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On my first Camino (CF) in 2008, I was on the deck at Orisson. Two girls had just arrived. One blond the other a brunette. They went inside to check in and then returned to the deck a short time later. I invited them to my table and we spoke about the "Why" we were on Camino and agreed to sit together for the evening communal supper. One, a blond from Switzerland, really took my breath away. As it happens, over the next several weeks, we walked together, I was injured, we separated. We met up again, when she was injured. The magic was there. The timing seemed right. The Camino apparently agreed because each time we were separated for whatever reason we were brought back together. We three finished at SDC the same day. The brunette had to return to Germany so the Swiss Miss and I continued on to Finisterre. We have kept in touch, but no joy as we say in the military.
Have you had a similar, or better experience?
Surprisingly, it keeps me out of trouble. xTo Henry's owner...it sounds like you have possibly enjoyed many beers while on the Camino.
I have never walked without a family member or a friend...no beer needed, although I do enjoy a glass of wine or orujo.Surprisingly, it keeps me out of trouble. x
One of the joys on the Camino is the new friendships, male friendships, female friendships, and the occasional beer. Particularly friendships with those who use the Oxford comma.Whenever the circumstances have seemed right: the mood, the conversation, the emotion(,*) and the shared experience, I have reminded myself that I’m married to Mrs Henry the Dog and if I want to stay attached to my genitals I’d better just wander off in search of another beer and keep my mind on the Camino.
* optional Oxford Comma for the punctuation fans
@nycwalking, my dear friend. There is no appropriate emoji for how I am feeling about your remarkable, yet unfinished journey of life.
You are very special...a virtual bestie that I hope one day to meet. You have given me a wonderful friendship that began on this forum with many laughs, and has blossomed through chatting in the online game we play, although you are most always the clear winner.
Yeah, I know I am sappy, but I don't care. I also realize I have digressed and hijacked this thread a little bit...I hope those reading and contributing won't mind.
I have been married twice. Cannot afford another "romance". When women approach me I look down into the Mother Earth and keep on walking. But I have met many wonderful people on my Caminos, women as well as
Marines have many sayings about life in the Corps, here's one “Everyday is a holiday and every meal a banquet!”Never met "the One" in life let alone on the Camino. Couldn't do it in 30 odd years so wasn't hopeful in 30 odd days
A cautionary tale: I wasn't soul-searching on the Camino, but I inadvertently found the cure for one of my own irrational orthographic preferences. Having searched for a properly certified and environmentally committed tree surgeon from a shortlist of unimpeachable candidates, I selected 'the one' whose credentials were distinguished by his literacy. It was a major job, which had to be suspended over the previous winter. The following Spring, while en route to Santiago, I received an email from him indicating that he was ready to resume work. Preoccupied with the journey, I paid only cursory attention to the attached statement of my account. It was only some days later that I discovered the unexpected additional charge for the final stage of the work in progress, which was not stated in the original agreement. Having no desire for litigation, I paid a hefty price for my punctilious prejudice.One of the joys on the Camino is the new friendships, male friendships, female friendships, and the occasional beer. Particularly friendships with those who use the Oxford comma.
Paladina,A cautionary tale: I wasn't soul-searching on the Camino, but I inadvertently found the cure for one of my own irrational orthographic preferences. Having searched for a properly certified and environmentally committed tree surgeon from a shortlist of unimpeachable candidates, I selected 'the one' whose credentials were distinguished by his literacy. It was a major job, which had to be suspended over the previous winter. The following Spring, while en route to Santiago, I received an email from him indicating that he was ready to resume work. Preoccupied with the journey, I paid only cursory attention to the attached statement of my account. It was only some days later that I discovered the unexpected additional charge for the final stage of the work in progress, which was not stated in the original agreement. Having no desire for litigation, I paid a hefty price for my punctilious prejudice.
Wow , can you give us short synopsis of the walk to Israel?On my first Camino, once arrived in Roncesvalles, some bloke called out to me ‘and where are you from?’ He ‘d listened to me speaking in French, Spanish and English and was puzzled. I wasn’t amused (being French) and probably answered something rude like ‘what is it to you?’ Oops.
To cut a (very) long story short, we ended up walking together most of the time... We also ended up walking to Jerusalem together. That and many other Caminos
Life, eh?
I had the opposite experience in Paris.I’ve told this before, but what the heck.
I had the opposite experience in Paris.
