We travel together and sometimes talk and sometimes not. There is an interesting mix of ages and stages of life and in the afternoons when we have found our refuggio for the night, most people are settled somewhere writing in journals. For most this is a reflective and very personal process. Some are recovering from life challenges, others just looking for an answer as to where to go next - like me.
There is a cancer survivor from BC, a woman trying to come to terms with the outcome of an accident several years ago that has made it impossible for her to continue with her life passion of teaching children. One young man lost his mother a year ago, two young women search for the next stage of life now that unuversity is completed. Some older men appear contemplative and prayerful as they walk along.
Some walk fast and with purpose, others look like they will not reach the next town, Cyclists are very energetic and you wonder how they find the way as they travel so fast. A pair past me jogging this morning - what is that all about I ask myself!! There are a few couples, but they have their challenges as their relationship and the experience of the Camino affects them differently. Most people are on their own believe it or not and a lot are in the category of older women from everywhere across the globe including Asia, S America and Europe. In spite of cultural differences we seem to have a common bond of searching for meaning.
I myself have found the days are flying by now that I am getting into a rythym of it all. Up early in the morning to walk before the sun gets too hot and it really does climb to over 32 C each afternoon. Stopping for rest and food every hour or so and then finding the refuggio for the night - shower first, wash clothes and then lie down for awhile to rest aching joints, muscles and feet.
It is a wonderful thing to just concentrate on putting one foot in front of the other and noticing all of the unusual and beautiful things that appear close up or on the horizon. I have never seen such ancient and beautiful villages, remnants of Roman architecture in the roads and bridges here and lots of Basque architecture. I am intrigued now by the process and wonder how this will really go for me.
Some say that you can hit a wall about now with the fatigue and the bone weary aches that you experience. I have felt some of this, but once I rest, I feel truly happy to just be focusing on the ordinary things that are required to just manage each day as simply as it is. I am also finding the accommodation just fine and am not bothered by the numbers of people that need to share close quarters with each other. They are polite and respectful and very friendly - nothing has bothered me yet as I had heard some stories in books I read.
Today we passed the place that marks the spot where a Canadian woman was killed in an accident in 2002. Her husband returned later to build a small monument to her memory and so we all stopped to pay respects. It makes you realize that anything could happen along this journey and more importantly, it is a reminder of how much each moment and each step matter in the course of life.
Well perhaps I am getting more reflective as the days go and will see what turns up out of that........Maggee
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1 comment:
Margret, it appears you are starting to melt into your experience, letting all be as it should, in the moment, letting go of all other moments, living in the peace of inner being, always present, no matter the physical challenge.
You write so beautifully; I feel we are getting a glimpse of what you are experiencing through your accute description of your sensory experiences, your thoughts and emotions.
Namaste
Cathy M
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