Fatima Reunion Day 1

We left El Puerto about 6:30 expecting to arrive about 1:00 pm. at Fatima but hit the rush hour traffic at Sevilla where we got stuck for about an hour. We forgot that it was Wednesday and were surprised by all the brakelights as we approached the city limits. I guess the darkness was deceiving because with winter approaching, the sky doesn't lighten up until 8:30. It was also foggy that morning just like San Francisco especially up the bridge so traffic was barely crawling. Also hit a few patches past Sevilla and on the zigzag road on the mountains so we had to slow down.

Stopped over for a bathroom break/snack halfway through the trip at our regular pit stop and also stretched my legs. The sky got darker once we got into Portugal and the rain poured in bucketfuls as soon as we entered the freeway. There wasn't much traffic though so it wasn't as dangerous. Did one more stop at the rest area and continued on. The gas gauge warning light came on about 30 kms. from Fatima but we made it safely to the gas station. I normally make it to Fatima with a full tank but probably used a little bit more gas accelerating to pass the long cargo trucks and also getting stuck in traffic at Sevilla.

We arrived about 2:00 pm (1:00 pm Fatima time) and went directly to the hotel. Inquired inside and were told that the group hasn't checked in yet so we went to the basilica for a quick visit and prayer then had lunch. The body of Sister Lucia was moved to the basilica from Coimbra last February and has been drawing more pilgrims.

Called Lucio after waiting for 2 hours and found out that they arrived about the same time we did but went straight to the tourist rest stop for lunch and shopped at the souvenir store afterwards. They arrived at the hotel 20 minutes later, checked in and rested a bit.

Met up at the lobby and then Lucio took us to a grocery store to buy some sardines and pate and then proceeded to the village to visit the children's homes. There was a relative in Francisco and Jacinta's house who related a little bit of the story. Also visited the spot behind Sister Lucia's house where the angel appeared to the three children and joined the pilgrims in drinking water drawn from the well.





















Went to a park afterwards and had an early supper of chicken adobo and pork sinigang with rice which we brought with us. I guess everyone was hungry and didn't mind the cold food. Had some chirimoyas (atis) for dessert which Lina greatly enjoyed.



Returned to the hotel afterwards and then walked over to our 'suki' for some more (pilgrimage or privilige) shopping. We've been going to the same store (this is our 4th visit since November last year) and been getting the 'special' prices which the owner extended to the group. Ka-ching goes the register but Shirley was very happy with her gift.

Met up at the lobby at 9:15 and proceeded to the basilica square for the evening rosary and procession. There was a sizable crowd already and we joined up with another Filipino group. (Forgot to bring my camera so no pictures on this section).The service started at 9:30 and was conducted mainly in Portuguese except for the Hail Mary being led by representatives from different countries in their native language (no Tagalog this time). It is quite an experience especially for first time pilgrims hearing the same prayers being recited together in different languages.

A smaller statue of the Virgin Mary was used for the procession which was conducted after the rosary. The scene was very moving and captivating especially when the lighted candles were raised up together while singing. Since this was a smaller crowd and there was no mass at the end of the service, everyone joined the procession around the square. The service ended around 11:00.