A girl who was basically the living incarnation of my adolescent fantasies (white-skinned, blue-eyed, black hair, ferociously intelligent, poetically and materially beautiful, honest, open, and highly cultured and very well educated) -- asked ME out.
Those were an incredible three weeks, 'til it inevitably came to a crash -- and Camino-wise, it was just prior to my 1994 from Paris -- but as regards nyc's query, whilst I deeply understand the question and its answer, your ideal is not necessarily who you need.
My heart for you and your ONEIt's never even occurred to me to look for "The One" on any of my many walks.
Traditionalist Anglican Catholic clergy marry, and I have in fact been married to "My One" for almost 40 years, now. The greatest gift God ever gave me! … She's physically disabled and walking with me has never been an option for her, but she always says "I understand, dear! Go ahead, do it! I'll be here for you when you get back!." And, when I do get back, she lovingly sits through all my endless tales of high adventure in Ye Olde Spain....
What I do look for is "The" chorizo al vino!
My adolescent crush was Annette on the Mickey Mouse Club. M I C K E Y M O U S E...eat your heart out Rolling Stones!You can’t always get what you want but if you try sometimes you just might find you get what your need. Rolling Stones.
I didnt "meet the One" on CF 2017 but I did manage to (largely) separate from someone who I thought way back when might be the One (she separated from me 45 years earlier, but that is another story). Something that never really went away...On my first Camino (CF) in 2008, I was on the deck at Orisson. Two girls had just arrived. One blond the other a brunette. They went inside to check in and then returned to the deck a short time later. I invited them to my table and we spoke about the "Why" we were on Camino and agreed to sit together for the evening communal supper. One, a blond from Switzerland, really took my breath away. As it happens, over the next several weeks, we walked together, I was injured, we separated. We met up again, when she was injured. The magic was there. The timing seemed right. The Camino apparently agreed because each time we were separated for whatever reason we were brought back together. We three finished at SDC the same day. The brunette had to return to Germany so the Swiss Miss and I continued on to Finisterre. We have kept in touch, but no joy as we say in the military.
Have you had a similar, or better experience?
At least it was only a monkey!I didnt "meet the One" on CF 2017 but I did manage to (largely) separate from someone who I thought at the time might be the One (she separated from me 45 years earlier, but that is another story). Something that never really went away...
I recently came across advice to intending pilgrims to"use the time on the camino to make peace with the past" and I realised that this is exactly what I (unknowingly) had done...
The long walk across the meseta allowed the feet to take over and the mind to wander where it would, and it settled on the events of many years ago and I resolved to do certain things when I returned home. As a result, the 'monkey' is now largely off my back!
Life takes strange turns...
Oh! Congratulations, btw. But your answer made me realise I probably (or rather very likely!!!) misunderstood the original questionIt's never even occurred to me to look for "The One" on any of my many walks.
Traditionalist Anglican Catholic clergy marry, and I have in fact been married to "My One" for almost 40 years now. The greatest gift God ever gave me! … She's physically disabled and walking with me has never been an option for her, but she always says "I understand, dear! Go ahead, do it! I'll be here for you when you get back!." And, when I do get back, she lovingly sits through all my tales of high adventure in Ye Olde Spain....
What I do look for is "The" chorizo al vino!
Very short as I don’t want to hijack this threadWow , can you give us short synopsis of the walk to Israel?
I too met the one on the Camino in May 2015 . We continued a relationship between Belgium and Australia. We traveled around Australia, Europe and America and spent many months of the year together till February last year when he returned to Belgium after a trip to Australia.On my first Camino (CF) in 2008, I was on the deck at Orisson. Two girls had just arrived. One blond the other a brunette. They went inside to check in and then returned to the deck a short time later. I invited them to my table and we spoke about the "Why" we were on Camino and agreed to sit together for the evening communal supper. One, a blond from Switzerland, really took my breath away. As it happens, over the next several weeks, we walked together, I was injured, we separated. We met up again, when she was injured. The magic was there. The timing seemed right. The Camino apparently agreed because each time we were separated for whatever reason we were brought back together. We three finished at SDC the same day. The brunette had to return to Germany so the Swiss Miss and I continued on to Finisterre. We have kept in touch, but no joy as we say in the military.
Have you had a similar, or better experience?
Sounds like Covid possibly could have contributed. Sorry to read of your crushed dream...maybe there is hope for a new one.spent many months of the year together till February last year when he returned to Belgium after a trip to Australia.
