A little later than expected, I walk out of Hospedaria San Martin Pinario to run some errands. Although it is still quite early in the morning, I am the only person on Rua Da Acibecheria, a rare occurrence on this narrow street that runs next to the Santiago Cathedral. As I move forward into the Praza Inmaculada, a couple walks through the old stone tunnel that leads from Praza do Obradoira.
“Elissa?” queries the woman.
I look at her quizzically, trying to place her face, my mind scanning the faces of all the people I have encountered and exchanged names with during the past 35-or-so days. But it doesn’t register and I stare at her blankly.
“Elissa?” she asks again. I nod. “I’m Denise.”
I can’t believe it! It’s fellow blogger Denise,whom I’ve never met in person. Denise writes about her Camino journeys on her blog, Jakobsweb, and she and I have been in contact via our blogs and Facebook during the past few months. I knew she was somewhere in the area but to run into each other like this…it feels incredible! Especially when she tells me that it was her boyfriend who recognized me first! “He saw you walking out of the hotel, turned to me and said, ‘Hey, isn’t that the Camino blogger you’ve been corresponding with?'” He had recognized me from photos!
We make plans to meet for dinner and as I walk away, I marvel at the timing of this “chance” meeting. One coffee less at breakfast and our paths would not have crossed, at least not here and now…
Synchronicity in general and Camino synchronicity in particular never cease to amaze me. And there has been more synchronicity than ever this year.
P.S. You can read about their Camino love story and subsequent Camino-themed wedding on her blog. (Even their wedding shoes were blue and yellow in keeping with the Camino theme!)
I’m catching up on your posts now that I’m home. Crazy, meeting a fellow blogger/pilgrim! Sometimes I think we are pulled by invisible magnets to the same places. Different people are pulled toward different places….
Well, to be fair, she also blogs about the Camino. I don’t know if you saw my post about how Camino blogger, Nadine, and I ended up starting the Camino del Norte exactly the same day after months of following each other’s blogs; crazy stuff!
Hello, Elissa!
It’s incredible how synchronizedy your words are, too… 🙂
Just a few days ago, when working in Puente la Reina, just leaving the Tourism Office, I met John and Seamus, from Ireland, that I’ve met in the Portuguese Camino, last summer. A few seconds more in the Tourism Office and we wouldn’t met, and shared a meal… So, I can’t agree more with you and I loved to read your post.
Looking forward to read your following posts..
Ultreia,
Rui
🙂
Ah, yes, I,too, have experienced my fair share of synchronicity on the Camino. It is magical, isn’t it? And lovely. And an affirmation of the goodness of the Universe.
Definitely! It’s been happening a great deal just generally the past few years. It never ceases to amaze me.
I’ve been there twice 🙂
Thinking of you, Elissa!
Hi Elissa
I have finally caught up. Sounds like your trip has had twists to it, can’t wait to hear all about it. I’m in my last night on the road. Home in 24 hours. Have a wonderful last couple of weeks. Walk on with joy!
Marian