Pilgrimage across Spain I - "Addiction"



Dear citizens of the world,

Like many things in life, logic plays only a small role in making decisions. Most people prefer to spend their weekends and holidays relaxing in comfort, others choose to walk (or cycle) across Spain on a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. Trails of of insanity that cause addiction (750 to 1000 km long).
Virgen of "locura" Insanity -- Protecting pilgrims along the trail

After ten days of suffering through the heat of July and 250km, my partner had many bad memories and did not want to return. However, after the blisters dissapeared and the hours of walking in 35ºC heat were forgotten, she decided to return to the Santiago trail with great enthusiasm... twice!


 Marcelino, the eternal pilgrim has taken this addiction to an extreme. He decided to dedicate his life to the trail and the pilgrims fourteen years ago when he became financialy independent. He spends his days sitting at a table in a park outside Logroño welcoming pilgrims, signing and stamping credentails (Pilgrim Passports), giving advice and handing out nuts and fruit.

The eternal pilgrim explains his behaviour by claiming complete addiction to the Santiago trail and its' ideals. Pilgrims are more friendly, helpful, caring, loving with others than in normal life. This feeling of constant love and support is what brings so many people back to the trail. Even to the extreme:

A monument to a pilgrim who died while on the way to Santiago

We were only on the trail for two days, but we had a great time, met nice people, drank fantastic wine, ate as much food as possible, and we will have memories (and photos) forever.

Maybe Marcelino is not so crazy after all?

The United Statesian

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