Woke up late this morning at 10 am. We are turning in Spanish Vampires. Marybel was checking for bite marks just in case we were bitten without knowing it. There was a time change in effect. They sprung forward an hour so 10am was really 11am.

We took our coffees in the hostal bar downstairs. Marybel chatted with the Hostal’s bartender/waitress/cook/housekeeper, Mary Jesus. She found out that Mary Jesus would like to imigrate to Canada because she has been told that the job situation is better than in Spain. I am inclined to agree once we found out how much she is paid monthly for her “Jack of all trades” kind of job at the Hostal. Her income is $1000 Euros a month. Incredible how she manages to survive but she has to.

After breakfast and coffee, we walked to the Main Plaza and were in time for the Easter procession. The procession ended at the church where we took our places at one of the front pews. It was reserved for some dignatories but as it was empty, the lead priest motioned all who were standing in the back to come up front to fill the pews. Lucky us. We sat behind the Mayor of Ponferrada with his family and it was a beautiful celebratory Mass.

After mass ended, I was allowed a quick photo opportunity with the Mayor. He even gave me the usual Spanish greeting with kisses on both cheeks.

We explored the city some more and then made our way to the Ponferrada Albergue for the night. Here, the Albergue is supported by the Camino Association so they only asked for donations for the two beds we required. We gave $10 for the two of us.

On this evening, we were honored to have met a very special Japanese Family. They are the Morimoto Family. They are traveling the world and taking twenty months to do so. Father is So, Mom is Orie and their two young sons are Tokizo and Tara who are only 5 and 4 years of age. The kids are the youngest pilgrims we have encountered. They started their travels in August 2012 and have already visited Mongolia, Canada, Peru, Cameron, Turkey, Belarus and now Spain. The project aim for this family is to learn languages, especially English and Spanish and to share experiences with other fellow travellers. You can learn more about them at http://www.morimotravel.com.

Their two sons will walk around 15 – 20 kms a day. That is quite a trek for these young persons. When they are tired, they are placed in a covered stroller pushed by mom or dad. Mom and dad will then walk some more with their sons in the stroller. They have become quite famous on the Camino as almost every pilgrim who encounter them will ask others if they have seen them. It is a tale of courage and definitely love when you see this family brave the cold weather and uncertain conditions to walk the Camino De Santiago. Their sons are so well behaved and courteous with everyone they meet. As they played outside the Albergue in Ponferrada, they picked flowers and offered them to all the women around them and I got one from cute Tara.

I feel energized and rejuvenated even if for a short length of time because I stumbled upon such an incredible story. Courage know no bounds only if we allow it.

Feeling really good and inspired, I decided we should walk to Villafranca Del Bierzo which approximately 30 kms tommorow from Ponferrada. The details of this trek will be in my next chapter.

Conclusion, my 2013 Easter Day was quite memorable and I toast to a few more memorable ones for the future with a glass of the local Spanish wine.