I spent a lot of time thinking I wanted to walk the Camino alone before I came. I tried that the second day and found myself speaking Spanish with three older men from Barcelona. The interaction started after I turned around backwards to walk down a hill. They asked why I did that and we ended up walking the rest of the day together. Michel, Jordi, and Josep. This was day two. I would see them everyday. For the past five days we have been walking, eating, and living together. A few days ago Josep had to return back to Barcelona due to knee pain. Jordi and Michel walked to Burgos with us and left this morning top head back home as well.

Being around these people for almost a week brought me so close to them. I feel like I have known them my entire life. Another guy we are walking with, Reagan, brought up a good point at our last dinner together last night. He said something along the lines of that these are the memories we will remember for the rest of our lives. Which is so true even if they are ever repeating days of walking, getting to the town, resting, going to dinner, laughing hysterically until you cry, and then trying to go to bed with a bunch of terrible snorers in the room. It’s the best groundhog’s day I’ve ever had. Even after walking all day and being dead tired I still found myself always getting out of bed in the morning and after my afternoon nap to spend time with these beautiful people.

This morning we had to day goodbye to Michel and Jordi. I felt like I was in a movie. We walked them out their taxi hugged and kissed them on both cheeks and watched Jordi get fussy in Spanish one more time. I felt like crying and I probably will once we start walking again but for now I can only think of a saying from Dr. Seuss, “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” How lucky I am.

It was the most amazing thing to see friendships made over such extensive language barriers. Michel spoke pretty good English and Jordi only spoke Spanish. Another man we have been walking with, Erik, would talk to Jordi as if they spoke the same language, they would laugh until they cried and love each other like they have been friends for years. For me when talking to Jordi it was a lot of gesturing and broken Spanish. We would talk and joke, we could have whole conversations just through arm gestures and facial expressions. Bodily communication is just as powerful if not more than verbal.

I am going to miss the way Michel said “people” and “heads up” and as for Jordi the way he shook his hand and furrowed his brow when something was impressive or surprising to hear. They always brought so much light and laughter into the environment. Never a bad day with the two of them.

It’s breathtaking to see the amount of love I have given and received from them.

Nosotros estamos un familia. Nosotros queremos como un familia. Estoy muy contento con la experiencia nosotros compartimos. Vos extraño ya.