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You're right, of course, and it's easy to forget. Thank you for helping us to remember.We all know that for a number of people, maybe a lot of people, their Camino doesn't turn out the way they planned. Maybe they even leave it early. We don't hear much from them.
Love your story. Prayers change things and usThanks for sharing @Lucyk and hope you are feeling better.
You made the right call without doubt!
I recall reading a similar story last year, in the same area.........
Having to go home, is something we all dread I think.
We push ourselves on and hope things will get better.
Sometimes they do and sometimes they don't.
Hopefully you'll get back to the Camino one day soon.
I'll share a story that I have told here before.
On my first Camino I really struggled physically. Mainly because I was unfit and overweight and had injured myself training.
After about 15 kms each day my Achilles Tendons would be screaming at me.
But with stretching, icing, rest, meds.......I would press on.
I honestly did not expect to make it to Santiago.
I just enjoyed each day as it came, as if it might be my last on the Camino..........
But it was not the physical strain that had me thinking of going home.
It was the emotional strain.......... Don't underestimate it.
Just prior to Leon............I had a tough choice to make.
It was about 2 hours out of Leon……. (the short version)
I’d hit a real low point. I really felt my Camino was coming to an end. That I needed to go home. That it was selfish to continue this journey. I was struggling, really struggling. (My wife was home alone dealing with her sick Father) I had been grappling with this decision for days.......
I just stopped at the side of the path.
I dropped to my knees with tears in my eyes.
I grasped a rosary that a Catholic friend had loaned me, as I did each day when saying my thank you….
I looked up and asked. “OK. How is this supposed to work? Do you give me a sign or something?
I’m really struggling with this decision. I feel like I should go home. But should I complete this journey? Over to You……….”
Not really feeling any better, I stood up and continued along the path…….
ONE.
After about 300 metres, I saw an old man with a dog walking towards me. He was stooped a little, probably about 70 years of age. He looked a bit like a Shepherd.
As we got closer, I glanced up. Looked at him and said Buenos Dias. As he replied he smiled and our eyes met.
A chill went down my spine and I stopped in my tracks, as he walked past. After a few moments I turned to look the way he had gone. He also turned and gave me a wave.
The hair stood up on the back of my neck. During that brief greeting and warm smile, the eyes looking back at me were unmistakable. They were the loving eyes of my late Father.
Wow. What just happened I thought….. That was a very clear encouragement, from above, from beyond? Who knows? But it was Dad behind that smile! 100%…..
TWO.
As I was reflecting on this potential ‘sign’ I started up a small hill. I paused for reflection and to take a drink. Not 300 metres beyond where I had seen the man.
My phone rang! Due to the problems at home I made sure I was easily contactable. Though no one normally called me. I usually checked in with them when I could.
So most days I spoke to my wife, by calling her, not her calling me.. (The issue at home was….. that her Father was very sick….)
It was my wife. Her voice was really upbeat and lifting. I asked her how her Dad was, and that I was thinking I should come home. No way she said! How can you help anyway? You’re not a Heart Surgeon! Finish the journey ‘for us’ she said…..
I so needed that call. That call. Right then………
Feeling much better, I now quickened my step towards Leon. Surely only another hour away.
THREE
With a bit more of a spring in my step, I started off along the gravel track….
Not two minutes later. I heard a familiar voice behind me. An Aussie Twang…..
“Hey Robo, how're you going mate”!
It was Rob from Melbourne whom I hadn’t seen in well over a week. A chirpy character with whom I’d shared some long and deep conversations whilst walking and over a glass or two of Vino Tinto…..
He clapped me on the back as he came level and we shared our journeys of where we’d been and who we’d seen since we last met. His pace was faster than mine and it was a struggle to keep up…., with my achilles injuries. But I needed this connection.. ….. Right now I needed it.
So I quickened my pace for 15 minutes or so whilst we chatted and then bid him farewell, expecting to see him down the track at some stage. I did, about 2 weeks later……
I paused for a moment as he ‘took off’ down the track with effortless long strides……
What the heck had just happened!!!!!
In a time of need I had asked for guidance. And in the space of 5 minutes, I was given a sign. One…..Two…..Three!
Amazing things can happen on the Camino………
I was all set to go home once I reached Leon............
Love your story. Prayers change things and us
I'm not actually that Religious. More 'Spiritual'.
