- Time of past OR future Camino
- A few and hopefully lots more.
I had lunch with my brother this week. He asked about my Camino plans and why I keep wanting to go back. I could have talked for hours about how the Camino has enriched my life…. but I’ve learned to curb my enthusiasm when talking to the uninitiated! I kept it simple and answered his questions as concisely as I could - not easy for an Irish woman
When he asked what I like most about the Camino, I explained how I have a brain that is constantly active and firing in many different directions. Within a couple of days on the Camino I settle into a state of calm mindfulness that I rarely achieve in real life. There’s something about the simplicity of walking that does great things for the mind and the soul.
He was curious to know why I choose to carry my pack, instead of using Jacotrans. This was a funny one as he assumed it had something to do with my natural stubbornness! I said that carrying a pack means that I must consciously lighten my load. I’ve learned how much I can comfortably carry and more importantly, how little I actually need. As other forum members have remarked, this resonates into other areas of my life. It’s nice to have some little comforts, but I know for sure that they aren’t what makes me truly happy.
But there’s also another reason why I LOVE carrying my pack - when I put it on, I feel about 30 years younger! Although I’m happy in my own skin and don’t want to return to my 20s, I love the feeling of setting out on the path and feeling strong, confident, optimistic and pretty carefree. This also reminds me of some other important stuff - that I am happiest when I am outdoors and that mountains are special places for me. Perhaps a legacy from many years in the scout movement.
I went on to explain that this year we (husband and I) will walk from Ponferrada to Finisterre and ‘finish’ the Camino Frances. The brother remarked ’so that’s the end of it then?’ I just smiled…… I decided not to share my plans for the Ingles later this year, maybe del Salvador/Primitivo in 2016…. and then there’s the Norte, Madrid and a few others……
I could also have told him that the Camino has made me REALLY look forward to retirement! Or, that when walking with my husband, we realise that the Camino truly is a metaphor for life. Sometimes we walk alone and sometimes we walk together. We often walk at a different pace and we process the experience in very different ways. But we support each other through its ups and downs and we are glad to be in it together!
Buen Camino all. The countdown app on my computer tells me that mine is now just 22 days away
When he asked what I like most about the Camino, I explained how I have a brain that is constantly active and firing in many different directions. Within a couple of days on the Camino I settle into a state of calm mindfulness that I rarely achieve in real life. There’s something about the simplicity of walking that does great things for the mind and the soul.
He was curious to know why I choose to carry my pack, instead of using Jacotrans. This was a funny one as he assumed it had something to do with my natural stubbornness! I said that carrying a pack means that I must consciously lighten my load. I’ve learned how much I can comfortably carry and more importantly, how little I actually need. As other forum members have remarked, this resonates into other areas of my life. It’s nice to have some little comforts, but I know for sure that they aren’t what makes me truly happy.
But there’s also another reason why I LOVE carrying my pack - when I put it on, I feel about 30 years younger! Although I’m happy in my own skin and don’t want to return to my 20s, I love the feeling of setting out on the path and feeling strong, confident, optimistic and pretty carefree. This also reminds me of some other important stuff - that I am happiest when I am outdoors and that mountains are special places for me. Perhaps a legacy from many years in the scout movement.
I went on to explain that this year we (husband and I) will walk from Ponferrada to Finisterre and ‘finish’ the Camino Frances. The brother remarked ’so that’s the end of it then?’ I just smiled…… I decided not to share my plans for the Ingles later this year, maybe del Salvador/Primitivo in 2016…. and then there’s the Norte, Madrid and a few others……
I could also have told him that the Camino has made me REALLY look forward to retirement! Or, that when walking with my husband, we realise that the Camino truly is a metaphor for life. Sometimes we walk alone and sometimes we walk together. We often walk at a different pace and we process the experience in very different ways. But we support each other through its ups and downs and we are glad to be in it together!
Buen Camino all. The countdown app on my computer tells me that mine is now just 22 days away