The Spanish

Just a quick post about the Spanish.  At least the Spaniards along the Camino.  Few seem to be smiling; perhaps it's the same at home when everyone is busy going about their business.  When you are traveling, though, you are definitely looking for a friendly face.  

Now, this is not to say that the Spanish haven't been friendly - mostly they have been patient and helpful.  Everyone from ticket agents in train stations to the farmers and shepherds in the Basque Country to the long-suffering owners of the little cafes and bars along the Camino.  Trying to serve peregrinos from every country.  They have a great system, though, of keeping most of their merchandise in a plexiglass covered display on the counters - so that pointing gets you what you want.

In the big cities, the young Spanish are dressed very well; the women like high heels, flashy colours and name brand fashion.  The night I spent in Logrono, there was a wedding in the big cathedral.  As we were finishing our supper, it sounded like gunfire in the street - but it was fireworks as the freshly wedded couple came down the grand steps of the church.  

Here's a pic of the classy wedding car:

It looked extra shiny as it was sprinkling.

Now, what you wouldn't want to be in Spain is a delivery truck driver that has to get to the small shops in the villages.  The streets are no wider than the path around Mirror Lake (that's in Camrose, and it's just an asphalt footpath).  

This poor guy drove in, drove back up, had helpers directing him, cafe tables had to be moved, he ended up going all the way back the way he'd come, turning around and backing in ... up to the door of the panaderia (bakery) [there was a pic of that bakery in the Najera post.]