We completed our Camino walking for it 29 days during the month of May. How to sum up the experience is what I struggle with. Just prior to leaving I started to get cold feet thinking I was taking on more than I could handle but it turned out to be an amazing experience that was both communal and personal.
Our group of six started from SJPP encountering so many wonderful people along the way. That we remember, we met people from 28 different countries. My husband, an Olympic athlete, said it was like the atmosphere of the Olympic Village. We were interacting with people ages 20 - 80 who all had the same goal. We were in tears when, the day after we arrived at Santiago, a women arrived who had walked it with the aid of her crutches. She was in the Cathedral square crying with joy, crutches waving in the air. We had no idea where she started from but she completed her goal and was celebrating. In our hearts we were celebrating with her.
We had our struggles along the way with shin splints, leg rashes, sore hips, blisters, over-tiredness, etc. but other than walking a bit slower and shortening up a couple days we were able to keep going at a really good pace. We had no other choice because of our time limitations. It helped that my husband is a physical therapist so he knew how to care for most of our aches and pains and we had lots of first aid supplies with us. (Walking flat footed if you have shin splints really helped especially when going down hill.)
We enjoyed the pilgrim dinners and ate well to maintain our energy levels. We had Marmot rain gear and strong pack covers that kept us dry in one of the rainiest months I have ever experienced. (We returned home to Iowa (USA) only to experience more rain and flooding.)
The rain and cold reinforced that we were on a spiritual pilgrimage and not on a vacation. We prayed our way across Spain and encountered many people that joined us in saying the rosary in their own languages or just simply showed us their rosary as we passed each other. We were able to attend Mass about 20 of the 29 days which meant a lot to us who normally attend daily Mass at home.
Upon our return we were grateful for things like clothes washers & dryers, warm, private showers and toilets with toilet paper and toilet seats but along the way their absence was just part of the experience.
I loved walking through the little town some with their very clean streets and some covered with cow manure.
Most people were so friendly and always willing to point the way. One woman even gave us a loaf of bread from her home when she saw us leave a closed bakery empty handed.
We had laughs about the difference in or lack of a modesty code for most Europeans. I am sure they think we are prudish but we had our laughs like the first time I walked into a co-ed bathroom that had the urinals next to the sink where I was to brush my teeth. We were also so happy to have separate bathrooms.
We loved the priest who ushered us into his church and began to sing a familiar song but in Spanish. He was so happy when we joined him in song that he proceeded to enthusiastically name all the saints that were represented by statues in his church. I think that we encouraged him as he did us.
I guess I could go on an on but I hope your get a feel of our Camino. You can see some pictures and more notes by visiting our blog. We will be uploading more pictures over the next few weeks as time permits.
http://www.elcamino.norsketech.com/ecblog/ecblog.html
Blessings to all ........ Ruth
