Mark Duda
New Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- (2014)
Written on a return flight to the States after 66 days on the Camino, September 7, 2018. (Without much correction).
My Camino: What was received and given
Two pelligrinas cried for me. One because I was willing to sleep on the ground so that she and her two daughters could take a bed. Another because she was young, in love with a young man, and forgot to leave enough time to say goodbye to her companions on her last day.
A woman brought me into her home when there was no bed to be found for pilgrims. Another, also, a month later. A Spanish pelligrino found us beds in Gijón after we walked the whole city. We only met at dawn in Priesca before Villaviciosa, passing each other while sprawled to rest on several mountainsides.
Countless strangers pointed the way. Some leading to be sure I found the Camino again. I was blessed. I was encouraged. I was cheered many times. I was given food, unasked, by strangers. I was given water. I was asked if I were well, thirsty, tired. I was awakened by concerned pilgrims from a distressed slumber.
People were patient with my language. Sympathized with my plights. Shared the thirst, hunger, pain, fatigue and hardships. Even animals. Some dogs barked. Some came to be petted. Some threatened. Cows looked. Goats, sheep and cats watched. Horses raised their heads.
Feet bled. Bugs bit. Rain soaked. Sun blasted. I thought I would always be thirsty. I thought the climb would never end. My shadow shortened, then grew. It reminds me less of the passage of time, but rather that all things are transient- pain too. Was it the fletcha or the concha that spurred me onward?
What I could give back to the Camino:
I treated other pilgrim’s blistered, bruised and painful feet with soap, betadine, bandages, lotion and advice. I encouraged, taught and cautioned. I treated some with heat stress, one seriously, at least three different times. I shared water, food, shelter, laughter and tears. I joked and told stories. I listened. I distracted and entertained. I repaired a backpack, shared or gave gear. I gave random gifts because they were unexpected (aren’t they always the best)? I helped others stand up, pack up, and load.
We walked together and shared. I witnessed the moment when nothing else could be done and stayed so that a pilgrim would not be alone.
I thanked our hosts. I thanked everyone I could express gratitude to at the right time and the right way. I thank all who make me who am am and hope to give them back a better reward by being the best person I can. And always, I will endeavor to help.
My Camino: What was received and given
Two pelligrinas cried for me. One because I was willing to sleep on the ground so that she and her two daughters could take a bed. Another because she was young, in love with a young man, and forgot to leave enough time to say goodbye to her companions on her last day.
A woman brought me into her home when there was no bed to be found for pilgrims. Another, also, a month later. A Spanish pelligrino found us beds in Gijón after we walked the whole city. We only met at dawn in Priesca before Villaviciosa, passing each other while sprawled to rest on several mountainsides.
Countless strangers pointed the way. Some leading to be sure I found the Camino again. I was blessed. I was encouraged. I was cheered many times. I was given food, unasked, by strangers. I was given water. I was asked if I were well, thirsty, tired. I was awakened by concerned pilgrims from a distressed slumber.
People were patient with my language. Sympathized with my plights. Shared the thirst, hunger, pain, fatigue and hardships. Even animals. Some dogs barked. Some came to be petted. Some threatened. Cows looked. Goats, sheep and cats watched. Horses raised their heads.
Feet bled. Bugs bit. Rain soaked. Sun blasted. I thought I would always be thirsty. I thought the climb would never end. My shadow shortened, then grew. It reminds me less of the passage of time, but rather that all things are transient- pain too. Was it the fletcha or the concha that spurred me onward?
What I could give back to the Camino:
I treated other pilgrim’s blistered, bruised and painful feet with soap, betadine, bandages, lotion and advice. I encouraged, taught and cautioned. I treated some with heat stress, one seriously, at least three different times. I shared water, food, shelter, laughter and tears. I joked and told stories. I listened. I distracted and entertained. I repaired a backpack, shared or gave gear. I gave random gifts because they were unexpected (aren’t they always the best)? I helped others stand up, pack up, and load.
We walked together and shared. I witnessed the moment when nothing else could be done and stayed so that a pilgrim would not be alone.
I thanked our hosts. I thanked everyone I could express gratitude to at the right time and the right way. I thank all who make me who am am and hope to give them back a better reward by being the best person I can. And always, I will endeavor to help.
