Blessing of the Pilgrims in Monastary of Roncesvalles

The reception of the hotel is supposed to open at 14.00. The guy actually came 13.55, because this region is Baskcountry, people with extremely good workethics. The Basks are an interesting group in Spain having their own language. THey seem to have a fettish for the letters X and K as it seems they use them in everyword.

I am lucky to get a single room with bathroom plus a pilgrims meal since the place is booked solid. In my room I  am resting immediately - this day was EXHAUSTING!!!!

The pilgrims meal was served for 10€ in the restaurant directly adjacent to the lobby. Bruce from San Diego waits at the door and decids to join my table. Not a single chair is empty. The food was basic: rice, pasta and chicken. At my table I meet Emma and her boyfriend from Ireland. She had a rough day, too even her boyfriend on loaded some of her baggage in his backpack." I carried at least 15 kg", she states with a hint of exhaustion. " you can carry up o 20% of your body weight", I share with him as I red this on a sign in the pilgrims office yesterday. " that means you could carry 2 kg more", calculates Emma:))

After diner we rush into the church of the Monastary. An interesting group of 5 monks ( 2 in their 90s, 2 novices from Gabon and South Korea and one leading monk. The church is filled up to the last seat. As the main monk asked only Catholics to join the communion I was surprised that 3/4 remain seated even though everybody participate in the hole mass ceremony. For the final blessing all pilgrims gather around the altar - even the non Catholic ones - which shows that all people are looking for a sense of spirituality regardless of their religion:)

Lights off at 21.00... See you tomorrow