Mad Rush
Joe and I have already made a pact that we will NOT get caught up in the Mad Rush you describe on our Camino starting September.
We have loosely planned our trip, going so far as to identify those towns/cities where we believe we'd like to spend more than one night. Other than that, we've allowed 2 extra weeks at the end to account for "whatever" might inspire us. If we finish early, we'll simply drop into Portugal as tourists, or maybe we'll even walk.
We're carrying lightweight sleeping bags, lightweight pads, and a small bag of dried fruit/nuts just in case we don't get beds, so there's no stress to make it to the next refugio.
If we have to sleep outdoors, so what?
If we don't get a shower one night... so what?
If we don't eat one day, so what?
We'll fast and pray and eat a feast next day.
More than anything, I want to experience the peace and quiet and slower pace of this pilgrimage.I want to pay attention to sights and sounds and smells and feelings that get lost in the Mad Rush of modern life in the United States. I want to hear frogs and birds and rippling water and wind through the trees. I want to smell the heat off of the berry bushes, the cool air when you cross a river, and good strong Spanish cafe! I want to see nature, history, and how other people live. I want to meet pilgrims from other countries, kindred spirits, and adventurers. I hope to hear Gregorian chant and to practice my Spanish.
I'm hoping NOT to have to hear a lot of traffic, radios, television, Bush war drums, or cell phones ringing.
And for those 4 am, bag-shuffling, loud whispering, unthoughtful, self-centered waker-upers.... I'm bringing a slingshot!
:::cackling maniacally as she runs down the halls:::: :twisted: