Walking the Camino De Santiago in the winter is a completely different matter than any other season. It can be dangerous if the correct equipment is not carried and clothing worn. As we stepped out of Santo Domingo this morning, the wind cut straight through me. It was blowing over the snow capped mountains and the conditions became arctic like.

Common sense is important and I decided that we would stop in the next town and stay there until the weather changed. Snowed was forcast for later that day and with the strong winds we may of had a blizzard white out on higher ground.

Everything happens for a reason and the wind seemed to blow us right into what is maybe the coolest albergue on the Camino. If it weren’t for the severe weather we would have walked straight through Granon and missed the magical albergue, a place were we felt completely at home staying in.

The preist came into the albergue to see what pilgrims had arrived. He invited us down to mass that evening. neither Victoria or I are religious, but we do appreciate an auspicious intention and so we went to the evening mass.

The chapel was about 85% middle age and elderly women, with very few men to be seen. It seemed that the women went to church and the men went to the bar and drank whiskey, watched the football and played domino’s.

When I say that we are not religious, I by no means mena that we are atheist. We have an understanding and experience of God or the infinite intelligence that created the universe and governs her laws, and we see some value in all religions and the religious texts can be very helpful for us to build a foundation for our spiritual and conscious understanding and awakening.

Of course many use religion for control of the masses and to justify inauspicious acts. There is no greater temple or church than the one that resides within each of us and there is no greater priest or advisor than the voice in our hearts.

The mass was in spanish so we understood only a little of what the priest was saying, but then he beckoned us to come to the alter. We had already created a stir when we entered the chapel carrying a baby and now as we walked up to the alter the chins really started wagging, as the priest stated that we were pilgrims on the road to Santiago.

The crowd needed to be shooshed as there babbling became louder and louder. i can only image what they wer saying, as the weather outside was harsh, and to be walking with a baby in it must of blown their minds a little.

The priest gave us a blessing and wished us well for the rest of our Camino. It was very much appreciated, and we gave the towns people a good deal to gossip about in the otherwise sleepy town of 300 inhabitants.

Would the camino de Santiago allow us to walk tomorrow? I don’t know, but I am happy were we are even if it doesn’t!

P.S.We are able to take a month out to walk the camino as we earn a passive residual income online. Want to do the same? Just click below to find out more.