- Time of past OR future Camino
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I didn't collect email addresses along the Way and have received only one from another pilgrim since my return a year ago. But all the people I met will be with me always, on the Camino. Part of being present and letting go.In peace and quiet up here in the Arctic, as darkness is about to engulf us for the coming winter, and the first snow has already fallen, I, as an experienced pilgrim, write this, mostly for all the good people who are about to embark onto their first Camino, for whatever reason. But a warning: You may set out with one reason for doing the Camino, but you will most likely complete the Camino for a completely different reason... You have an adventure of your life ahead of you.
I hope you have many real life friends: I have a few - not many. My choice. Today, I find that many people close to me are still obsessed with values that I once shared. Values that are not lasting... But now, after my first Camino in 2009, I have a different focus. It will, hopefully, be the same for you. I wish that for you, and salute you.
Do you have many Camino friends? I feel I have.
Isn't it strange? You can sometimes resonate more with people you have never met or seen, from the other side of the world, literally, than with people close to you physically. At least, that is how I feel sometimes. Why is it so?
We share a common experience: The Camino. It truly is a crazy experience and journey into insight, if you allow it. For most/all newbies, rest assured: At the end of your Camino, you will come out as a different person. Perhaps that is why we who have walked can resonate and interact so closely together; well, as least that's what I feel. We share common experience and knowledge harvested.
With some in here, I can feel almost a physical bond to that person, although I have never met him/her. Strange. I am quite sure (self-confident...) that it goes the other way around too. At least I hope so. I call these persons my Camino friends. They understand, because inside, we share something great/strange: Our struggle and our renewed thoughts by walking the Camino. I salute you, my Camino forum friends.
And I actually believe that these persons know who they are, when they read these reflections. For all the rest: Enjoy this invaluable forum, search, read, learn, and one day, when you have completed your first Camino, and when some of what you found on the Way has sunk in, we may become:
Soul friends
I shall not elaborate. When you know it you know it. Walk first.
I could say a lot more about this, but I choose not to: I'd rather hear your opinion.
Ahh,
PS:
A good friend is someone you'll se standing beside you on a rainy day.
A bad friend is like your shadow: When the sun shines, it is impossible to get rid of him. But on a cloudy day, you will never see him.
DS
Hello Alex: I share your thoughts, opinions and wishes in this post. As I read it, I thought, every word could have been written by myself because I too went to Spain to walk the Camino Frances for a reason only to discover while in Fromista during afternoon prayer that I was there for another reason; one that made me a better person when I returned. I, like you, also have few close friends (my choice as well). The value system that I have now was learned during my time in Spain and for that I am grateful. The Camino, I have often said to those who asked me what it was like, is difficult to put into words because it is something you can feel so strongly in your heart yet be tongue tied when it comes down to defining the experience. The Camino does feel like a magnet to me of like minded people who share a desire for the spiritual (not necessarily the religious) where sharing, learning, and giving is the normal system of values and not the exception of the world I live in. Going back to walk the Camino feels like going home, and who doesn't look forward to that? JohnIn peace and quiet up here in the Arctic, as darkness is about to engulf us for the coming winter, and the first snow has already fallen, I, as an experienced pilgrim, write this, mostly for all the good people who are about to embark onto their first Camino, for whatever reason. But a warning: You may set out with one reason for doing the Camino, but you will most likely complete the Camino for a completely different reason... You have an adventure of your life ahead of you.
I hope you have many real life friends: I have a few - not many. My choice. Today, I find that many people close to me are still obsessed with values that I once shared. Values that are not lasting... But now, after my first Camino in 2009, I have a different focus. It will, hopefully, be the same for you. I wish that for you, and salute you.
Do you have many Camino friends? I feel I have.
Isn't it strange? You can sometimes resonate more with people you have never met or seen, from the other side of the world, literally, than with people close to you physically. At least, that is how I feel sometimes. Why is it so?
We share a common experience: The Camino. It truly is a crazy experience and journey into insight, if you allow it. For most/all newbies, rest assured: At the end of your Camino, you will come out as a different person. Perhaps that is why we who have walked can resonate and interact so closely together; well, as least that's what I feel. We share common experience and knowledge harvested.
With some in here, I can feel almost a physical bond to that person, although I have never met him/her. Strange. I am quite sure (self-confident...) that it goes the other way around too. At least I hope so. I call these persons my Camino friends. They understand, because inside, we share something great/strange: Our struggle and our renewed thoughts by walking the Camino. I salute you, my Camino forum friends.
