"Animo" is the Spanish word for "encouraged". And that is how the pilgrims feel on the Camino. As i need previously encourage graffiti appears on buildings, underpasses, gutters and sign posts along with the usual scribblings of undying love, tagging and politic protest.
Some is wry comment on insensitive work on the Camino by authorities,some confronts pilgrims with serious questions about the nature of their journey, others, as above are just put there to help.
Nor is it necessarily written, coming out of Borgos in the pre-dawn yellow argon lamps made the ever present yellow arrows pointing the way disappear. Most times I hesitated one of the many delivery people or street cleaners active in the small hours would get my attention, post the way and yell "Buen Camino", it is a 800km thread of communal kindness.
And finally, the volunteers, who come from all over the world to be 'hosteliers' working to help those attempting the journey. At one extreme they can do something as simple as stamping credentia and a the other putting on sophisticated musical performances such as the one attended at the plain Romanesque but beautiful St. Martin's at Fómista.
By their deeds you will know them.
Posted from Lee Shipley's phone
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