Triacastela

Last night in Triacastela a man from Manchuria, Lao, was practicing Tao Yin I my dorm. 

 I watched the beautiful flow of his movements until he finished then asked if it was Tai Chi?  He told me no, it was the much older Tao Yin. His mother taught him as a child. He said it helped erase all weariness from walking and he did it morning and night. 

He asked if I had any pain. I told him no, not really. Well...  my big toe was a bit jammed and stiff. 

He reached down, picked up my foot, and proceeded to give me the best foot massage I have ever had. He then instructed me to lie down and off to work he went on my shoulders and back. I groaned as he worked for at least a half hour and by the time he finished, I was feeling like a wet noodle!

I asked if he needed anything, if I could repay him. He insisted, 'No!'  

It was a gift

I needed it. 

It relieved my body, but even more, it relieved my heart. 

It gave me hope.