And I actually believe that these persons know who they are, when they read these reflections. For all the rest: Enjoy this invaluable forum, search, read, learn, and one day, when you have completed your first Camino, and when some of what you found on the Way has sunk in, we may become:
Soul friends
I shall not elaborate. When you know it you know it. Walk first.
I could say a lot more about this, but I choose not to: I'd rather hear your opinion.
Ahh,
PS:
A good friend is someone you'll se standing beside you on a rainy day.
A bad friend is like your shadow: When the sun shines, it is impossible to get rid of him. But on a cloudy day, you will never see him.
DS
So true, Alex. I am a different person since doing my first Camino this summer, more of the person I always wanted to be.We share a common experience: The Camino. It truly is a crazy experience and journey into insight, if you allow it. For most/all newbies, rest assured: At the end of your Camino, you will come out as a different person. Perhaps that is why we who have walked can resonate and interact so closely together; well, as least that's what I feel. We share common experience and knowledge harvested.
I have always loved the term, "Anam Cara" and had forgotten it though at one time I used it as my screen name. Thank you for reminding me...Should such a deep bond be formed, it is said you have found your Anam Cara or soul friend/friends."
This is one of my favorite after affects of the Camino.I find I don't have the same need for material things either, I still might like them but I know that I don't need them.
Ditto.After reading everything that has been said so far, I just want to thank you all for expressing how I also feel about what happens on the Camino. Buen Camino
Wow, EF, that's wonderful to hear. Some of my Camino friends and I are talking about doing the Norte together next summer; it's inspiring that someone is actually reuniting on a camino! Buen Camino! (P.S. My mom did several days of the Francigena in the spring and said it was one of the most spiritual experiences she had ever had.)I leave for my 4th Camino tomorrow coming from Canada where the temp is also promising another winter season. This year it's the Via Francigena from northern Italy to Rome along with 3 Camino friends that I have just met over the last 3 years but share the Camino brotherhood.
I love hearing that.I met my soulmate at the Camino. Much more than any friend or lover can be.
Al, I've really enjoyed reading about your experiences here on the forum.Because of the Camino I met me and big G again along with all you guys.
I loved the simplicity of carrying only what I we needed. I definitely became more authentic. Thank you for expressing it so nicely.The only way I can really understand it is to believe that being stripped down to nothing but a backpack and the clothes we wear we're able to be more authentic to ourselves and others, which in turn creates a closeness we don't usually find in our daily lives.
Do you have many Camino friends? I feel I have.
We share a common experience: The Camino. It truly is a crazy experience and journey into insight, if you allow it. For most/all newbies, rest assured: At the end of your Camino, you will come out as a different person.
I shall not elaborate. When you know it you know it. Walk first.
DS
This feels very true for meGoing back to walk the Camino feels like going home, and who doesn't look forward to that?
This year it's the Via Francigena from northern Italy to Rome along with 3 Camino friends that I have just met over the last 3 years but share the Camino brotherhood. Take care .... friend!
Enjoy! Last year, I was in a small, beautiful town called Monte Fiascone in Italy, touring Italy by car as mere tourists, without any thoughts for the Camino, and saw a girl with a large backpack walking past us (me & girlfrind), and I said to my girlfriend: "What the heck: Looks like a pilgrim! In Italy!" Then we went up to the church at the top of the hill and found out that we were spot on an important place of the Camino Francigena!!! WOW! But OK: I'm off-topic... I, who started the topic...
Bene Camino!
These things are not coincidences; they are omens. The Camino is calling us!
In peace and quiet up here in the Arctic, as darkness is about to engulf us for the coming winter, and the first snow has already fallen, I, as an experienced pilgrim, write this, mostly for all the good people who are about to embark onto their first Camino, for whatever reason. But a warning: You may set out with one reason for doing the Camino, but you will most likely complete the Camino for a completely different reason... You have an adventure of your life ahead of you.
Such wonderful words Alex Walker....thankyou.
Ahh,
PS:
A good friend is someone you'll se standing beside you on a rainy day.
A bad friend is like your shadow: When the sun shines, it is impossible to get rid of him. But on a cloudy day, you will never see him.
DS
.. not trying to make you jelly...
kate
Amen Al,Because of the Camino I met me and big G again along with all you guys.
Such a good thread everyone, and such good, true thoughts. Two years after my first Camino I'm still in touch with many I met there, though as time goes on, a bit more sporadically. However, I know that should I end up in their country, or they in mine, that the bond would be reestablished quickly, as though no time had elapsed. Such was the magic/blessing of the Camino. The only way I can really understand it is to believe that being stripped down to nothing but a backpack and the clothes we wear we're able to be more authentic to ourselves and others, which in turn creates a closeness we don't usually find in our daily lives. Now if I could just get better with applying that "stripping down" mentality to the material things in my life. Truly less is more, but it sure is a struggle sometimes.
