Storyteller Matt
Storyteller Matt
- Time of past OR future Camino
- 2021
I am day 2 on the Camino. Started in Sarria. Right now in an albergue in Ventas de Narón. Can't sleep. 1:30 am.
I don't know what I'm feeling at the moment. This is one of the hardest things I have ever done. The film The Way, and all the talk of spiritual connection on the Camino, do romanticize the experience. But it is bloody hard work.
I have had my moments, of course. And there are times when the exhaustion and pain bring me closer to the Spirit of the Universe (as I understand it). Other times, the pain makes me stop and shout aloud to no one, "This is the worst idea I've ever had."
The worst part of this journey is that I feel alone. I haven't bonded with anyone yet, and both nights so far, the pilgrims haved "cliqued up" and I'm kind of left out. This is odd because I am a social creature in the "real" world, able to assimilate into any group. The Camino has brought out different aspects of my personality.
All this time, I have walked alone. Other pilgrims are faster or slower than I want to go. I am okay with this. I talk to the Camino, my late father (whom I walk to honor), the beloved cat that I lost this summer, the Higher Power of my understanding. I don't really feel their presence, but I talk to them.
I will finish my modest 114 km to Santiago. I will earn my Compostela, although that seems less important to me now. I will press on, and I will finish. I'm not sure why I'm doing this now. I'm not sure why I started. But I'm here, and as the AA Big Book says, more will be revealed to us later.
PS: The Wise Pilgrim Guide, sold on this site, has been a lifesaver. There you go, Ivar. Free promotion!
I don't know what I'm feeling at the moment. This is one of the hardest things I have ever done. The film The Way, and all the talk of spiritual connection on the Camino, do romanticize the experience. But it is bloody hard work.
I have had my moments, of course. And there are times when the exhaustion and pain bring me closer to the Spirit of the Universe (as I understand it). Other times, the pain makes me stop and shout aloud to no one, "This is the worst idea I've ever had."
The worst part of this journey is that I feel alone. I haven't bonded with anyone yet, and both nights so far, the pilgrims haved "cliqued up" and I'm kind of left out. This is odd because I am a social creature in the "real" world, able to assimilate into any group. The Camino has brought out different aspects of my personality.
All this time, I have walked alone. Other pilgrims are faster or slower than I want to go. I am okay with this. I talk to the Camino, my late father (whom I walk to honor), the beloved cat that I lost this summer, the Higher Power of my understanding. I don't really feel their presence, but I talk to them.
I will finish my modest 114 km to Santiago. I will earn my Compostela, although that seems less important to me now. I will press on, and I will finish. I'm not sure why I'm doing this now. I'm not sure why I started. But I'm here, and as the AA Big Book says, more will be revealed to us later.
PS: The Wise Pilgrim Guide, sold on this site, has been a lifesaver. There you go, Ivar. Free promotion!