9-27-13

This evening was one of the most memorable of the Camino so far.  I stayed at the Santa Maria alberque, in a room with only three others - Doug and Lari from Franklin-Pierceand a very kind woman from Slovenia.  At 5:30 in the adjacent church was vespers.  One of the three nuns sang and played an instrument I've not seen before, shaped a bit like an Autoharp, but not strummed.  She just slid her hand from top to bottom and the sound was like an electrified harp.  Her voice was sublime, no other word will do.

Afterwards, in the foyer of the alberque the nuns and the bilingual hospitalero hosted a "encuentro musical."  There were song sheets for all 40 or so pelegrinos,  sitting in around the room and up the stairs, songs from four languages.  After a few songs led by the angelic voice of Sister ??,  we were invited to go around and say ournames, where we come from, and  why we were walking the Camino.  After the first few people,any of us (including me) had years strewing down our cheeks.  Then the hospitalero asked if anybody would like to sing a song from his home country.  

We heard from Sweden, Korea, France,  Armenia - I wanted to sing "Side by Side"  but couldn't remember all the words.  Of course two days later in the shower I sang it flawlessly, joined by an American man in the next stall.  Oh, we'll. 

Then there was the pilgrim mass with more exquisite singing.  A  beautiful evening all around,