- Time of past OR future Camino
- CF 2023 from Bayonne.
Camino Podiensis & CF 2026
Synchronicity
Since my first post on June 1st 2019, announcing that my 20 year dream of doing the Camino Frances was actually happening this spring, I’ve been busier than ever in my preparations. Having read hundreds more posts on this forum, researching equipment at great length and spending countless hours on Amazon and the internet reading equipment reviews while also watching Youtube videos ad nauseum it is time to LET GO! Now that the “packing” part of planning is 95% done, I’ve started training (with minor setbacks).
…and this is where the synchronicity started to manifest itself. Just around Xmas time, I was walking on a nearby nature trail with my pack. With fresh, pristine snow on the ground and birds chirping in the mild afternoon, my feet, body and spirit were feeling, for the first time, like they were already on the Camino. Having not seen a single soul two hours into my walk, I see a couple in their late thirties snowshoeing towards me. The man had a daypack and here I was with a much bigger pack. “I’m just training for the Camino de Santiago” I felt compelled to say, pointing at my pack. He replied: “Oh, I have a couple of friends who did that and it was quite the experience for them.”, she chimed in “What an adventure for you.” Don’t know why I opened up to complete strangers but I replied: “It will for sure, but I’m going for spiritual reasons. I’ve been in and out with my faith for too long and it bothers me. I’m hoping to reconnect on the Camino.” We introduced ourselves. He said: “Where are you now with your faith, in or out”. I replied: “Mostly out”. She asked if it would be Ok with me if they prayed for me to have an encounter with God while I’m doing the pilgrimage and I replied, of course. He then asks: “Would you like to pray now.” And so, holding hands in a circle on this magical trail he said the most beautiful prayer as I silently wept. We hugged goodbye and went our separate ways. I continued walking, not seeing anyone else all the way home. This experience has profoundly affected me.
On this forum, I read the photo essay from @hdduff “Wonders and Wanders Along the Way – A Camino Photo Essay.” Her profile said she lived in Valencia, Spain. In her essay she talks about doing a summer Camino event in her hometown…What!!! That’s my hometown. I PM’d her to tell her how much I was enjoying her writing style and photos and that it was such a small small world. She wrote back and advised she was actually in town visiting her family for the holidays and would I like to meet up for coffee. My jaw dropped…are you kidding me??!! We met and talked away the afternoon as time stood still. What are the chances?!
Last November I had been looking at medallions of Saint-Christopher and thought it would make me feel safe being away from home for so long and what can I say, it talked to me. I did not buy it then and returned only a few weeks ago to look at two different ones they had. The salesperson was a young, congenial man who took them out of the display so I could see and touch them. I asked about the chain length etc. Still on the fence about buying it, I said I would think about it and thanked him for his time and help. I asked him what his name was, as his name tag was hidden by his jacket lapel. He turned it around…”Christopher”. I took it as a definite sign and bought the medallion.
Not feeling worthy (as a non-practicing Catholic) to wear a cross with my medallion, my sister said in the most heartfelt way: “Of course you are worthy to wear the cross, we all are”. So this weekend I bought a small cross in Ottawa (visiting family) and I asked the sales lady her name. “My name is April.” When I was booking my trip and trying to figure out all the details of how much time I would give myself, unbeknownst to me of when Holy Week would be this year, my pilgrimage starts in SJPdP on Palm Sunday.
I do not believe in coincidences. Life and the universe have so many ways of showing us “The Way” and too often we don’t listen, or for that matter, even hear the messages. We are surrounded by so much noise. Many of us like myself, wrapped up in way too busy lives with responsibilities that cannot be ignored. We run around hoping for a little bit of “me” time and as we get older, wonder and question many things about the past and what the future holds for us. I’m now in the last third of my life and there are past choices I need to forgive myself (whilst forgiving others has always been easier).
To all those who are as yet undecided, who are nervous or worry about the details and planning, if the Camino calls you or there are signs that lead you there – please listen to your heart. Time is not waiting for us, it goes on. Be the wings your spirit deserves…and soar!
