isobelmtl

I have walked on the Camino and I know what it is to worry about getting to an albergue, about getting a decent bed, about arranging for a meal.

My three companions and I have formed the habit of going for a coffee in a nearby cafe when our cleaning chores are done. Just as we were setting off a dreamy sort of young girl, a crown of lilacs flowers on her hair came to the door to ask if she could use our toilets. Without turning a hair my partner unlocked for and waited for her to leave. The rest of us rolled our eyes and fell to describing her as “ a hippie”, “ a bit lost”. And more.

After lunch the girl brought a German woman to us and translated her request to use our washing machine. She was staying in a camper van near by.

A few moments later the young girl, Maria, sat before us to request a bed. When we had explained all the house rules and offered a bed she told us that she had no money. Being the cynic I am I asked her how she ate. She replied that people kindly gave her food, My partner, Gilberto indicated I should take her to the women’s’ section and that he was going to the kitchen to prepare her a meal.

As I was showing her to the room I asked her why she lived in this way and , her eyes brimming with tears she replied that inner voices told her to try to live in a way that did not have money as its base. Having worked in a hospital as a social worker for over 35 years, when I hear about “ inner voices” I tend to want to consult psychiatry.

However.this was different. I liked Gilberto’s immediate acceptance of this true “ pilgrim”s explanation of her situation. I liked his immediate and unquestioning response.

Something to think about