Saturday, September 22, 2007

Albergue at Mansila de las Mulas

This albergue has a lovely central courtyard, with beautiful red and pink geraniums in window boxes and pots hung on the wall. There are tables where you can relax and eat. But Laura, the bright and happy hospitalera, is why I remember this albergue.

When you sign in, Laura asks you to pick a card from a pack and keep it as a reminder of the Camino. The side you see first has a picture of our beautiful blue planet. The other side of my card had a photo of two typical pilgrims walking along a flower-edged path, with the words “The Way is the goal”.

But there is more to Laura than that. She spent her spare time attending to the blisters and pains of pilgrims – and offering them comfort, probably the most important ministration of all.

Laura and her helpers made this albergue a happy place.

Weeks later, I said a prayer for Laura in the great cathedral in Santiago.

No comments: