One of the strangest things I experienced on the Camino
When walking from Portomarín to Airexe, on a small path extremely early in the morning (in an attempt to beat the heat of the day), I rounded a corner and saw two things nearly simultaneously. First there was the unmistakable tail of a raccoon slipping into the bushes and then the shock of three dead chickens laying on the path. All was silence.
At first it was obvious (Occams razor) that this raccoon had gotten lucky, killed three chickens and was about to have breakfast until rudely interrupted. Continuing the walk I realized how grateful I was that I hadn't come upon this scene a short time earlier and, I was sad that the chickens were no longer with us.
After walking a ways and reflecting on the scene things began to not add up. In the pitch dark in total stillness, why no chickens were heard? Three chickens are very loud when being chased by a raccoon. Why wasn't there more blood? But most telling, after reflection, was that each chicken was headless.
After my walk I looked up raccoons in Spain. It turns out that raccoons are an invasive species and that farmers will sometimes set out bait to catch them.
Reflecting again, just now, the farmer must have known that some unsuspecting pilgrims might be walking along the designated Camino route early enough to come across this scene. What were they thinking?
I will never know and that, in part, is what makes it one of the strangest things I have experienced on the Camino.
PS Where I would like to believe those chickens ended up...
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