Muxia

What a 24 hours it has been! I don’t know where to start!

First of all, I heard from Gonzalo who is on his honeymoon. Pouring rain, wild wind and a cyclone meant that they couldn’t go out and do much. Apparently it caused a lot of destruction and they have had to move on to Bali…..Bali had an earthquake a few days ago, so I hope that is all that goes wrong!

While all that was happening, I decided to go to Muxia for a night to catch up with my friend Kevin Considine and meet his wife Mika. Kevin met me at the bus stop and took me to his beautiful home . The walls are plastered in every room with photos taken on his many many pilgrimages and walks around d the world and his photography is fantastic. (He is now known as The Global Pilgrim).

I sat out on the balcony, drink in hand, and absorbed the kindness and generosity they extended, while watching the birds soaring in the wind. The view from their balcony is unbelievable and shows Muxia in all its glory. I need to add here that the seagulls are enormous!

I went for a wander out to the point. Muxia is my “special” place. I feel a very strong Celtic connection here and it has a certain power. The waves crash onto the rocks with such force and the wind howls and rages wildly. It’s so invigorating !

The church is now open again so I went inside and soaked up the atmosphere as the haunting hymn piped through and reverberated off the walls. I lit a candle for you Meg, hoping it will bring an end to your family’s bad luck! I even tried to pray but it doesn’t come easily for me🥺

After this, I floated with the wind at my back, and returned to the house. Mika had prepared some tapas snacks and we drank some beautiful red wine. Kevin and I wandered into town and had dinner at a fish restaurant (Mika was full so didn’t want to come).

Then this morning, we watched “the Debate”, and sat chatting over coffee about all things related to life, and of course Camino. I picked up Alexander John Shaia’s book and mentioned that I’d always wanted to read it. Kevin left the room and the next thing…..Alexander walked in! He lives downstairs! What a magical time I had, sitting on that couch listening to his wisdoms and thoughts. Oh my! The first few pages of his book so clearly explain what it is like to experience the Camino, and wow, I was starstruck.

After he left, Mika brought out her lyre and sat quietly playing it in the background…so beautiful, and what a great way to end my time there.

Kevin and Mika are about to take off for 12 months walking the world again, so I’m glad we got to catch up and thank you both for such a lovely time. I forgot to get a photo together but I did get one of Mika

So then I bundled into the bus and headed back to Santiago, dropped my bag off at the apartment, and wandered into town for some more garlic prawn tapas. I sat next to an interesting g looking guy who was on his own, backpack at his feet and beer in hand. He looked very Spanish so I asked him where he was from and we struck up a conversation. Juan Carlos had just finished his camino and was about to go home to Valencia. I took a beautiful portrait photo of him with his phone and he returned the favour. It was a lovely exchange and I’m home now reflecting g on my fabulous 24 hours that seemed like a week! Oh how I love this part of the world!!!