Did I choose the Camino or ..........

[Peter Clifton]

As part of my training for my first Camino in May, I’m walking about 4 km to the swimming pool, having a swim, then walking the 4 kilometres back home. So today one of the regulars at the swimming pool asked me what I was doing. When I explained to him that I was in training to walk 800 km in Spain he just gave me this incredulous look and with an unsettling smirk on his face asked me, “Why……….. why would you want to do that?”

So on my walk back home from the pool I reflected on the reasons I was walking the Camino. When I first decided to walk the Camino a little over 12 months ago it was because it would be an adventure and I thought it would give me time to reflect and consider on what I should be doing, given that I'd recently retired. But now, after having read and watched so much about the Camino, having researched all that I could, having gathered all the necessary gear and equipment, I now feel that the Camino is not something that I would like to do but it is something that I NEED to do. It is almost like, I didn’t choose the Camino, the Camino chose me.

Does this mean that at 64 I'm turning into some sort of new age hippie (or whatever the modern day equivalent is) or are there other fellow pilgrims out there who've experienced such feelings.

 

[ScooterB]

I am about to walk the Camino, and I would agree with everything you expressed. Except maybe the hippie part!

 

[Tincatinker]

Hi Peter, I'm an 'old-age' hippy, anarcho-pagan. Doesn't stop the Camino calling me. If you don't know why you're on the Camino when you start you surely will by the time those spires come into view.

Buen Camino

 

[Wokabaut_Meri]

Hi Peter
It's amazing how many Aussies are 'called' to the Camino. As a long distance walker, it was never on my radar but the Camino had other plans. It just kept appearing everywhere at the most inconvenient of times from many years ago and then one day I was given David Whyte's new book of poetry Pilgrim and my Way was decided. Impossible though to discuss it with family and friends who thought that walking across a country was one of the crazier things I wanted to do and that's saying something.

You're definitely not alone. Lots of kindred spirits here under all sorts of labels. @SYates posted a well known poem from along the Way that may speak to you too:

A well know poem by Eugenio Garibay Baños from a wall in Najera (CF), reads, in translation:

Dust, mud, sun and rain,
is the Way of Saint James;
thousands of pilgrims and more than a thousand years.

Pilgrim, who calls you?
What hidden force brings you here?
Nor the Way of the Stars,
nor the grand cathedrals.

Neither is it the courage of Navarra,
nor the Rioja wine.
Nor the seafood of Galicia,
nor the fields of Castilla.

Pilgrim, who calls you?
What hidden force attracts you?
It is not the people of the way
nor their rural customs.

Nor their history and culture.
Nor the cockerel of la Calzada,
nor Gaudi's palace,
nor the castle in Ponferrada.

Everything I see in passing is a joy,
but the voice which calls me,
I feel much deeper.

The force which pulls me,
that attracts me,
I cannot explain.
Only the one above knows why.

Good to see that you're into cross training. It will serve you well along the Way.

Buen Camino!

 

[Aidan21]

Hi Peter,
I first heard of the Camino when I overheard a neighbour speak of it. As soon as I heard the word 'Camino' I was intrigued and joined the conversation. Within 90 seconds I knew it was something I was going to do. I was not so much chosen by the Camino but gripped by the collar and propelled onto the Way. It was simply meant to be and I have been blessed by the experiences I have had on the Camino, both in solitude and in fellowship. If it is meant to be, it will be.
Aidan

 

[jdpiguet]

My poor...

You haven't been called or chosen by the Camino, you have been bitten and you are now infected
The disease is well know and there is no known curative treatment, only palliative.
The good news are that been frequently on the forum and taking vacations in northern Spain will help to control the symptoms!

Known symptoms are:

• Following every yellow arrow you find
• Smiling like a silly when you see a shell
• Reacting as to an electric shock when you hear the word "Camino"
• ...

Buen Camino dear friend in suffering,
Jacques-D.

 

[JP]

I know how you feel, when I told my Father I was going walk 800 KM on the Camino Frances in 2014 he told me I was crazy!

 

[Annette london]

My poor...

You haven't been called or chosen by the Camino, you have been bitten and you are now infected
The disease is well know and there is no known curative treatment, only palliative.
The good news are that been frequently on the forum and taking vacations in northern Spain will help to control the symptoms!

Known symptoms are:

• Following every yellow arrow you find
• Smiling like a silly when you see a shell
• Reacting as to an electric shock when you hear the word "Camino"
• ...

Buen Camino dear friend in suffering,
Jacques-D.