Agree. I too Met God in a big wayIf by The One, you mean God -- then yes.
That is ALMOST(!) worthy of the unwritten Bard's tragedy!I met her in Villafranca del Bierzo. Off the 7am bus from A Coruna. She'd had an interesting flight and a kindly Hotelier who woke her in time for the bus and drove her to the bus-stop. There were smiles on the faces of her fellow passengers as they watched us hug while the bus departed in a cloud of road dust & diesel fumes.
There were tears for both of us 3 days later as I handed her onto a return bus at some sparrow-fart hour of the morning. Her for A Coruna; me for O'Cebreiro
CC... you really ARE "Something Else"I have never walked without a family member or a friend...no beer needed, although I do enjoy a glass of wine or orujo.
I’m the friend in question who endured my very own penitential rite walking with BG.I walked with a friend of mine two years ago and he met his partner while on the Camino. They are both from Ireland and from the same city but had not met before day 1 of our Camino. I quickly became a spare wheel and let romance blossom. They still walk together on the towpath. Interestingly he is not allowed on another Camino with me
Not Covid,another woman which he hoped neither I or her would find out about each otherSounds like Covid possibly could have contributed. Sorry to read of your crushed dream...maybe there is hope for a new one.
I am so very happy for you both. The magic of the Camino touches each of us in so many unique ways.In 2004, my first Camino. I met an English man while walking towards Astorga, we talked and walked together for about 2 hours, I stayed behind and lost sight of him, several days later I arrived to Ponferrada and the first person sitting by the water fountain in the albergue was him, we reconnected inmediatelly ans walked together all the way to Santiago an then to Finisterra, I had to return to Canada but we kept in touch every week, He came to visit me in Canada I came to visit him to the UK,
We got married in Canada, and now I live in England, (He says Canada is either too cold or too hot for his taste). Several caminos later we are still together and we are celebrating 14 year wedding anniversary this year
I have read your post two days ago and I must say what you wrote is keep coming back to my mind. I can relate to that... and this made me so sad Alexwalker... I truly hope one day you will look up. Love is the only thing that matters... but it is so hard to believe when you are hurt.I have been married twice. Cannot afford another "romance". When women approach me I look down into the Mother Earth and keep on walking. But I have met many wonderful people on my Caminos, women as well as men.
All is well. I have a girlfriend. Next time i stumble across one I don't like, I'll buy her a house and just walk away. It is cheaper and faster.I have read your post two days ago and I must say what you wrote is keep coming back to my mind. I can relate to that... and this made me so sad Alexwalker... I truly hope one day you will look up. Love is the only thing that matters... but it is so hard to believe when you are hurt.
You can’t always get what you want but if you try sometimes you just might find you get what your need. Rolling Stones.
Nice place to have met him. Fromista a nice town. One of my favorites on the Frances.I met the one in the Camino too. I wasn't looking for love at all... but the Camino gives you what you need not what you wish for. I will never forget him till the end of my life. I never met anyone like him, and I don't think I ever will again. We were both too broken, too unexperienced, and sadly, we couldn't make it in long term. But I shall hold his memory forever and I am thankful for every minute I spent with him.
Oh, and... I met him in Fromista.
If you can't be with the one you love, love the one you're with. --stephen stills
My heart is with youGosh, this thread, my creation, is sending me into a very maudlin, dark place. I lost my wife to both cancer and my own hard-heartedness. On my first Camino, I had just left a lady back home, I imagined she was "The One." Beautiful, respected lawyer, good (though not great) sailor and apparently in love with me. Even my kids liked her. But, my Camino was long planned and, with tears in her eyes, she just asked that I come back to her. You also know about the "Swiss Miss" of that same Camino. She plays a prominent part in my "factional" novel.
When I was injured, my lady back home pleaded with me to end my Camino, she said she would nurse me back to health. Each day, through emails, we talked about my Marine attitude and her need for me to come home. In my mind, I was in the moment. The Swiss Miss was part of that moment. I was reminded of the Garth Brooks song, "Unanswered Prayers"
And as she walked away and I looked at my wife (girl friend)
And then and there I thanked the good Lord
For the gifts in my life
I did make it home. The reunion was fantastic! Then, she said that, in a moment of sadness and worry about me, she sought comfort in an old boyfriend's arms. I was devastated! I told her we can not go on like this. I thought she understood. We stayed great friends. Then one day she cut herself, saying, "I was her reward for not hurting herself." I was torn and conflicted, but remained available when her dark night encroached into her days. Hired away, she moved to a higher paying job in a city several hours away. She would call me, as I said she always could, at anytime of day. Each summer, I travel to Maine to teach sailing. That one summer, I was called by her previous boss who told me she had died.
