In an earlier blog I wrote about the greetings that are used on the camino. Most frequently pilgrims passing each other or leaving a gathering point will say, “Buen camino” to each other and will respond with the same greeting. That means literally “Good walk”.
Last night we learned about a new greeting, that is fact very old. Apparently in medieval times, a pilgrim would say,”Ultreia”. And the response would be, “Et suseio”. “Ultreia” means “onward” and “et suseio” means “and upward.”
All this came together for us yesterday. Several days ago a charming Canadian lady called Fran, quite out of the blue, gave us two fabric patches with “Ultreia” embroided on them, and then yesterday as we walked into Azrua, tired and hot, we stopped at the first albergue we found, and it was called “Ultreia”. They had spaces for us and so we booked in. It is a new place, open only a few years but very comfortable and well set up. We had a very comfortable night there. All these factors prompted us to do some research and we learnt some new stuff. We then tied it in with some comments made by some nuns about a fortnight ago!
Gay and I then used that new/old greeting today and had the chance to explain it to some others!
As with the common modern greeting used today, the ancient greeting carries a deeper meaning than the mere literal translation. It embodies the best wishes to the fellow pilgrim of a safe physical journey as well as successful, safe and enduing spiritual journey. It therefore carries with it the strong implication that the pilgrimage is a way of focussing on spiritual things, in whatever way each individual conceives that to be. It is sort of appropriate that we think of that greeting in this latter stage of the journey, when it is said that pilgrims have got past the physical and mental challenges and take on the spiritual.
On a completely different note, I want to include a picture that relates to yesterday’s message. Gay and I ordered grilled octopus tonight – a different dish from yesterday, but just as appetising!
Alan,
O Pedrous
Served at dinner in O Pedrousa.
a, Spain.
18km from Santiago.
roweallstars 
Well, I’m going to get in early here, and say Et suseio, and also say thank you (being but a few k from Santiago) for the journey. I have accompanied you, if not physically, then at least in spirit. It’s the nearest I’ll ever get to walking it! So thank you, Gay and Alan, for the sharing and for the online experience.
I could not have said that better myself. Well said Bruce!
May this whole entire journey be part ofyour continuing camino . Ultreia!
Bruce, it has been a real pleasure to have you along. I enjoyed your responses. My blogs will continue for a little while yet as we make our way home.
Alan.