Flashbacks

[J.Patrick]

Every now and then, there’s a moment when I’m overwhelmed by the emotions of my Caminos. Sometimes it happens because of music. I didn’t listen to music while I walked. Only when I was resting. And yet, one of my pilgrimage playlists rips me right back to my time in Spain.

Sometime is it has to do with food that tastes of something of the Basque country, or of the beautiful fabadas of Asturias.

Sometimes I’m pulled in by a book that I’m reading that calls to mind a moment with people, or alone, or in a restaurant on the Way, and I’m ripped right back.

Sometimes it’s while I’m doing a practice walk, preparing for the next Camino, and I’m struck by a view of the lovely hills here in Camarillo that remind me so much of Spain. Or, perhaps, a random thought occurs, and I’m swept right back to the Way.

I’ve learned so many important life lessons from the Camino, but the greatest blessings are the flashbacks that take me home again, and remind me that I am always, everywhere, a pilgrim. Do you feel what I’m saying here? Does it connect with you at all?

 

[Roland49]

Me, too, "suffer" from flashbacks from time to time.

As I planned to walk the CP from Porto on Easter-break this year, postponed it to fall this year the flashbacks are getting stronger. Due to C19 and my medical conditions I'm not vaccinated yet, so I postponed it again.

I did a hike in the Harz last weekend and some of the views reminded me of the Sierra after Portomarin.
I sighed and walked on.

 

[mspath]

Happily there still are flashbacks!

I finished my tenth CF in December 2014 but every day since there have been flashbacks often based on the weather. For example today here in rural France there is heavy fog and thus in my mind I "see" ie. recall similar fogs across the years on the Camino.



Since 2009 sharing and participating in this unique Forum is part of my daily life. Providing information about the Camino almost always based on a flashback has become a particular pleasure whether responding to another pilgrim or writing for unknown readers.

Now at 82 and unable to walk long distances I regularly look forward to the next time to recall; may such flashbacks continue as long as I.

 

[Turga]

Do you feel what I’m saying here? Does it connect with you at all?

Oh, yes.......

 

[Wmonk2071]

I do after my first camino (Sarria to SDC) in Sep of this year, that I decided Im going to recreate the "camino" experience and spirit of adventure in my daily life, while still waiting for the actual next camino portugues which I plan to do spring next year if all goes well.

Right now what I started to do is take long walks on weekend around Madrid green zones and parks to keep fit while trying to recreate the Camino experience and whenever I can, I try to keep up with the blogs here to maintain the that sense of community and adventure with other pilgrims.

All the best,
AC

 

[Phoenix]

Yes, I feel it often; sometimes during walks/hikes, but more so when I encounter someone here at home who has walked a Camino (which happened on a local trail last month). That instant camaraderie...

 

[Camino Chrissy]

When I encounter someone here at home who has walked a Camino (which happened on a local trail last month). That instant camaraderie...

So true for me too. I have experienced that same thing and that instant camaraderie is a welcome feeling because they "get it" even when some of our close friends or family do not.

 

[Sweetbaboo]

I have just started (3 months ago) a series of oil paintings(6) reflecting my Caminos and sometimes my heart just aches to be there. Next year Norte Camino.

 

[Jeff Crawley]

I do, out of the blue, sometimes get an image of the Camino flash through my mind - frequently followed by "now where was that?"

 

[mspath]

I have just started (3 months ago) a series of oil paintings(6) reflecting my Caminos and sometimes my heart just aches to be there. Next year Norte Camino.

Sweetbaboo,
Your Meseta painting is such a wonderful way for you to remember; each brushstroke must be laden.
Thank you for sharing this personal memento.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I have just started (3 months ago) a series of oil paintings(6) reflecting my Caminos and sometimes my heart just aches to be there. Next year Norte Camino.

This is such a perfect painting and is hard to distinguish it from the real thing.
Thank you!

 

[natefaith]

I get flashbacks when I walk up steep hills and think, "Why aren't I using trekking poles right now?!!" And when I see local trails with only eucalyptus and laurel trees around.

