- Time of past OR future Camino
- Camino Frances, (2013)
Camino Frances, (2014)
Camino Frances, (2015)
When I walked my first Camino, I set out with a change of clothes, some rain gear, a jacket, and toiletries in my backpack. I had a cell phone, but no Euroean chip. Communication would be strictly WiFi. Like most, my emotions bounced back and forth from “how cool is is?” to “this is without question the dumbest thing you’ve ever done.”
But as each day passed I knew I had made the right decision. Going minimalist and carrying my own backpack was teaching me a valuable lesson. I was happy. In fact, very happy. Yet I had few material possessions around me. And being disconnected from the internet was such a blessing.
Sadly, returning to work caused many of those Camino lessons to fade. So I did two more Caminos as “booster shots.” But again the effects wore off as the dailey grind of life took its toll.
Now, as I approach retirement, I’m giving a lot of thought to what is next. Specifically, what can I do in retirement that will give me the same feeling of joy and happiness that I have found on the Camino.
Well, I just booked tickets to Zimbabwe where I am going to volunteer in an orphanage for three weeks to determine if that sort of thing is going to be my retirement. And I am convinced that I never would have taken the step of volunteering in a place without amenities normally associated with life here in the United States without my Camino experiences.
So my Camino through life starts a new three week path in June.
But as each day passed I knew I had made the right decision. Going minimalist and carrying my own backpack was teaching me a valuable lesson. I was happy. In fact, very happy. Yet I had few material possessions around me. And being disconnected from the internet was such a blessing.
Sadly, returning to work caused many of those Camino lessons to fade. So I did two more Caminos as “booster shots.” But again the effects wore off as the dailey grind of life took its toll.
Now, as I approach retirement, I’m giving a lot of thought to what is next. Specifically, what can I do in retirement that will give me the same feeling of joy and happiness that I have found on the Camino.
Well, I just booked tickets to Zimbabwe where I am going to volunteer in an orphanage for three weeks to determine if that sort of thing is going to be my retirement. And I am convinced that I never would have taken the step of volunteering in a place without amenities normally associated with life here in the United States without my Camino experiences.
So my Camino through life starts a new three week path in June.