An absolute joy to watch Alex....thankyou for sharing with us once again....a Camino Hug from Hot Western Australia.Will wake up this post with some whale frenzy, shot a few days ago, seen as a skipper with tourists up here in the darkness. Enjoy. And as said earlier: With my warm heart for all you peregrinos/peregrinas out there, who have good hearts:
Also some northern Lights shots:
https://www.facebook.com/havcruise
Will wake up this post with some whale frenzy, shot a few days ago, seen as a skipper with tourists up here in the darkness. Enjoy. And as said earlier: With my warm heart for all you peregrinos/peregrinas out there, who have good hearts:
Also some northern Lights shots:
https://www.facebook.com/havcruise
Glad to hear: Also check out the link to Northern Lights. Even as "natives", we never cease to be amazed by the lights, winter landscape, faint daylight, whale frenzy and fishing abundance up here in the Arctic.Thanks Alex peregrina b and me really enjoyed watching your video in fact we watched it twice thank you for posting.
Glad to hear: Also check out the link to Northern Lights. Even as "natives", we never cease to be amazed by the lights, winter landscape, faint daylight, whale frenzy and fishing abundance up here in the Arctic.
We are at the end of 2 months of no sun up here. We have a saying: Be careful when you invite a woman home to stay overnight: You risk having her in the house for 2 months...
But I realise we are way off topic, and it is my fault. All the worse since I was the one who started this thread... Sorry; I just wanted to share.
They always do. It is very expensive too...Don't worry Alex …….. I mean about been way off topic! the woman staying overnight might cause a big problem!
Wayfarer: Iceland is too far south (!). Many tourist organizers have kicked out Iceland because of that. There are cheap direct flights from Gatwick to my town, which is now the centre in the world for Northern Lights, whales, etc.Jane and I went to Iceland, the country not the supermarket,, a few years ago in hopes of seeing the Northern lights but they did not oblidge, that said it was a wonderful trip and the country was stunning.
Wayfarer: Iceland is too far south (!). Many tourist organizers have kicked out Iceland because of that. There are cheap direct flights from Gatwick to my town, which is now the centre in the world for Northern Lights, whales, etc.
Education: The Northern Light belt is on latitudes between 65-73 degrees north, around the globe. Tromso is on latitude 69.40. You do the math. Perfect for seeing the lights. But the Sun must cooperate with solar explosions.
Reykjavik on Iceland is on latitude 64 North: A bit outside (south of!) the Northern Light belt. But people believe that the name Iceland will give them the experience. Seldom true.
And again: I am sickly off-topic... Sorry.
www.norwegian.com
I met a wonderful couple from Tromso on my Camino last year,Tromso is therefore on my bucket list.
Beautiful words, John (The name of my son, actually). Thanks. You see, there's a saying, which many pilgrims can testify to:
The Camino will give you what you need, not what you want.
The Camino is a strong teacher for those who listen to it: You obviously did, and you obviously got it.
And yes, I prefer spiritual to religious as a description/explanation.
I went to Tromso in winter of 2013 specifically to see the "lights". Unfortunately they did not oblige on that occasion, however I enjoyed the visit very much. Went out on a boat (with a very large dog as first mate), and went dog sledding. Buen Camino.Education: The Northern Light belt is on latitudes between 65-73 degrees north, around the globe. Tromso is on latitude 69.40. You do the math. Perfect for seeing the lights. But the Sun must cooperate with solar explosions.
The dog (named Pondus) is dead now, unfortunately (Cancer; old dog). I am the spare/second captain on that boat, and also serve as a reserve cook and guide. Hope to see you on board another time.I went to Tromso in winter of 2013 specifically to see the "lights". Unfortunately they did not oblige on that occasion, however I enjoyed the visit very much. Went out on a boat (with a very large dog as first mate), and went dog sledding. Buen Camino.
The dog is dead now, unfortunately (Cancer; old dog). I am the spare/second captain, and also serve as a reserve cook and guide. Hope to see you on board another time.
In peace and quiet up here in the Arctic, as darkness is about to engulf us for the coming winter, and the first snow has already fallen, I, as an experienced pilgrim, write this, mostly for all the good people who are about to embark onto their first Camino, for whatever reason. But a warning: You may set out with one reason for doing the Camino, but you will most likely complete the Camino for a completely different reason... You have an adventure of your life ahead of you.
I hope you have many real life friends: I have a few - not many. My choice. Today, I find that many people close to me are still obsessed with values that I once shared. Values that are not lasting... But now, after my first Camino in 2009, I have a different focus. It will, hopefully, be the same for you. I wish that for you, and salute you.
