Three students from 2º of Bachillerato B relate the three days of pilgrimage, fun and fellowship that they enjoyed together with their class friends and teachers from 28 to 30 in September.
Viernes, 28 de septiembre de 2018 (by Pilar Fernández Arroyo, 2ºB)
8: 05 in the morning. The twenty-nine comrades who were about to start a great weekend totally different from the rest of us were anxious to start the experience at the school gate. After a not too long bus ride, in which we had more than one incident that fortunately will remain in anecdotes that we will remember with laughter, we arrive at Anayo, a town in the council of Piloña, where we started the trek.
After two hours we made a small stop to regain strength and to the 14: 30 we made another one of longer duration to eat and rest our shoulders from the heavy backpack that we carry with us during the whole journey. After a while, we continued with the stage and without much delay we realized that the 22 kilometers that had been announced to us by the professors that we were going to go on that day were going to turn into one or another more (they turned out to be approximately 28) and that they told us that "in a couple of corners" we would arrive at our desired destination, nothing managed to motivate us as much as the music we were listening to through different speakers all the way; It can be said that the Stool songs have become our tour anthem.
At a point where there were already houses, we managed to identify the location of the hostel 'La Posada del Monasterio' in the vicinity of Cangas de Onís and it was undoubtedly a chute of energy to get there. We could not believe that we had arrived; In addition, the place surprised us pleasantly for the quality of the facilities. Once showered and with our feet out of the beach, we were new people. Shortly after dinner time came: spaghetti with bonito and tomato and fillet steak with potatoes. The same was not the best dishes we would have tasted in our lives, but the ones we liked the most. Although the teachers were not too strict with the bedtime, we were not too late for the bed because the sporting activity had taken its toll and we needed to recover, since we knew the challenge that awaited us the next day. Undoubtedly, laughter and good vibes (and complaints of fatigue) did not miss a single moment throughout the trip.
Saturday, 29 September of 2018 (by Alba Montes Alonso, 2ºB)
Our second day began with a few symptoms of tiredness, since we had been the night before all together in a game room that the same hostel had provided us. The lack of energy tightened, so we decided to go to one of the rooms where our small meeting continued. The accumulation of everything said, plus the previous day's walk, caused our alarm at nine o'clock in the morning to bother more than one.
Once the group met at 9: 30 in the morning in the dining room, we had breakfast "as a family" and took the sandwiches they had made for us to eat. Right after that, we started towards Cangas de Onís, where we took many photos, some stuck in the Sella, others opted to drink something due to the high temperatures that accompanied us ... Our curfew was 12: 30 , when we resumed our way to the Sanctuary.
After making a small stop to eat, we arrived enthusiastically at the Plaza de la Basilica de Covadonga (singing the anthem of Asturias as a representation of our little "pilgrimage"). Once installed in the hostel, showered and rested, we took a short walk around the Cave of Santina and went to the convent for the food that the religious had prepared us with great enthusiasm. While some of our companions brought us food, the others went to the place where 9: 00 enjoyed a show of lights and sound on the Basilica that had excited us hours before arriving. We were speechless at such a scene that illuminated that place.
Once finished, we returned to the lodge, where all together we prepared the table and had dinner (sausages with scrambled eggs and an ice cream for dessert). The team work continued with the tasks of collecting, cleaning dishes and dining ... which culminated in a night escape to the cave, which impressed by the emptiness and calm that there was breathed, as in its surroundings, and we were able to Enjoy it as we never would have imagined. This was the culmination of an unforgettable day that culminated in the house, as we all met in one of the rooms to chat, laugh and tell all the anecdotes lived so far.
Sunday, 30 of September of 2018 (by Covadonga de las Heras, 2º B)
Third day, 9: 30 in the morning. The dark circles of the panda and the sleepy faces of many were seen from the basilica. Even so, half of the group set out to make the route to the Vega de Orandi, which was all uphill; It seemed that we were training to climb the school stairs at eight in the morning.
Without a doubt, it was worth it. When we reached the summit, we crossed a river jumping from rock to rock and placing logs. At the end we arrived at a cave that resembled a fantastic place, in which tranquility reigned and you could see the waterfall that crossed its walls. When we arrived back to Covadonga, we met in the dining room of the house with the rest of our companions, who had come to the Eucharist. After lunch, everyone went to their room to finish their backpacks. Those who already had everything ready met in a room, and with music and laughter they passed the time. Little by little, more and more people joined, until each and every one of us was there. It was one of those moments that neither buy, nor forget. While you were singing you were aware of the bond created between such disparate people, and that perhaps, if it had not been for this "pilgrimage", it would never have arisen.
When the time came we got on the bus. The return trip for many was too short. We remember everything we had lived and, of course, did not miss the singing session next to the yellow speaker.
There are no words to describe such an experience, thanks to all those who have made it possible.
