Not all who wander are lost, but some of us are!
We started our Camino two days ago- or was it a century. Hard to tell. Until my last day of work at RMCC I hadn’t thought much about what the Camino would mean on any level other than the spiritual awakening I hoped to experience. But as I was leaving work that last day it started to occur to me that this was going to be a challenge- well also a lot of people started telling me those very words. I suppose I didn’t have too much time to think about my own life as I was working and that is a good part of the reason I had to leave my job. – and practice what I speak to others about. Now even after only two days I can already tell you that this journey is powerful.
I now understand why people speak about their experiences on this Camino de Santiago -as their Camino. After the first day I felt like I needed to describe this as my Camino (or our Camino when I include Colin-although each of our experiences are different as well)
My/our Camino started out as an epic adventure. As a consequence (or benefit- depending on how you look at it) I am exhausted after day two, can’t currently find my reading glasses and can’t think very well as I finish this blog. Please excuse typos, etc.
I gave this blog the title, Not All those that wander are lost, but some of us are for a relevant reason. We started out our Camino on Saturday early in the morning from St Jean de Pied. We were happy, optimistic and felt great. It was dark out, pouring rain (ark building quality rain). But we headed out as all of the other pilgrims did, following the poorly lit and horrible sign posted path towards adventure. We walked with several others , checking the roads and following along. Our group included a girl from Barcelona, two women from Georgia, two Koreans and a couple of others I didn’t chat with. As stated The signage at the French side of the Camino was not very clear and our group walk up hill about 2.5 miles beyond an important turn (5 extra miles round trip). We headed instead for an alternate Camino that would take us over the high peak to a coastal route. We all seemed to realize we needed to turn around at about the same time except for the Korean couple. To this day I hope they made it. By the time we turned around the rain had turned to sleet and hail and it was freezing.
When I started taking my notes for this blog we were at the halfway point to reach our destination but the weather kept getting worse and the hike up was endless. All totaled we hiked 23 miles that day. 90% up hill with very hard rain or snow. Every person we met was pleased to land at the monastery which was our hostel and have a really nice, warm bed. Sleeping in bunk beds with about 200 other happy warm and in pain pilgrims.
Erin and Kaylie. I have changed my mind about drinking a glass of wine in the afternoon on the Camino. I now think it may be helpful.
Some lessons from my first day on the Camino
* Again reinforces that the small things make a big difference. A glass of wine, ability to get out of the snow or a change of soaking socks to nice dry ones changes your outlook immediately.
* A good foot massage and a brief reiki meditation can save my soul quickly.
* The traveling is over and the wandering begins. I feel so free and relaxed. No time tables no reservations.
* Faith that we will be where we are meant to be, meet who we are meant meet.
Just finished day two as I write this and although I intended to write about both days together I am very tired after today’s 15 miles. I did feel I had a few insight so will try to record them tomorrow. Too sore and pooped. Hasta Luego.
Bad WiFi on day 2 so just finished day 3 in Pamplona. Blogs to come soon.