Do you have many Camino friends? I feel I have.
Isn't it strange? You can sometimes resonate more with people you have never met or seen, from the other side of the world, literally, than with people close to you physically. At least, that is how I feel sometimes. Why is it so?
We share a common experience: The Camino. It truly is a crazy experience and journey into insight, if you allow it. For most/all newbies, rest assured: At the end of your Camino, you will come out as a different person. Perhaps that is why we who have walked can resonate and interact so closely together; well, as least that's what I feel. We share common experience and knowledge harvested.
With some in here, I can feel almost a physical bond to that person, although I have never met him/her. Strange. I am quite sure (self-confident...) that it goes the other way around too. At least I hope so. I call these persons my Camino friends. They understand, because inside, we share something great/strange: Our struggle and our renewed thoughts by walking the Camino. I salute you, my Camino forum friends.
And I actually believe that these persons know who they are, when they read these reflections. For all the rest: Enjoy this invaluable forum, search, read, learn, and one day, when you have completed your first Camino, and when some of what you found on the Way has sunk in, we may become:
Soul friends
I shall not elaborate. When you know it you know it. Walk first.
I could say a lot more about this, but I choose not to: I'd rather hear your opinion.
Ahh,
PS:
A good friend is someone you'll se standing beside you on a rainy day.
A bad friend is like your shadow: When the sun shines, it is impossible to get rid of him. But on a cloudy day, you will never see him.
DS
@alexwalker , before I had walked the CF I considered you a special advisor and friend, and now even more so.
I would say that this wonderful forum--this odd island of sanity in the midst of Facebook, Twitter, and all the nonsense that social media has become--encourages and supports many people of like minds. Some of these become soul --solid--friends. We hardly even bother commenting to some of the nonsense. We see it for what it is, and move to the good thread. By the way, this is one of those.
It is slightly annoying when people try to "commercialize" the forum and get attention for their blogs. It is also annoying when folks run out a fishing line and troll for nonsense. Not into that stuff, especially now. Time and attention are of the essence.
It does, however, make me smile when I see the kind comment, the sardonic nip at the heels of a Camino pup, the friendly banter between friends who have clearly been communicating her for a long, long time.
Imaging the Arctic, Scotland, Australia, England, Wales, and Arizona--as backdrops and homes for you as you journey through life--is part of the exciting experience of the forum. The Arctic! It makes me want to know more about what it's like there. The idea of the descent into darkness, while I am--here in the Pacific NW--simply engulfed in rain, rain, and more rain is fascinating.
Since this thread has been resurrected I'll give an update and example of why I still feel these connections we make on the Camino are so strong. This past June when my Camino had ended, I went to Barcelona to spend a week with a friend I had made on my 2012 Camino. In my memory we had spent countless days walking together. In reality, as he pointed out, we had only walked together two days. Yet when we got together in Barcelona, it was like two best friends getting together, picking up where we had left off. While there, I was trying to arrange a volunteer stint, but hadn't heard back from anyone. I wasn't sure what to do, but then received a message from a girl I had met on the 2012 Camino inviting me to visit Germany and offering a place to stay. Again, a few days of walking, talking and sharing had created a tighter bond than I could have imagined at the time. The craziest thing that happened was in Muxia. As my sister and I walked into a bar a young woman was walking out. I looked at her and asked if she was from England. She said yes, why do you look so familiar? I told her it's because we had dinner together on the Frances on the previous Camino. In fact, she was in a group photo taken in Ages (one of my favorites of the trip). Amazingly she remembered who I was traveling with and where we had dined together. We spent the next three hours drinking wine and sharing stories. Connections like this don't happen at home, in our "normal" lives. There is something about the shared experience, whether good or bad, rain, sun, wind or cold, that brings us into something deeper. That's the thing that I miss most about the Camino and the thing that draws me back.
You will, unless you try really, really hard not to.Amazing, I hope I get to make wonderful connections like that on my Camino.
One of my favourite places too. Last year as we walked into Ages Marie Anne was taking the sun outside her albergue (the first one on entering - San Raphael) with some pilgrims. A moment impossible to forget as she greeted me with a shout of "Allan", warm smile, hugs and kisses. I had first met her when I stayed on my birthday in 3 years ago and had not seen her since. At that time I was walking in memory of my still born grandson Jakob and she was mourning the lost of a niece. It was that memory is what caused her tears. Such moments are part of what is so special about the Camino. It is not just pilgrims who enter into our lives and into whose lives we enter....in Ages (one of my favorites of the trip).
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