Feeling blessed and grateful,
Danielle
PS I did book my albergues for the first week up to Easter Sunday
Since my first post on June 1st 2019, announcing that my 20 year dream of doing the Camino Frances was actually happening this spring, I’ve been busier than ever in my preparations. Having read hundreds more posts on this forum, researching equipment at great length and spending countless hours on Amazon and the internet reading equipment reviews while also watching Youtube videos ad nauseum it is time to LET GO! Now that the “packing” part of planning is 95% done, I’ve started training (with minor setbacks).
…and this is where the synchronicity started to manifest itself. Just around Xmas time, I was walking on a nearby nature trail with my pack. With fresh, pristine snow on the ground and birds chirping in the mild afternoon, my feet, body and spirit were feeling, for the first time, like they were already on the Camino. Having not seen a single soul two hours into my walk, I see a couple in their late thirties snowshoeing towards me. The man had a daypack and here I was with a much bigger pack. “I’m just training for the Camino de Santiago” I felt compelled to say, pointing at my pack. He replied: “Oh, I have a couple of friends who did that and it was quite the experience for them.”, she chimed in “What an adventure for you.” Don’t know why I opened up to complete strangers but I replied: “It will for sure, but I’m going for spiritual reasons. I’ve been in and out with my faith for too long and it bothers me. I’m hoping to reconnect on the Camino.” We introduced ourselves. He said: “Where are you now with your faith, in or out”. I replied: “Mostly out”. She asked if it would be Ok with me if they prayed for me to have an encounter with God while I’m doing the pilgrimage and I replied, of course. He then asks: “Would you like to pray now.” And so, holding hands in a circle on this magical trail he said the most beautiful prayer as I silently wept. We hugged goodbye and went our separate ways. I continued walking, not seeing anyone else all the way home. This experience has profoundly affected me.
On this forum, I read the photo essay from @hdduff “Wonders and Wanders Along the Way – A Camino Photo Essay.” Her profile said she lived in Valencia, Spain. In her essay she talks about doing a summer Camino event in her hometown…What!!! That’s my hometown. I PM’d her to tell her how much I was enjoying her writing style and photos and that it was such a small small world. She wrote back and advised she was actually in town visiting her family for the holidays and would I like to meet up for coffee. My jaw dropped…are you kidding me??!! We met and talked away the afternoon as time stood still. What are the chances?!
Last November I had been looking at medallions of Saint-Christopher and thought it would make me feel safe being away from home for so long and what can I say, it talked to me. I did not buy it then and returned only a few weeks ago to look at two different ones they had. The salesperson was a young, congenial man who took them out of the display so I could see and touch them. I asked about the chain length etc. Still on the fence about buying it, I said I would think about it and thanked him for his time and help. I asked him what his name was, as his name tag was hidden by his jacket lapel. He turned it around…”Christopher”. I took it as a definite sign and bought the medallion.
Not feeling worthy (as a non-practicing Catholic) to wear a cross with my medallion, my sister said in the most heartfelt way: “Of course you are worthy to wear the cross, we all are”. So this weekend I bought a small cross in Ottawa (visiting family) and I asked the sales lady her name. “My name is April.” When I was booking my trip and trying to figure out all the details of how much time I would give myself, unbeknownst to me of when Holy Week would be this year, my pilgrimage starts in SJPdP on Palm Sunday.
I do not believe in coincidences. Life and the universe have so many ways of showing us “The Way” and too often we don’t listen, or for that matter, even hear the messages. We are surrounded by so much noise. Many of us like myself, wrapped up in way too busy lives with responsibilities that cannot be ignored. We run around hoping for a little bit of “me” time and as we get older, wonder and question many things about the past and what the future holds for us. I’m now in the last third of my life and there are past choices I need to forgive myself (whilst forgiving others has always been easier).
To all those who are as yet undecided, who are nervous or worry about the details and planning, if the Camino calls you or there are signs that lead you there – please listen to your heart. Time is not waiting for us, it goes on. Be the wings your spirit deserves…and soar!
Feeling blessed and grateful,
Danielle
PS I did book my albergues for the first week up to Easter Sunday