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Posted On: February 13th 2026, 03:32 pm
Day 8 Part 3 - September 19, 2024- Estella to Los Arcos
“Join us,” said the woman of a smiling couple seated in the shade of an umbrella at the edge of the Plaza de Santa Maria in center of #LosArcos.
I immediately recognize the couple from Ireland, fellow pilgrims I had met earlier while we walked together on the #caminodesantiago.
For past few days, I had been passing them and they had been passing me. Like rotating shadows, passing each other only exchanging a “Buen Camino,” taking turns leading, but not engaging.
When I finally introduce myself, the introductions are easy. “Where did you start your #Camino?” “How far are you walking?” “I’m from New Jersey, where are you from?”
I learn that Mary and Brian are from Dublin and are only walking as far Logrono for the #Rioja Wine Festival. They are on #holidays—section hiking the Camino. Ireland and most of Europe is just a short plane trip away, so experiencing the Camino in sections is a popular option for Europeans.
We share the last five kilometers to Los Arcos. A pain in my left foot—Plantar Fasciitis—takes hold. But walking and talking with Mary and Brian softens the pain. Mary takes a posed picture of me leading the way.
We occur to each other as pilgrims as we pass each other multiple times, but now we are pilgrims with names.
“Other people seemed to know you
even before you gave up
being a shadow on the road
and came into the light…”
When we arrived at Los Arcos, my companions head for their hotel, while I check into the Municipal Albergue.
We say our goodbyes, I wish them well for the rest of their Camino by simply saying “Buen Camino,” not knowing if this would be the last time I would see them.
“…even before you sat down,
broke bread and drank wine,
wiped the wind-tears
from your eyes:
pilgrim they called you
again and again. Pilgrim.”
(Excerpts from the Poem “Camino” by @davidjwhyte)
Then as I walk from the afternoon sun into the shade of the Plaza de Santa Maria and sit down with Mary and Brian, I am again a fellow pilgrim.
We drink wine, share Pinxos, drink espressos and chat about Holidays in Germany to visit the Christmas Markets.
“Join us,” said the woman of a smiling couple seated in the shade of an umbrella at the edge of the Plaza de Santa Maria in center of #LosArcos.
I immediately recognize the couple from Ireland, fellow pilgrims I had met earlier while we walked together on the #caminodesantiago.
For past few days, I had been passing them and they had been passing me. Like rotating shadows, passing each other only exchanging a “Buen Camino,” taking turns leading, but not engaging.
When I finally introduce myself, the introductions are easy. “Where did you start your #Camino?” “How far are you walking?” “I’m from New Jersey, where are you from?”
I learn that Mary and Brian are from Dublin and are only walking as far Logrono for the #Rioja Wine Festival. They are on #holidays—section hiking the Camino. Ireland and most of Europe is just a short plane trip away, so experiencing the Camino in sections is a popular option for Europeans.
We share the last five kilometers to Los Arcos. A pain in my left foot—Plantar Fasciitis—takes hold. But walking and talking with Mary and Brian softens the pain. Mary takes a posed picture of me leading the way.
We occur to each other as pilgrims as we pass each other multiple times, but now we are pilgrims with names.
“Other people seemed to know you
even before you gave up
being a shadow on the road
and came into the light…”
When we arrived at Los Arcos, my companions head for their hotel, while I check into the Municipal Albergue.
We say our goodbyes, I wish them well for the rest of their Camino by simply saying “Buen Camino,” not knowing if this would be the last time I would see them.
“…even before you sat down,
broke bread and drank wine,
wiped the wind-tears
from your eyes:
pilgrim they called you
again and again. Pilgrim.”
(Excerpts from the Poem “Camino” by @davidjwhyte)
Then as I walk from the afternoon sun into the shade of the Plaza de Santa Maria and sit down with Mary and Brian, I am again a fellow pilgrim.
We drink wine, share Pinxos, drink espressos and chat about Holidays in Germany to visit the Christmas Markets.
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