Time to check stats after 9 evenings.  We have served 148 pilgrims coming from 24 different countries.  The top five countries sending the most pilgrims are: France (32), Italy (22), USA (14), Spain (13), tied for 5th are Australia (8), and Germany (8).  Countries represented by 1 pilgrim each are: Japan, Poland, Denmark, Mexico, Solvenia, Iraq, and Austria.

The pilgrims wishing to join in on the communal dinner, have enjoyed pasta or lentils. Each meal is prepared in a big pot and served family style.  Salad, bread, and the main dish is passed around in groups of six.  When vegetarians are not present, we add chirizo to the pot.  Dessert can vary from tiny containers of yogurt, or tangerines, or canned fruit cup.  Feedback has been A+ with providing a mixed green salad.  They also enjoying spending time with each other.  This is also a time we volunteers can interact with the pilgrims.

Dinner is in 20 minutes.  Time for me to review the blessing we say before the meal.  It is the Latin phrase, "ultreia, ultreia, et-suseia, desus, adjuva nos."  Singing it is preferred but that is where I put my foot down as a volunteer - no singing by me.  We do play a YouTube clip to get them inspired.