A steep hill to the bus station provided our morning fast walk as we walked from our hotel to the bus station way up in the village of Santarem. It was curious knowing the place we were travelling to was partly about visions of the sun dancing or moving at least. I was quick to allow my imagination some rare freedom when Corrie called to me to come and look at the faint rainbow.

 I’m not a great believer in what people report they see, but here I am fantasising about seeing a connection between the rainbow and the visions at Fatima. For no reason other than to clear something up for myself, Fatima is not only a catholic pilgrimage site that we are visiting today but also the name of Mohammed’s eldest daughter. 

So, what a huge fuss three young Portuguese kids can cause after their reported sighting of the Virgin Mary. Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta, three young shepherds said they had this encounter and there is much debate over the actual truth of this. For me this is not the important point of discussion because nothing probably will ever be proved. To me what is really fascinating, is the fact that a huge industry has been created around three kids reporting on this vision.

There didn’t need to be proof for millions of catholics, and Corrie and me, to make the journey (but we were in the neighbourhood) to this now quite overwhelming tourist town. I acknowledge the sincere belief most of these people have but like a lot of places that become popular, a lot of the good vibes associated with them become smothered in footsteps. What was not diminished was the warmth and welcome of the local Portuguese business owners.

After a short visit to special sites, we ended the day with another quick walk around the outskirts of town then back to our balcony home (twice the size of our room, which is big). As we look out in the night sky the Cathedral is lit up and we can see just the top of it shining in front of dark rain filled clouds. I will let my imagination run free once more as I think of what those three kids created all those years ago.