First day on the Camino-On to O Cebreiro

Well, we officially started our walk on the Camino. We began on a somewhat short but very steep uphill climb which was to just get our legs stretched and tuned up and to see if our hearts could handle altitude, loose rocks, mud, and rain. I found very quickly that when going up a 35-40 degree incline over rocky terrain that talking is bascially not on the agenda. Breathing is! I kept hoping that all 100 miles wasn't going to be like todays afternoon walk. Are you kidding me?

The sun kept peeking out, then rain, then of course a rainbow. I said this must be our sign that this was going to be OK, and that maybe this was all meant to be. Oh, I forgot to mention that horses also use this same trail and they also make quite a mess when you are only working with a 4-6 foot path. So, again 100 miles of this? We will see.

Our objective this day was to reach the hamlet of O Cebreiro that was situated at the top of this rocky pathway. How completely awesome was this tiny village! It had probably been around since the Crusades or even earlier. I believe the buildings, shops, hostels, church, and our little bungalow that we would stay in over night was right out of a history book. At least the interiors have been updated to modern standards but you felt you were transported to another era in time. Folklore, also has it that the Knights Templar had hidden the Holy Grail here in this hamlet.

A very unique Eucharist Miracle also took place here in 1300. The story goes that the village priest, who had some doubts about the True Presence, was about saying the Mass during an incredible snow storm. As the priest began the Consecration, a pilgrim burst in and was immediately chastised by the priest reasoning that his only reason for coming, was to receive a small bit of wine and a piece of bread. At this particular moment the bread and wine was transformed completely in the chalice to the true body and blood of Christ. This is still preserved today and was placed in a jeweled chalice, that was provided by Queen Isabella of Spain upon her arrival in O Cebreiro during her pilgrimage while walking the Camino de Santiago.

So even though our first official day was short on the trail, the history of this place was well worth the stop. It definitely cast some kind of spell on you and started preparing you for the following days journey when we would travel to Tricastela and then on to Sarria to stay overnight.

We still have no luggage, but still keeping our spirits up, laughing at our dilemma, and eating incredible home cooked meals. We will probably weigh more when we arrive in Santiago than when we started.
Buen Camino