Symptoms are quiet correct!! Also meeting someone that you've never seen before with a shell around their necks and greeting them like a long lost friend!! Waving to someone in a car with a Camino sticker on the back window (with a crazy smile on your face too!!) And do we really want a cure for this anyway?? Not really!

 

[Kev]

Echoing the above sentiments, the Camino calls and we listen. Upon returning I witnessed a coworker suddenly get the calling after hearing about my travels.

 

[Mark Lee]

If some asks me why I wanted to walk the Camino, or to walk it again, I just do the old bit of answering a question with a question and ask right back, "why not"? Also it seems that most who wonder why someone would walk 800 km across a country are themselves, not very well traveled, and spent their lives in a small world. What little travelling they have done was on short, pre-packaged tours or on cruise ships. No offense to anybody out there, but that's never been my cup of tea. The thought of taking off for a month or so and walking that distance living off their back scares them a bit. Personally I like travel with no itinerary and away from the more commercialized places. I suppose that why I get a bit ruffled when I see the hints of over commercialization and pre-packaging on the Camino.

 

[C3 to Camino]

... it seems that most who wonder why someone would walk 800 km across a country are themselves, not very well traveled, and spent their lives in a small world. What little travelling they have done was on short, pre-packaged tours or on cruise ships. No offense to anybody out there, but that's never been my cup of tea. The thought of taking off for a month or so and walking that distance living off their back scares them a bit...

OR... they're trying to figure out what this tickle is in their brain and their restless legs, why they themselves want to walk it, and what kind of disease this is that we all share!

 

[Gracemarie]

My first Camino will be in June-July this year. Through this forum, I sometimes feel the way has already started, as the spirit of other pilgrims is shared. It is a definite calling for me,, a 65 year old solo walker. I often reflect on how many life experiences were, amazingly, preparing me for this moment in my life. The Camino beckoned me, apparently, before I had even heard of it!

 

[Skandinaviangirl]

You are not alone.

I was chosen by the Camino too. It's like it's written for me, and it cannot be changed. I did it and I have to do it again - I feel like, even if I didn't want to, it would be necessary for me, because it is my destiny.

It's strong words, but I don't know.. That's how I feel, and I'm loving it, really.

 

[Skandinaviangirl]

My poor...

You haven't been called or chosen by the Camino, you have been bitten and you are now infected
The disease is well know and there is no known curative treatment, only palliative.
The good news are that been frequently on the forum and taking vacations in northern Spain will help to control the symptoms!

Known symptoms are:

• Following every yellow arrow you find
• Smiling like a silly when you see a shell
• Reacting as to an electric shock when you hear the word "Camino"
• ...

Buen Camino dear friend in suffering,
Jacques-D.

Oh my, this couldn't have been truer words....

 

[Introibo]

Love and Peace Man !

Why not tell them you walked it back in 1970, dropped your comb and you're going
back to see if you can find it.

Buen Camino

 

[Teresa7591]

As part of my training for my first Camino in May, I’m walking about 4 km to the swimming pool, having a swim, then walking the 4 kilometres back home. So today one of the regulars at the swimming pool asked me what I was doing. When I explained to him that I was in training to walk 800 km in Spain he just gave me this incredulous look and with an unsettling smirk on his face asked me, “Why……….. why would you want to do that?”

So on my walk back home from the pool I reflected on the reasons I was walking the Camino. When I first decided to walk the Camino a little over 12 montWellhs ago it was because it would be an adventure and I thought it would give me time to reflect and consider on what I should be doing, given that I'd recently retired. But now, after having read and watched so much about the Camino, having researched all that I could, having gathered all the necessary gear and equipment, I now feel that the Camino is not something that I would like to do but it is something that I NEED to do. It is almost like, I didn’t choose the Camino, the Camino chose me.

Does this mean that at 64 I'm turning into some sort of new age hippie (or whatever the modern day equivalent is) or are there other fellow pilgrims out there who've experienced such feelings.

Peter,
I too was called by the Camino and although I may have a bit of the hippie in me, i prefer to think that when we get older and retire we become more sensitive to our callings. Those stirrings aren't being crowded out anymore by the rush rush of schedules and agendas...Maybe that sounds a little new age-ish but do we really care? I head out of St. Jean Pied de Porte on May 15th.. See you there! Buen Camino!

 

[HalfDomeOrBust]

As part of my training for my first Camino in May, I’m walking about 4 km to the swimming pool, having a swim, then walking the 4 kilometres back home. So today one of the regulars at the swimming pool asked me what I was doing. When I explained to him that I was in training to walk 800 km in Spain he just gave me this incredulous look and with an unsettling smirk on his face asked me, “Why……….. why would you want to do that?”

