So the good news is that I got some laundry done by the hotel at a reasonable price. This is NOT my laundry. This was hanging outside my bedroom window. I then wondered where my undies were hanging. Oh well at least they never saw my face with my granny panties.
My starter course was green beans. They are those big fat fresh green beans cooks with lots of seasoning. If you like your green beans crunchy, then you would hate these. They were wonderful. And there were a few free potatoes tossed in. The menu said one glass of wine was included and you can see they gave me a small pitcher. No body goes hungry or thirsty in Spain.
My main course was Pollo Guisada al estilo del Sr Antonio translated as chicken cacerol Sr Antonio style. Those are pan drippings underneath. Excellent meal. Most of the chicken is in a baggie for tomorrow's lunch. Nobody can finish a Spanish mean (well, maybe Dennis can). I even skipped dessert.
The pilgrim's blessing was really special. I got there early because I love the quiet time before everyone gets there and snuck on photo while the monk was lighting the candles. There were three monks in their long black tunics. The robes had the full sleeves so that heir hands were completely covered and they could cross their forearms with the sleeves hanging almost to the ground. They began with chanting and all three had beautiful voices. There was a long prayer, in Spanish but we had English words to follow along and then the Pilgrims Blessing: (also spoken in Spanish)
"Oh God, You who took up your servant Abraham from the city of Chaldeans, watching over him in all his wanderings. You who were the guide of thee Hebrew people in the desert. We ask you to take care of these your servants who, for love of your name make a pilgrimage to Compostela. Be a companion for them along the path, a guide at crossroads, strength in their weariness, deference before dangers, shelter on the way, shade against the heat, light in their discouragements, and firmness in their intentions, in order that, through your guidance they might arrive unscathed at the end of their journey and, enriched with graces and virtues, they might return safely to their homes, which now lament their absence, filled with salutary and lasting joy. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Pardon me my Catholic friends but one Monk flicked (?) incense or oil at each of us individually. It was a beautiful little service by the Benedictine Monastery of San Salvador Del Monte Iraco.
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