Finding "the One" is a quest in life that follows many twists and turns. It spans your existence from initial discovery, through sharing of special moments, possibly to marriage and, as I often said to my boer meisie, "I just want to grow old gracefully, wrapped in your arms."
Five Caminos, and counting. I've met many a lady that could have been "the One." Hope springs eternal.
"Every day is Christmas Day and every night is New Years Eve."Marines have many sayings about life in the Corps, here's one “Everyday is a holiday and every meal a banquet!”
Rewritten for the Camino: “Where everyday is for reflection and every meal an opportunity!”
If one is open to the possibility of meeting “the One”. Then meeting that special person is still a possibility.
I met the one on the camino too, but outside the camino our lives were not compatible. So I called it off six weeks before the weddingOn my first Camino (CF) in 2008, I was on the deck at Orisson. Two girls had just arrived. One blond the other a brunette. They went inside to check in and then returned to the deck a short time later. I invited them to my table and we spoke about the "Why" we were on Camino and agreed to sit together for the evening communal supper. One, a blond from Switzerland, really took my breath away. As it happens, over the next several weeks, we walked together, I was injured, we separated. We met up again, when she was injured. The magic was there. The timing seemed right. The Camino apparently agreed because each time we were separated for whatever reason we were brought back together. We three finished at SDC the same day. The brunette had to return to Germany so the Swiss Miss and I continued on to Finisterre. We have kept in touch, but no joy as we say in the military.
Have you had a similar, or better experience?
@Rain, in everyone's life...a little Rain must fall!I met the one on the camino too, but outside the camino our lives were not compatible. So I called it off six weeks before the wedding
Interesting. I found this same behavior with some of the sailing crowd ... like different personalities aboard boat than when ashore.
I'm sure that is a very good analogy.Interesting. I found this same behavior with some of the sailing crowd ... like different personalities aboard boat than when ashore.
Gosh, this thread, my creation, is sending me into a very maudlin, dark place. I lost my wife to both cancer and my own hard-heartedness. On my first Camino, I had just left a lady back home, I imagined she was "The One." Beautiful, respected lawyer, good (though not great) sailor and apparently in love with me. Even my kids liked her. But, my Camino was long planned and, with tears in her eyes, she just asked that I come back to her. You also know about the "Swiss Miss" of that same Camino. She plays a prominent part in my "factional" novel.
When I was injured, my lady back home pleaded with me to end my Camino, she said she would nurse me back to health. Each day, through emails, we talked about my Marine attitude and her need for me to come home. In my mind, I was in the moment. The Swiss Miss was part of that moment. I was reminded of the Garth Brooks song, "Unanswered Prayers"
And as she walked away and I looked at my wife (girl friend)
And then and there I thanked the good Lord
For the gifts in my life
I did make it home. The reunion was fantastic! Then, she said that, in a moment of sadness and worry about me, she sought comfort in an old boyfriend's arms. I was devastated! I told her we can not go on like this. I thought she understood. We stayed great friends. Then one day she cut herself, saying, "I was her reward for not hurting herself." I was torn and conflicted, but remained available when her dark night encroached into her days. Hired away, she moved to a higher paying job in a city several hours away. She would call me, as I said she always could, at anytime of day. Each summer, I travel to Maine to teach sailing. That one summer, I was called by her previous boss who told me she had died.
Finding "the One" is a quest in life that follows many twists and turns. It spans your existence from initial discovery, through sharing of special moments, possibly to marriage and, as I often said to my boer meisie, "I just want to grow old gracefully, wrapped in your arms."
Five Caminos, and counting. I've met many a lady that could have been "the One." Hope springs eternal.
Coincidences are God's way of staying anonymous. (Mahatma Gandhi);
Mine was Yvonne de Carlo, aka the mom on the Munsters... she was just, perfect!My adolescent crush was Annette on the Mickey Mouse Club. M I C K E Y M O U S E...eat your heart out Rolling Stones!
I guess you could say she was my first “The One!”
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