Tomorrow will be a walk across a more barren part of the countryside, as we move from the mountains to the flatter lands, from town after town to field after field, and is projected to be in the upper 80s! And we will face tomorrow with the unknowns of how far, how long, and can we?
What the Camino has taught me thus far is that most anyone can put on a pair of shoes and take a 10-15 mile walk…try it! For those of you living in De Pere, next Saturday put on your walking shoes and walk to St Brendans and back home again - you can do it! That’s the beauty of the Camino…the challenge of the Camino, however, is doing again the next day, and the next, and the next…up hills, down hills, across fields, through forests, and in the mud. Those are the challenging parts. Some, well most, suffer physical abuse (sunburns, bruises, blisters, muscle pulls, or hairline fractures). Some, well most, enjoy a type of serendipitous fellowship that is unique to the journey. Complete strangers immediately breaking down the barriers of nationality, language, religion, and such…and sitting next to each other for coffee, rest, lunch, or dinner…sharing a time of laughter and support with one another.
It is said the Camino gives you what you need. The Camino gives us much, and some of the best is simple serendipitous fellowship with fellow pilgrims…it started several days ago with the native people like Alex and Angel that I wrote about, and now “it” is changing us too - it is a time of transformation - to simply be content and embrace the moment, to enjoy where I am, what I am doing, and those with whom I am doing it!
Happy Trails!