Very frustrated as I know I wrote on this two days ago and I guess it didn't publish. I will try to bring you up to date so much happens in a day. I think I will spend many hours processing this journey. On 25 Sept we arrived in Rabinal at 10:30.  Really too early to stop but we had been told so much about the monastery Alburgue that we ultimately put our packs in line and waited until 1:30 to sign in and get a bed.  Went to noon Mass. The church was very simple and beautiful.  Signed In and were able to get three lower bunks in the annex.  Went to tea at 4 and met some of our fellow pilgrims.  Vespers were at 7 and the three monks sang the Gregorian Chant.  It was Bob's favorite and one one of the highlights for Helen. I love the Gregorian Chant and the environment just made it all so wonderful.  Had supper and returned for night prayer and a pilgrim blessing at 9:30. Happy we stayed!!
The next morning we started for Cruz de Ferro, the highest point in the Camino and where pilgrims leave rocks they have picked up on the way or brought from home, to put at the foot of the cross to symbolize letting go or unburdening.  I decided to pick up a stone for those in my life I was thinking about and praying for on my journey. I was happy to get to the cross and empty my waist pack of many stones!!
Fast forward to Ponferrada where we visited the Knights Templar Castle of the 1400s.  Had an ice dinner. Met Lily from Brazil, living in Australia. So fun.
Made a decision to skip a couple of stages so took a bus and taxi to Herrerias where we had made reservations withVictor to take us up a steep mountain on horses!  I had Bunny and she took good care of me, knowing right where to step on this mountain of stones and rocks. Victor was wonderful. He walked the entire way up. He arranged our taxi to Triacastle and stayed Alburgue Limos. New and very nice.  Had paella for supper at a lively pilgrim cafe!!
The next day walked to Samos and a 6thcentury monastery that Karen wanted to take a detour for. Along the way I followed an old man and a young man. The young man was so calm and such a good listener. The old man was talking about life and literature and art.  It was so moving.
Arrived in Samos. Got in line for a bed in the monastery. One of the pilgrims said she had stayed before I asked what it was like and she said it definitely was not a five star.  I asked how many stars she would give it, at which point the hospitalero looked me and said it had no stars it is a church and has a cross!  Point taken.  We did have hot water!  At Mass a group of young South Korean youth sand and played drums and guitars. Afterwards they gave a concert on the monastery lawn. Very neat.
Went from Samos to beyond Samos. Down to the last 100 kilometers!
Stayed in Barbadello and then walked 15 k to Portmarin.  Met up with several pilgrims we had met along the way. Fun!  On the way I walked with Ian, a priest from CA who is on leave of absence. He was the youngest man to be ordained in his diocese. He is now 33. Said he shed many tears and fought through lots of fear but he made a good decision to take a leave of absence and if he returns he will be a better priest. Good for him! On one of the hills I told him to go on and I told him when we see each other again it will be very exciting and we will hug as long lost friends! That is the strange thing about this pilgrimage: you meet someone and talk for 20 minutes then the next time you see each other it is a real happening!  Last night, two days after I met him, I am going into a restaurant and I hear "Jerry, Jerry" and up comes Ian and we hug and greet each other as long lost friends!!!!
Enough for now. Helen and Karen want to decide where to stay tomorrow night!