I actually wanted to make progress

Today we made probably the shortest distance, about 20 km now. The last mountain of 1300 meters in altitude awaits us tomorrow. However, I stumbled upon a hippie hostel by chance. A pilgrim on the way asked me what my dog's name was and out of nowhere she asked if I was staying at the Ave Fenix Jato hostel. I told her that I had no idea where I was staying. But she turned around and said 'Ok, Buen Camino' and overtook. Two hours later it was hot, my tendon hurt, I looked at my list and this hostel was right in this place. So we went there. A peaceful place - 'Peaceful Place' :). The owner saw us, greeted Fiona warmly 'Sure, you can stay here with your dog!'. I especially like to stay in such places. You often meet different thinking and particularly friendly people. That's also the case here. If no one disagrees tonight, Fiona can even come to the room, the owner said. And I have a very special place, my bed is right under a star :)

Another hippie couple with a dog is sitting and playing guitar in the courtyard. They have been traveling all over Europe for 4 years.

Otherwise, only a few pilgrims have arrived so far but the woman who brought me here is not here. Unexplained things happen on the Camino. I read the signs and go along with them.

'Camino gives you what you need, not what you're looking for.'

Now, at noon, we're sitting in the park with Fiona, waiting for the siesta to end. Then we'll do some shopping, visit a church, get a stamp, and go to the hostel.

The stamps from the churches are usually very nice. The hostels usually only have the shell on them and the name of the hostel.

Some people may not like this topic, but here on the Camino I have rarely seen couples who are together in real life. I can probably count on one hand how many I have met. There was also a arguing sibling couple.

Most pilgrims are alone here. Some cheat on their partner on the Camino. Some singles are here looking for a partner and often find one. In the evening, you see freshly showered and newly in love pilgrim couples.

Some love only lasts as long as the two are on the Camino, they call it 'the Camino marriage'. Some other love on the Camino may last for many happy years together.

But today I had the pleasure of meeting a very special pilgrim couple. This morning, like every morning, I had a Coffee con Leche in a bar. I got used to that from the Italians in the first few weeks.

Two noticeably older men were having breakfast there and one was speaking German with an unusual dialect. We got into conversation and one of them is from the Netherlands. Both started from Jean Pied de Port, just like me. They told me they have been best friends for years and have finally found the time to take such a trip. So I said goodbye and didn't think I would see them again.

Showered and changed, I was not recognized when hours later I happened to walk behind them in the park. One lovingly took the other's hand, caressed it, and both looked at each other with a smile and happiness in their eyes.

How long have the two been such a happy couple? How long did it take for the two of them to find each other? How long did the two of them live unhappily until they became aware? It must not have been easy to be gay in their youth. But better late than never. It's wonderful that they can now be happily together and that they don't care what others think of them. I'm happy for love, in whatever form it may be.

I particularly miss my own love today. And I'm happy that I didn't spend my whole life looking for him. My wonderful and unique husband, I am grateful every day to have you.

I would love to hug my two daughters and be with them every single minute. Just over a week and I'll be with you, at home.

I wonder how Fiona will react when I say the little word to her that she knows so well 'Fiona, domoj!'