But on Camino I kind of turn into a wannabe Catholic
Ah LucyK, I can honestly feel for you. I, too, had to fly home after two large toe infections. I was on the Portuguese at the end of March. 20+ miles for five days in a row, with warmer than usual temps, created just the right conditions for bacteria to set in (hematoma under both large toenails and blisters on the cuticles. I will spare all the picture!) I couldn't wear my hiking shoes on Day 4, so switched to chaos sandals which I had not practiced in with any regularity. Then I ended up with blisters on the sides on my feet from those! I now had no good options. I soaked my feet, elevated them and iced them for two full days. On my third rest day in Tomar I made it to the ER in the early morning (a time when folks are heading to work and kids are heading to school.). They prescribed an antibiotic, etc. and then they held my hands, got to my eye level and said with the most compassion, "You will need to reschedule your camino for another time." It was as if they knew how badly I wanted to push, but were giving me permission to step off the Camino...a decision I didn't want to make. I just put on my hiking shoes today (it's been a month) and I walked a couple of hours. Maybe my feet actually "grew" after my camino of two years ago, and ordering a duplicate pair in the same size may have been the wrong thing to do, but I was measured. I think I'd be smart to re-read Davebuggs suggestions on socks and liners before heading back to Portugal...which will, hopefully, be in mid September. Maybe even consider a different hiking shoe brand.We all know that for a number of people, maybe a lot of people, their Camino doesn't turn out the way they planned. Maybe they even leave it early. We don't hear much from them. They probably end with a lot of complicated feelings and are not likely to spend time talking in Facebook groups or forums like this one. I'm one of those people whose Camino came to a sudden and unexpected end, and because it doesn't get talked about much in public, I wrote this blog post to explain why I left:
Puente la Reina to Estella
As you can tell, I found a lot that was positive in my short time on the road. As friends told me when I came back, "The Camino isn't going anywhere," and maybe I will try again some day. (And if you are interested, I followed up this post with a long one about Estella, it's lovely churches, and some of its difficult history.)
This is a case of closing the door after the cow runs out but....
I traveled a lot internationally and visit a travel doctor for any trip longer than 3 weeks. She keeps me up to date in what bad things could happen to you from a health perspectives where I plan to go. She also proscribes Azithromycin (500 mg) to always take with me.
She’s given me a simple rule:
Day 1 Pepto
Day 2 ONE dose of Azithromycin
Day 3 Doctor
My wife got violently ill in Portugal so we skipped Day 1 and went right to Day 2. Within 2 hours she was feeling much better.
I always though going to a travel doc before a long trip was silly. But I’ve changed that belief.
BTW, not recommending any medicine. That’s only for your doc to do.
I think that's true. I think I've been on it for decades.Hi Lucy,
There is a reason the Camino is called the way. Once you decided to walk it, somehow if you let it you are always on it. Going to the store or getting health wise better. Climbing an uphill in live or on the way. Your pilgrimage does not need to stop. Yeah the Spanish hill sites are great but most the time a tarmac road is just that.
One of the best things I learnt on the Camino is selfcare. I think you took that with you as well.
Bon Camino
Get well soon.We all know that for a number of people, maybe a lot of people, their Camino doesn't turn out the way they planned. Maybe they even leave it early. We don't hear much from them. They probably end with a lot of complicated feelings and are not likely to spend time talking in Facebook groups or forums like this one. I'm one of those people whose Camino came to a sudden and unexpected end, and because it doesn't get talked about much in public, I wrote this blog post to explain why I left:
Puente la Reina to Estella
As you can tell, I found a lot that was positive in my short time on the road. As friends told me when I came back, "The Camino isn't going anywhere," and maybe I will try again some day. (And if you are interested, I followed up this post with a long one about Estella, it's lovely churches, and some of its difficult history.)
I’m so happy you listened to your body!! Keep healing.We all know that for a number of people, maybe a lot of people, their Camino doesn't turn out the way they planned. Maybe they even leave it early. We don't hear much from them. They probably end with a lot of complicated feelings and are not likely to spend time talking in Facebook groups or forums like this one. I'm one of those people whose Camino came to a sudden and unexpected end, and because it doesn't get talked about much in public, I wrote this blog post to explain why I left:
Puente la Reina to Estella
As you can tell, I found a lot that was positive in my short time on the road. As friends told me when I came back, "The Camino isn't going anywhere," and maybe I will try again some day. (And if you are interested, I followed up this post with a long one about Estella, it's lovely churches, and some of its difficult history.)
We all know that for a number of people, maybe a lot of people, their Camino doesn't turn out the way they planned. Maybe they even leave it early. We don't hear much from them. They probably end with a lot of complicated feelings and are not likely to spend time talking in Facebook groups or forums like this one. I'm one of those people whose Camino came to a sudden and unexpected end, and because it doesn't get talked about much in public, I wrote this blog post to explain why I left:
Puente la Reina to Estella
As you can tell, I found a lot that was positive in my short time on the road. As friends told me when I came back, "The Camino isn't going anywhere," and maybe I will try again some day. (And if you are interested, I followed up this post with a long one about Estella, it's lovely churches, and some of its difficult history.)
