This week’s theme: Companionable

One of the most memorable senses of companionship I have ever had the pleasure of having in my life to date was with the very special people I met when I did my pilgrimage across the north of Spain back in 1999, it also happened to be the 1000 year anniversary of the pilgrimage to the tomb of Saint James housed at the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela.

The first day I arrived in Pamplona at the pilgrim’s hostel the night before I began my 650 mile journey, I remember seeing the man in the above photo. It was several days before I would see him again and begin talking to him at one of the many hostels on the way that gave shelter to those walking the route, usually for a nominal donation. Little did I know on that first evening that this man was…