- Time of past OR future Camino
- Frances SJPP to SdC Oct/Nov 2015
Frances Burgos toSdC March/April 2016
W. Highland Way August 2016
Camino Somewhere September 2017
Seeing that @Anniesantiago got her airline ticket just sent me OVER THE EDGE! So, I have done it....I have purchased a ticket for my next Camino!
August 30th 2016, I fly into Pamplona.
October 4th (or 5th), I fly back to Oregon from Santiago!
I was so happy to go on my Camino from 28 September to flying back on 14 November of this year, and I am still processing through my trip. Here are some things I have noticed:
1. I am more patient upon return. I think I walked the anger right out, and I am more tolerant of people. I can love them as they are, and then just walk away. No sense trying to pander to people who won't like you, and it's best to just be with the ones who love you.
2. I loved being outside, rain, shine, or what have you. The scenery floated by me in slow motion, or did I float past it? I have the images on my computer, and in my mind. I see so many moments if I just give myself a moment--that last kilometer before Roncesvalles, and how the trail was flattening, and I had a sense of arrival, and my clothing was so soaking wet, but it was okay, because I was okay.
3. The people were wonderful to me. On a few occasions, there was the odd one out, but that was so rare. People were gracious. I loved speaking Spanish, and improving on my Spanish. One time, in Santiago, this odd little guy from Michigan tried to walk out of a restaurant without paying, and the waiter, who I'd just taught to say, "Hey Cowboy..." in English (instead of Caballero, which he called his friends), shouted, HEY, COWBOY! and got the Michigander to turn around, ha ha!
4. The food was good, generally fresh and plentiful. Water was good. I never got ill! I was an adventurous eater, and one of my best experiences was walking into a bar, sitting down, and asking the proprietor to choose what I would eat. I told him to give me three tapas that he thought I should try, and one glass of one that he recommended. I told him that price didn't matter, that I just wanted to learn.
After three tapas and a nice, big glass of wine, the charge? 5 euros. He smiled and winked, and thanked me for my interest in Spain.
5. I learned. I learned a lot about my survival, and how to help others stay healthy. I was able to help others with their maladies, and often could get them through until they reached the pharmacy. And no, I did not mind sharing my goods. When I met a young Australian guy during my last stretch --around Villafranca--I sat down and went through my kit, and gave him my compeed etc. He needed it. I didn't. Nor did I through the last few hundred kilometers. I knew what I needed, and shared what I was carrying.
6. Honesty was fine. If I got tired of being alone, I could tell someone and we'd hang out. If they wanted to move on, they did. We parted friends. If I wanted to move on, I did. We parted friends. There was never any issue with drama. It was a Camino full of mature and kind people, except for...
7. The occasional alarm setter. Okay. Now the leopard is showing a few spots! I had a serious conversation with a young man who let his i phone alarm go off three times...at half five, at six, at half six. Not just a little bell, but the ONG ONG ONG noise of an emergency. Full volume, at the pleasant albuerge in El Ganso. Come on, lad! It's not about "I"---it's about "we" here, and "we" didn't need that! Again, honesty.
So, what will lovely Spain have to teach me in 2016? It doesn't matter. I will be open to it, and again thank all of you who have helped me to learn of this wonderful walk.
August 30th 2016, I fly into Pamplona.
October 4th (or 5th), I fly back to Oregon from Santiago!
I was so happy to go on my Camino from 28 September to flying back on 14 November of this year, and I am still processing through my trip. Here are some things I have noticed:
1. I am more patient upon return. I think I walked the anger right out, and I am more tolerant of people. I can love them as they are, and then just walk away. No sense trying to pander to people who won't like you, and it's best to just be with the ones who love you.
2. I loved being outside, rain, shine, or what have you. The scenery floated by me in slow motion, or did I float past it? I have the images on my computer, and in my mind. I see so many moments if I just give myself a moment--that last kilometer before Roncesvalles, and how the trail was flattening, and I had a sense of arrival, and my clothing was so soaking wet, but it was okay, because I was okay.
3. The people were wonderful to me. On a few occasions, there was the odd one out, but that was so rare. People were gracious. I loved speaking Spanish, and improving on my Spanish. One time, in Santiago, this odd little guy from Michigan tried to walk out of a restaurant without paying, and the waiter, who I'd just taught to say, "Hey Cowboy..." in English (instead of Caballero, which he called his friends), shouted, HEY, COWBOY! and got the Michigander to turn around, ha ha!
4. The food was good, generally fresh and plentiful. Water was good. I never got ill! I was an adventurous eater, and one of my best experiences was walking into a bar, sitting down, and asking the proprietor to choose what I would eat. I told him to give me three tapas that he thought I should try, and one glass of one that he recommended. I told him that price didn't matter, that I just wanted to learn.
After three tapas and a nice, big glass of wine, the charge? 5 euros. He smiled and winked, and thanked me for my interest in Spain.
5. I learned. I learned a lot about my survival, and how to help others stay healthy. I was able to help others with their maladies, and often could get them through until they reached the pharmacy. And no, I did not mind sharing my goods. When I met a young Australian guy during my last stretch --around Villafranca--I sat down and went through my kit, and gave him my compeed etc. He needed it. I didn't. Nor did I through the last few hundred kilometers. I knew what I needed, and shared what I was carrying.
6. Honesty was fine. If I got tired of being alone, I could tell someone and we'd hang out. If they wanted to move on, they did. We parted friends. If I wanted to move on, I did. We parted friends. There was never any issue with drama. It was a Camino full of mature and kind people, except for...
7. The occasional alarm setter. Okay. Now the leopard is showing a few spots! I had a serious conversation with a young man who let his i phone alarm go off three times...at half five, at six, at half six. Not just a little bell, but the ONG ONG ONG noise of an emergency. Full volume, at the pleasant albuerge in El Ganso. Come on, lad! It's not about "I"---it's about "we" here, and "we" didn't need that! Again, honesty.
So, what will lovely Spain have to teach me in 2016? It doesn't matter. I will be open to it, and again thank all of you who have helped me to learn of this wonderful walk.