So on my walk back home from the pool I reflected on the reasons I was walking the Camino. When I first decided to walk the Camino a little over 12 months ago it was because it would be an adventure and I thought it would give me time to reflect and consider on what I should be doing, given that I'd recently retired. But now, after having read and watched so much about the Camino, having researched all that I could, having gathered all the necessary gear and equipment, I now feel that the Camino is not something that I would like to do but it is something that I NEED to do. It is almost like, I didn’t choose the Camino, the Camino chose me.

Does this mean that at 64 I'm turning into some sort of new age hippie (or whatever the modern day equivalent is) or are there other fellow pilgrims out there who've experienced such feelings.

Hello Peter, I have always felt that the Camino chose me as well.....

 

[marjude]

Hi Peter, I first heard about the Camino in the late nineties and immediately thought " that is something i could do" having always been a walker and over the years the word Camino would crop up and i was reminded about the walk. In 2009 i reached a time in my life where my thoughts were "you have to do something for yourself" and once again that Camino word was there reminding me about those intitial thoughts, I bought the book written by Aussie Tony Kevin who walked the Via de la Plata and i was hooked. I told my husband and sons what i going to do and with their support and continuing support i am heading off on my third Camino on 3rd April and yes i'm sure the Camino chose me and kept reminding me that it was something that was meant to be.


Beun Camino Judy.

 

[Phoenix]

Hi Peter. I agree with those who say it gets in your blood. I first heard of the Camino a few years ago when a friend suggested that I watch the movie, The Way. I thought it was interesting and walking the Camino went on the "maybe" part of my bucket list. Then in December of 2013, the same friend, who is several years deep into his battle with Parkinson's disease, asked me if I would go with him to help fulfill his dream. I went with him for two weeks in March 2014 (for the first 155 miles of Camino Frances, starting in SJPdP). So many people have been kind to me in my life; it was a privilege to give back/pay it forward by being there as his support person and friend. It was a lot of work, but rewarding. However, I only got a taste of the Camino because I was so focused on helping my friend. (He completed 350 miles in 2014, then went back in 2015 with a mutual friend and made it to SdC!)

Several months after I returned to the U.S., I noticed that I was longing for something. I needed more of what I only had a brief taste of on the Camino: camaraderie, kindness, simple purpose, and being outdoors for days on end. The Camino satisfies something in us that is hard to define or describe to others. I've been dreaming of going back since then, and I will in Sept/Oct, this time with my son who has been away from home in the military for five years. I can't wait to see how we are both changed by the Camino, and by walking it together.

Buen Camino!

 

[Peter Clifton]

Peter,
I too was called by the Camino and although I may have a bit of the hippie in me, i prefer to think that when we get older and retire we become more sensitive to our callings. Those stirrings aren't being crowded out anymore by the rush rush of schedules and agendas...Maybe that sounds a little new age-ish but do we really care? I head out of St. Jean Pied de Porte on May 15th.. See you there! Buen Camino!

Too true, "do we really care?"
I leave SJPD on May 17th. Hope to see you along the way.

 

[Peter Clifton]

Love and Peace Man !

Why not tell them you walked it back in 1970, dropped your comb and you're going
back to see if you can find it.

Buen Camino

Love it!

 

[Kanga]

I think it was 1969. But then, if I was there in 1969, I would not be able to remember it.....

 

[alexwalker]

The Camino is a strange being: When it starts whispering in the back of your brain, it somehow becomes irresistible. At least, that's how it is for many of us in here. The calling is strong...

 

[William Garza]

Do you Pigrim..

Moved to tears at the mention of the wise...yet,Ever Green road not yet traveled
Sigh.the lover long unrequited
The river, far from united with the arms of the welcoming sea?

longing-longing-Longing!
For the whisper..in reverent silent soul

This...
THIS is what I am For!!
He thunders...

Heart pounding in shuttered breast!
Heaving bosom,
Tears unleashed from nest
To fall pon woundrous face

To reach at last..
Place.

Cast your voice into the nite!
I am HERE!

Murmurs
Voices
All your choices
I am here...

Stars overhead nod in sage delight
The River goes to join the Sea

The Pilgrim joins the stream at last

The pull in the heart is stronger by far
When the wind speaks outside windows pane..
The call on soul was always dear...
When silent raindrops fell
Who else but you to tell?

The distance you walk will never equal the distance you have traveled.

Be Blessed Pilgrim

 

[Angie94]

The calling is strong...

that is certainly the truth in my case...