When I see a whole bunch of eucalyptus trees I also think of @peregrina2000, because she dislikes them so much....but that's a different story .

 

[Camino Chrissy]

When I see a whole bunch of eucalyptus trees I also think of @peregrina2000, because she dislikes them so much

I dislike them, too. They are so messy and an invasive species brought in from Australia. On the other hand, I don't think the Caminos would be quite the same without tromping through a few forests of eucalyptus.

 

[Stivandrer]

With me, it is the sensory perceptions that hit me bringing me back to the Camino...
A noise of a mobile phone clamouring in the dark, rustling of sb getting up next to you, flickering light and the taste in your mouth of long, deep sleep and the inadverdently sour taste of wanting breakfast really hard, but then at the same time remembering that you clean forgot to save some apple or banana, a youghurt or some bisquits for emergency breakfast before you reach the next town, which is....which is......what the hell is the next village, and where am I ??

This is when, back to reality, that I realise it is my hardworking homebirthing midwife spouse being called on the horn in the darkness of night, and I can go back to sleep... and now thanking my self that due to switching to an intermitting fasting and keto diet, I am not due to any breakfast soon, not until 10 o´clock anyhow....

You can do it pilgrim, so many times you walked 10 K before a breakkie !!!

 

[Chris Taggart]

Absolutely, as I walk through the eucalyptus groves near my home, I am transported to areas of the Camino Frances.
Apart from the visual likeness, there is the fragrance, the silence, the breeze through the trees…..…calling to the longing in my heart to again walk a Pilgrimage.

 

[TaraWalks]

I dislike them, too. They are so messy and an invasive species brought in from Australia. On the other hand, I don't think the Caminos would be quite the same without tromping through a few forests of eucalyptus.

For me they eucalypts signify that my camino is nearly over and I’ll be back on a flight to Sydney soon enough. They mean home to me and don’t really remind me of being on camino, but dark, wet streets first thing in the morning certainly do!

 

[Smallest_Sparrow]

I dislike them, too. They are so messy and an invasive species brought in from Australia. On the other hand, I don't think the Caminos would be quite the same without tromping through a few forests of eucalyptus.

So many reasons to dislike this non-native plant I agree…otoh eucalyptus groves are where the monarchs prefer to winter in California.

 

[Smallest_Sparrow]

I live on a hill, and some hundred year old oaks were cut down for homes below (). I planted some manzanitas to block that view except a cluster of white houses in one spot…on some mornings the sun and fog can make me almost believe it’s Roncesvalles

 

[David Tallan]

Every now and then, there’s a moment when I’m overwhelmed by the emotions of my Caminos. Sometimes it happens because of music. I didn’t listen to music while I walked. Only when I was resting. And yet, one of my pilgrimage playlists rips me right back to my time in Spain.

Sometime is it has to do with food that tastes of something of the Basque country, or of the beautiful fabadas of Asturias.

Sometimes I’m pulled in by a book that I’m reading that calls to mind a moment with people, or alone, or in a restaurant on the Way, and I’m ripped right back.

Sometimes it’s while I’m doing a practice walk, preparing for the next Camino, and I’m struck by a view of the lovely hills here in Camarillo that remind me so much of Spain. Or, perhaps, a random thought occurs, and I’m swept right back to the Way.

I’ve learned so many important life lessons from the Camino, but the greatest blessings are the flashbacks that take me home again, and remind me that I am always, everywhere, a pilgrim. Do you feel what I’m saying here? Does it connect with you at all?

Sometimes it has to do with seeing my shadow stretched out in front of me....

 

[Phoenix]

the greatest blessings are the flashbacks that take me home again, and remind me that I am always, everywhere, a pilgrim. Do you feel what I’m saying here? Does it connect with you at all?

I did this today... purposefully. I downloaded a couple tracks of ocean waves and beach sounds before heading out for my walk this morning; at least for that hour, I was once again walking the litoral/coastal route from Porto.

 

[Reija]

Yes, every time I see the yellow shell on the blue background. I live in a town that has a Jakobsweg going through it so I get a lot of flashbacks.