We had breakfast in an old villa called ‘Saudade’ with a Baroque ceiling, every room with its unique appeal. While chatting about this with the owner I asked her what the name ‘Saudade’ meant
While ‘Duende’ is a special word in Spain (see sonnet – day 33), this word ‘Saudade’ is equivalently mysterious in Portugal, and has a totally different meaning even though for both there is an exquisite feeling involved. While in its simplest form it means to be homesick, in its more complex form it is a sad or melancholic feeling about missing someone or some place deeply and the irony is, according to Barry, this sad feeling brings them great happiness
It’s now back home to our little room in Lisboa, our little cafe and our little book
SO I think perhaps “saudada” is what we feel when we think of the Camino! I miss it so much, but when I think about it I feel so happy inside 🙂