The Camino of Life
"If you could see the journey whole, you might never undertake it;
Might never dare the first step that propels you
from the place you have known
towards the place you know not."
-Jan Richardson Circle of Grace
Deb and I are only about 2-4 kilometers from the Cathedral and the end of our pilgrimage.
Apparently all down hill...but we will see.
One hundred thousand pilgrims do this walk on the Camino every year!
Kevin, from London, told us of a man on this journey that is doing it barefoot? From the Pyrenees in France. That's almost 800 kilometers???
We have seen every shape, size, nationality, men, women, children, dogs, ages, etc following along The Way.
Religious inspirations, goal oriented, because it's there, historic reasons, your partner made you do it.....the list goes on.
Some of the folks we have met have done this multiply times....or split it up to complete the whole over time...years.
Whatever the motivation...this is not for the faint of heart.
I really did believe that the last part of the Camino would be easy.....why did I think that?
In saying that, don't misunderstand, I LOVED it. It completely challenged me physically and mentally. It was beautiful, peaceful, serene.
Everything I thought it would be.
My last rock placed for those who will never see the Camino.
I honour them.
If you have bore children you will understand this next thought.
Even though my feet are blistered and sore....will they ever heal....my back feels the ache of carrying a 20+ lb knapsack over 100 kilometers.....My mind thinks about doing more of the Camino.
It's like delivering a baby when it hurts like hell...but you forget that part and go ahead and have another...and another...because the pain does not outweigh the joy of the accomplishment.
I would like to start in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, France.
The walkers we met, mainly, started there.
I will ponder that thought....
Across this bridge and we are coming to the outskirts of the city of Santiago de Compostela. A population of more than 100,000. And our home for the next 6 weeks.
Cool fountain...looks a lot like my baby brother Mark.
Pilgrim crosses marked the way on the Camino.
One of my favourite Spanish fruits is the cherimoya. You scoop out the inners but do not eat or swallow the seeds inside...they are poisonous.
Canadian grocery stores do not look like this at this time of year.
We are heading into the historic centre of Santiago. I have seen a few pilgrims...but not a lot yet...it is early.
LD making the last stretch of the Camino. She has pushed herself further and harder than she thought she could. Resting up for a few days helped and allowed her to finish this trek with her head up and smiling.
The Cathedral is to our left but where we get our Credentials stamps is down here to the right.
The office to get our certificate is very unassuming on the left. The only indicator is the group of pilgrims getting a photo taken.
We grab a number and wait our turn to get our certificate.
In a quiet church, steps from our certificate line up, is a Priest blessing the pilgrims.
I made my way up to him and asked if he could give me a blessing....sharing with him that I have a brain tumour. He blessed me in English so I understood all he said. It was inspiring and comforting.
I began to cry...overwhelmed with gratitude, relief and hope.
I realized that the focus of all my days on the Camino has not been on my recent diagnosis but what was before me each day.
It has taken a backseat to my daily activities and that is where I hope it stays.
The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, an 11th century church which houses the remains of Saint Santiago or Saint James in English, an apostle of Jesus Christ.
Built between the years 1075-1211 in piecemeal.
The cathedral, right now, is under a 10 year and 6 Million Euro renovation, which means the noon mass for the pilgrims will be performed in the Iglesia de San Francisco Church.
But we are here...that is what matters to me.
It is beautiful and I have done what I set out to do.
I am completely filled with satisfaction, awe and grace.
Thank you Lord for bringing me safely here.
As we were sitting here....pondering how to get to our Airbnb from the Cathedral....guess who we ran into.......
...Mike and Pat from the USA. We shared a meal together about 4-5 days ago.
They are catching their flight in a few days...and doing a wee bit more sightseeing.
They are already talking about their next walk...wonderful people.
Found our Airbnb. Our host, Hector will meet us there in one hour.
We are resting our feet in a wee cafe around the corner...
Coke Zero...munchies...a dry place to sit...with the one you love....
Life just doesn't get better than this.
Stay tuned for some adventures in Santiago.....
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