The Camino attracts people from all over the world. Every time someone opens their mouth, you have no idea what will come out.

We’ve attended a couple of Pilgrims’ Masses while here. At the end of each is a pilgrims’ blessing. Typically, the priest surveys the congregation for what languages are spoken. I’ve counted about 5 or 6 each time.

English speakers from the USA,  Canada, England, Ireland, and Australia. French, German, Dutch, Swedish, and Spanish from Europe. Korean, Mandarin, and Indonesian. And there are notable differences within Spain itself, including Catalon and Galician.

The Camino is a trail of mangled languages as people try their best to communicate. The most predominant languages are butchered Spanish and English.

It is a pretty liberating environment in which to try out one’s pathetic bits of Spanish. Everyone seems to roll with whatever they are served up.

Lori has been making a moderate effort to learn Spanish for over a year using Duolingo. At first, she thought she might improve with all this opportunity. But now, she fears that she has slid into a combination of bad Spanish, simplified English, pigeon Spanish, and gestures! Whatever the combo, it’s been quite effective in communicating our basic needs, but has probably set her learning BACK considerably.

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The best pictures from today were with Jane’s newest buddies.