12th Day: Fátima and Porto

Why did I go to Fátima? I can't claim that I did it out of religious conviction. That would probably not be believed by someone who has left the church. Although that doesn't mean I don't believe. But that would go too far here.

I did it rather to experience such a historically significant, religious place (besides Jerusalem, one of the most important Christian pilgrimage sites) myself. Especially when you are 'close by'.

I wanted to feel whether I could feel the energy that is supposed to prevail here.

Unfortunately, I didn't feel that🤷🏼‍♂️ But if others feel it here, that's okay.

For those who don't know the name Fátima:

On May 13, 1917, the Holy Mother appeared to three shepherd children who were playing in a field.

Afterwards, she appeared to the three of them every 13th of the month until October and gave them three messages, of which only Lucia could hear her voice. These messages were only published in their entirety many years later by the Vatican. They are said to be the prediction of a 2nd World War, the conversion of communist Russia, and the assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II.

She promised to appear to everyone three months later, on October 13, 1917, whereupon 70,000 people went to the field on that day.

In pouring rain, they witnessed the so-called 'Miracle of the Sun'.

The sun emerged like a silvery disc from the cloud cover and began to circle, which filled the people with awe.

After visiting Fátima, I took the bus back to Porto to spend the last two days there.

In the hostel there, which is centrally located (€24 for 2 nights), I will go back to basics and sleep in an 8-bed room. I know that I'm not necessarily the type for it, but I want to meet people here again and take the feeling with me to the end of the journey.

Only 6 of the beds are occupied, so it will be fine. I have earplugs with me and there is air conditioning. 

After I ate in the city center, I talk to two Brazilian roommates about my journey on the Caminho and have two beers outside in the hostel's beer garden with Thomas, a Polish lawyer. Here I have to use my English again, but I get along well. 

That's one thing that I often missed on the journey: social contact.