lot of fun.

Ivan is from Girona, and really a funny guy. He's also very competitive and a strong bike rider.

Oscar and Luisa are from Vitoria. They speak English as well as I speak Spanish. They're funny, too.

The Nikkens are from Holland. And rode their bikes all the way from their hometown to Santiago. 1,500 miles. They inspired everyone.

The Quartels are a great family. I ran into them so often at the beginning of my trip that they probably thought I was stalking them. I didn't see them after I left Santo Domingo de la Calzada, but heard later that they made it to Santiago.

The Stindls are from a town near Heidelberg. On my last day in Santiago, I was standing in front of the Cathedral, when Dr. Stindl rode in, wearing his Yellow Tour de France Jersey. I was delighted to able to see him pedal into the praca.

I was so fortunate to meet these people. And it was purely by accident. If I had started 15 minutes later or earlier the day I left Santo Domingo de la Calzada, I probably wouldn't have met Nuria or Ivan or the Nikkens and ultimately, Oscar and Luisa. If my rear axle hadn't been loose, I probably wouldn't have met the Quartels. If I hadn't lost my credencial, I wouldn't have talked to that charming trio in Boadilla del Camino who located it for me. If the Stindls hadn't stopped for a drink of water near Montes de Oca, I wouldn't have met them. And so on.

I had planned to do the Camino alone. But my experience was infinitely more rewarding to have done it with these people.