I understand completely the disappointment at not being able to finish a Camino. In 2016 I got as far as Acebo but could go no further as I was in absolute agony. I got a taxi to Ponferrada and then a bus to Santiago and into a hospital. It turned out that I had celulitis and an infection in the bones of my left leg. After a week I was able (with a lot of help) to get to London where, my son lives, and into hospital there. I was there for three weeks before recovering enough to get back to New Zealand and into hospital for another three weeks. Another six months of treatment and I was able to walk again. But now for the good news. Three weeks from today, I will be somewhere between St Jean and Roncesvalles. I am going to start again and am determined to go all of the way to Finisterre.
Thanks for sharing @Lucyk and hope you are feeling better.
You made the right call without doubt!
I recall reading a similar story last year, in the same area.........
Having to go home, is something we all dread I think.
We push ourselves on and hope things will get better.
Sometimes they do and sometimes they don't.
Hopefully you'll get back to the Camino one day soon.
I'll share a story that I have told here before.
On my first Camino I really struggled physically. Mainly because I was unfit and overweight and had injured myself training.
After about 15 kms each day my Achilles Tendons would be screaming at me.
But with stretching, icing, rest, meds.......I would press on.
I honestly did not expect to make it to Santiago.
I just enjoyed each day as it came, as if it might be my last on the Camino..........
But it was not the physical strain that had me thinking of going home.
It was the emotional strain.......... Don't underestimate it.
Just prior to Leon............I had a tough choice to make.
It was about 2 hours out of Leon……. (the short version)
I’d hit a real low point. I really felt my Camino was coming to an end. That I needed to go home. That it was selfish to continue this journey. I was struggling, really struggling. (My wife was home alone dealing with her sick Father) I had been grappling with this decision for days.......
I just stopped at the side of the path.
I dropped to my knees with tears in my eyes.
I grasped a rosary that a Catholic friend had loaned me, as I did each day when saying my thank you….
I looked up and asked. “OK. How is this supposed to work? Do you give me a sign or something?
I’m really struggling with this decision. I feel like I should go home. But should I complete this journey? Over to You……….”
Not really feeling any better, I stood up and continued along the path…….
ONE.
After about 300 metres, I saw an old man with a dog walking towards me. He was stooped a little, probably about 70 years of age. He looked a bit like a Shepherd.
As we got closer, I glanced up. Looked at him and said Buenos Dias. As he replied he smiled and our eyes met.
A chill went down my spine and I stopped in my tracks, as he walked past. After a few moments I turned to look the way he had gone. He also turned and gave me a wave.
The hair stood up on the back of my neck. During that brief greeting and warm smile, the eyes looking back at me were unmistakable. They were the loving eyes of my late Father.
Wow. What just happened I thought….. That was a very clear encouragement, from above, from beyond? Who knows? But it was Dad behind that smile! 100%…..
TWO.
As I was reflecting on this potential ‘sign’ I started up a small hill. I paused for reflection and to take a drink. Not 300 metres beyond where I had seen the man.
My phone rang! Due to the problems at home I made sure I was easily contactable. Though no one normally called me. I usually checked in with them when I could.
So most days I spoke to my wife, by calling her, not her calling me.. (The issue at home was….. that her Father was very sick….)
It was my wife. Her voice was really upbeat and lifting. I asked her how her Dad was, and that I was thinking I should come home. No way she said! How can you help anyway? You’re not a Heart Surgeon! Finish the journey ‘for us’ she said…..
I so needed that call. That call. Right then………
Feeling much better, I now quickened my step towards Leon. Surely only another hour away.
THREE
With a bit more of a spring in my step, I started off along the gravel track….
Not two minutes later. I heard a familiar voice behind me. An Aussie Twang…..
“Hey Robo, how're you going mate”!
It was Rob from Melbourne whom I hadn’t seen in well over a week. A chirpy character with whom I’d shared some long and deep conversations whilst walking and over a glass or two of Vino Tinto…..
He clapped me on the back as he came level and we shared our journeys of where we’d been and who we’d seen since we last met. His pace was faster than mine and it was a struggle to keep up…., with my achilles injuries. But I needed this connection.. ….. Right now I needed it.
So I quickened my pace for 15 minutes or so whilst we chatted and then bid him farewell, expecting to see him down the track at some stage. I did, about 2 weeks later……
I paused for a moment as he ‘took off’ down the track with effortless long strides……
What the heck had just happened!!!!!
In a time of need I had asked for guidance. And in the space of 5 minutes, I was given a sign. One…..Two…..Three!
Amazing things can happen on the Camino………
I was all set to go home once I reached Leon............
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