CalSue
New Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Beginning of CF (2016)
My daughter and I returned from walking the beginning of the Camino Frances from St-Jean-Pied-de-Port a short time ago, and I am still gathering my thoughts about the experience. As some of you know, I have a progressive neurodegenerative disease that limits me, but we still managed to average 8-9 miles per day, including over the Pyrenees. With the exception of the end of Day 6, when my symptoms almost ended our Camino, I did better than we could even hope. I hold so many moments and images in my heart, and will always be grateful.
One of the highlights was Alto de Perdon, where we encountered the amazing woman at the snack truck. She almost immediately recognized I have a medical issue, saying she could see it in my eyes (unlike at home, my poles for balance weren't signs). After noting how wonderful it was to walk the Camino with my daughter, she waved her off to the side so she could talk to me privately. I speak very little Spanish, but we still managed to communicate. My watching daughter later told me she felt she was witnessing something truly special, and she took a photo of the woman cradling my face in her hands as she leaned over the snacks. We were sad to leave, but some other walkers arrived and we continued on our way, carefully navigating the steep rocky decline while occasionally looking back to the truck on the ridge.
That night, we had a room in the Hostal Camino del Perdon in Uterga, which we highly recommend. Once again, we had an unexpected Camino moment. A woman from Australia sitting opposite me at dinner asked what my neurological condition was. Few have heard of Multiple System Atrophy (MSA), but when I told her, she paused and said her sister-in-law had recently died of the rare disease. She then asked who was going to take care of me, a question no one has ever posed. The next day, she left earlier than we did, but she sought us out before doing so and gave me a written message of support.
My daughter and I walked with two others we had dined with the night before, a young man from Canada and a man my age from France. We took the detour to the mysterious and beautiful Eunate, and then walked to Puente la Reina before sadly separating, as I was fading. It was the only day we walked with others, and one we will always remember fondly. While we were happy walking with just each other most of the time, we appreciated briefly having Camino companions, even singing on one stretch...Leonard Cohen's "Suzanne" (a favorite of the French gentleman).
I hope someday we can return to the Camino and have many other special moments. Those of us who have walked even a part of the Camino are so fortunate. Thank you for encouraging me and for guidance. Wishing you joy! Ultreia!
One of the highlights was Alto de Perdon, where we encountered the amazing woman at the snack truck. She almost immediately recognized I have a medical issue, saying she could see it in my eyes (unlike at home, my poles for balance weren't signs). After noting how wonderful it was to walk the Camino with my daughter, she waved her off to the side so she could talk to me privately. I speak very little Spanish, but we still managed to communicate. My watching daughter later told me she felt she was witnessing something truly special, and she took a photo of the woman cradling my face in her hands as she leaned over the snacks. We were sad to leave, but some other walkers arrived and we continued on our way, carefully navigating the steep rocky decline while occasionally looking back to the truck on the ridge.
That night, we had a room in the Hostal Camino del Perdon in Uterga, which we highly recommend. Once again, we had an unexpected Camino moment. A woman from Australia sitting opposite me at dinner asked what my neurological condition was. Few have heard of Multiple System Atrophy (MSA), but when I told her, she paused and said her sister-in-law had recently died of the rare disease. She then asked who was going to take care of me, a question no one has ever posed. The next day, she left earlier than we did, but she sought us out before doing so and gave me a written message of support.
My daughter and I walked with two others we had dined with the night before, a young man from Canada and a man my age from France. We took the detour to the mysterious and beautiful Eunate, and then walked to Puente la Reina before sadly separating, as I was fading. It was the only day we walked with others, and one we will always remember fondly. While we were happy walking with just each other most of the time, we appreciated briefly having Camino companions, even singing on one stretch...Leonard Cohen's "Suzanne" (a favorite of the French gentleman).
I hope someday we can return to the Camino and have many other special moments. Those of us who have walked even a part of the Camino are so fortunate. Thank you for encouraging me and for guidance. Wishing you joy! Ultreia!
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