- Time of past OR future Camino
- Camino Frances (2013)
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See my reply to post on 29 Jan re first timers nerves.
- We are all urged to get out there and let the Camino work its magic. I imagine that that magic is different for each of us. But how different and in what way? A lot of this magic may be personal and too close to the heart to be shared on a public Forum and I fully appreciate that. I am thinking of the little moments, the little interludes, the little interactions with other peregrinos and non-peregrinos that made us smile, that warmed our hearts, caused us to shift our focus, or recalibrate our thinking. Would anyone like to share?
I had the same thing happen in Rabanal. My landlady ran up the street after me with my gloves in her hand. The following morning it was about 5 degrees C!It was just after noon and I was going down the hill heading out of SJPP, at the very start of my Camino (and feeling quite fragile emotionally) when I heard someone calling out behind me. I turned around and saw the proprietress of the cafe where I had had breakfast earlier in the day running towards me. In her hands were my poles which, until then I had not realized I had left in her cafe. She said she had been looking out for me and hoping that I had not already set off. Such kindness ..... and I had barely begun my Camino. It still brings tears to my eyes.
I don't even remember where we were, (around Galicia) but we stayed in a wonderful albergue that was so clean, and it looked like it was out of a fairy tale. The staff served us this fabulous dinner of roasted pimentos and vegetables in the most colorful pots. Around the table was a couple from Switzerland, a gal from Normandy, a teacher from Vancouver, Canada, three women from Italy, a gal from Germany, a man from Madrid, a man from Paris, and us, two women from the U.S. Everyone spoke at least two languages, so each person could communicate with someone else. The absolute best of magical evenings! What a wonderful world!
- We are all urged to get out there and let the Camino work its magic. I imagine that that magic is different for each of us. But how different and in what way? A lot of this magic may be personal and too close to the heart to be shared on a public Forum and I fully appreciate that. I am thinking of the little moments, the little interludes, the little interactions with other peregrinos and non-peregrinos that made us smile, that warmed our hearts, caused us to shift our focus, or recalibrate our thinking. Would anyone like to share?
- We are all urged to get out there and let the Camino work its magic. I imagine that that magic is different for each of us. But how different and in what way? A lot of this magic may be personal and too close to the heart to be shared on a public Forum and I fully appreciate that. I am thinking of the little moments, the little interludes, the little interactions with other peregrinos and non-peregrinos that made us smile, that warmed our hearts, caused us to shift our focus, or recalibrate our thinking. Would anyone like to share?
Walking out of Pamplona in 2013, were I had a poor accommodation experience, I met a group of young school kids on a field trip with their teachers. There greetings were spontaneous and delightful, each wanted to know what country we came from and wished us well. This was a most wonderful experience as this kids were very genuine.
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Could that have been the Casa Banderas in Vilachá, which is just a couple of km before Portomarín? The description and menu sound very much like what we experienced there. The hospitalero was a South African named Gordon Bell, who was a dead ringer (no pun intended) for the late actor Robin Williams. It was one of our favorites.I don't even remember where we were, (around Galicia) but we stayed in a wonderful albergue that was so clean, and it looked like it was out of a fairy tale. The staff served us this fabulous dinner of roasted pimentos and vegetables in the most colorful pots. Around the table was a couple from Switzerland, a gal from Normandy, a teacher from Vancouver, Canada, three women from Italy, a gal from Germany, a man from Madrid, a man from Paris, and us, two women from the U.S. Everyone spoke at least two languages, so each person could communicate with someone else. The absolute best of magical evenings! What a wonderful world!
Me too Annelise just like you describe and I was so happy I wept for joy wonderful . We need that experience a little more often in our lives but that's not to say I wasn't grateful for it just that one or two moments. Thank you for reminding me of it !My totally magic moment occurred on the walk from Villafranca Montes de Oca to St. Juan de Ortega – a beautiful stretch – lots of ups and down – beautiful surroundings.
At one time during the walk, I sat down to take a rest, watched all the tiny brightly blue butterflies flittering around me.
Then suddenly fell into a state of feeling total happiness. – Feeling that I was so deeply into being happy. No reflections other than this happiness in this exact moment.
How often does this occur? – Sadly never felt it since.
annelise
My first Camino was filled of magic moments, but one that I today find to be one of the finest was the moment when I realized I had no thoughts …
WWWWOOOOWWWW!!!!I completed my first Camino in 2008. Like most pilgrims I experienced a deluge of life changing experiences like after the first day on the Napoleon Route. Arriving in Roncesvalles having crossed into Spain without incident. At that precise moment approaching the stream just before the village I realized that I was capable of anything. There was so much doubt about my physical ability to endure the rigors of an 850 k pilgrimage. I could feel the weight of that anxiety rise out of me and that afternoon I felt I could conquer the world.
That was a special moment but the moment of most magic for me was the following year on my second CF.
We have all experienced the phenomena of the Camino family. In 2008 I was no different and for the 33 days of my Camino I made friendships that continue to this day. As I entered Puente la Reina in 2009 I was tired and looking forward to a good rest at the albergue. I showered and visited the church and headed back for a pre dinner nap.
As I approaced the albergue I thought I saw a familiar face but shook it off as a mirage. As I got closer I realized that there was more than 1 familiar face. Four friends from my first Camino were sitting on the car park rail waiting for me. One had come from Madrid, one from Belgium and 2 from Barcelona to meet me. I had told one of them of my 2nd camino plans and they conspired to ambush me!
I was a puddle! I don't think that there is a word or phrase that could describe the joy I experienced that evening over dinner and into the wee hours of the night as we remenisced and caught up. It remains to this day second only to the birth of my children as the highlight of not just my caminos but of my life.
So a huge thank you to Patrick, Mercedes, Amparo and Rosa! I think of you and that moment often.
Not you MarkGetting so pissed in Pamplona one night I could only find my way back to my albergue by following the scallops on the street, in the opposite direction (my albergue was located very near to the entrance to Pamplona, and had no curfew)
Al, I might be able to top that after I had dinner with Jenny H in Rabanal and later shared the Sunday Mass with her in SdC when the Botafumeiro swung twice and later enjoyed pulpo with Jenny, ChilledKat and AJ.Maybe having the pilgrim sitting in the pew in front of me in the Cathedral turning around and asking if I was AlTheOptimist! Yes, I remember that HealthyToo!
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