Camino After-thoughts

Wednesday 22 June 2016

Home

Well, I've been home a week now and thought it was time that I got onto writing a few Camino closing words. What an amazing experince I had!

My journey getting to Spain was filled with the excitement and joy of planning with my friend Kay. With her being an experienced Camino walker, I felt that she provided me with great guidance and advice, especially to do with the practical aspects. She is what I would call a Camino addict, and she thinks about her journeys often and watches the the movie, 'The Way', on a regular basis. To lose her to that freak accident on the flight into Spain took all the wind out of my sails. For her it was physically, emotionally and even spiritually devastating, and I must admit, self-indulgently, that at the time it felt the same to me. I can remember apologising to Kay before she left for home, I felt that obviously my need to walk Camino alone was greater than her need to walk for a third time. She laughed it off at the time, but on reflection I believe that I was meant to experience my Camino solo. But, what a dramatic way for the 'powers that be' to provide that opportunity.

I still consider my Camino journey to have been disjointed, frustrating and painful, but I look fondly on it now and feel enriched by the spectacular landscapes, the experiences I had, the people I met, the cultural nature of the way and the physical hardships I endured. I felt connected, in an unexpected way, to those I shared my journey with. The closeness of our daily lives and our shared physical pain provided ample opportunities to really get to know others at a level not generally experienced in our everyday lives, except with those closest to us. Some of the people fondly remembered were from fleeting meetings or a single shared experience.

On having a re-read of my blog, I realise that along the way I experienced a change in my thinking. I guess this came about due to my acceptance of my situation and then being open to embracing the events and people that were presented to me. I've always had a stubborn nature, so for me this realisation took some time in coming. My initial despair, eventual resignation and then determination to continue and succeed opened me up to an acceptance of my situation, to the beauty of where I was, to an inner peacefulness, to companionship, along with times of wonder, loneliness, aloneness, happiness and sadness.

Along the way, there was plenty of graffiti, meaningful and otherwise. This one has stayed with me... on a pilgrim rubbish bin on the outskirts of a town towards the end of my journey, someone had scrawled 'imagine there's no countries'. This epitomises the Camino... I think it says it all!

Here are a few observations.

• Good luck finding toilet paper in public toilets in Spain. Look carefully, it might actually be on a dispenser on a wall OUTSIDE the toilet cubicle!
• Pillow are long and narrow. Many a time I cracked my head on the wall or bed frame after misjudging the width of my pillow. A double bed usually has just one VERY long pillow.
• It's interesting how quickly I got used to sleeping in room filled with strangers.
• Physical aches and pains, as well as injuries are the 'norm' - the dreaded blisters, 'burning' feet, swollen feet and the rest!
• Camino can be a very emotional experience...expect some tears.
• All nationalities, ages, sizes, shapes, fitness and ability levels are out there on the way.
• Pilgrim menus are not created equal, some are fantastic and others a bit ordinary. If you ask for ice-cream for dessert, it might be a Cornetto presented upended on a plate!
• Vegies don't seem to be readily available, except in a salad. If you find some vegies on a menu, they'll be cooked to within an inch of their lives...mush!
• Two things I took that I LOVED, were my small shower scrubber and a notepad and pen, kept handy in my shoulder bag.

Probably the two messages that I would have for aspiring Camino pilgrims is that your journey might not be what you planned for or expected, and to embrace all experiences that come your way. Buen Camino!