- Time of past OR future Camino
- 2017 Camino Frances,
2019 C. Portuguese (inland).
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Totally SUADADE! Bitter sweet. Loss and longing for once was in the life-- but now gone/I don’t have the answer, but when I think of these big questions, I always come to think of the words by the fictional Portuguese philosopher Amadeu do Prado (In the novel “Night Train to Lisbon” by Pascal Mercier):
“When we leave a place we leave something of ourselves behind, we stay there even though we have gone away. And there are things within ourselves which we can only find again by returning to those places. We get closer to ourselves, travel towards ourselves, when we are carried to a place where we have covered a stretch of our lives however brief it may have been.”
I have had the same feeling about other places that I have travelled to, but it has been particularly strong about the Camino – perhaps for some of the reasons mentioned in the posts above. Perhaps it is about travelling towards ourselves in search of things still hidden, still unreleased?
I’ve been trying to understand why the Camino has such a lasting impact. It’s a key I think to understanding other things. What do we learn? What do we see? Why is it such a milestone? What is it about the Camino that has such a big impact and leaves such a lasting impression and, for many of us, a glowing memory and a passionate desire to do it again and again. I think I know some of the answer.
I’ve been trying to understand why the Camino has such a lasting impact. It’s a key I think to understanding other things. What do we learn? What do we see? Why is it such a milestone? What is it about the Camino that has such a big impact and leaves such a lasting impression and, for many of us, a glowing memory and a passionate desire to do it again and again. I think I know some of the answer.
Pilgrims can be split up into three goups, those seeking God, others looking for healing and then those like me pursuing mindfullness in the moment.
As Lisbon is one of my most favorite cities in the world, I could not consider being in Portugal for Caminho without stopping for at least a day or so in Lisbon. I do love all of Portugal, including Porto, and enjoyed the Way from Porto to Santiago.How fortunate you are to have such a plan. Porto to Santiago is a fascinating walk. Very different to Frances. Leave time to explore Porto, if it's your first time. So many good things there to see and people of the city are just right and very hospitable. You and your brother will like it.
A very touching story Ox and what a perfect illustration of what the Camino can be. Long live your friendship. You are both very lucky.Hi Lexico.
9 months later, It is still difficult to explain what is the Camino...
I discovered the Camino in may 2018 when I made the Portugese way with an old friend living in Porto. It was a short 12 days hike, interesting but for me, a little bit “incomplete”. I had the feeling that I needed to walk several months, that strange things would happen around one month traveling.
I started on 17 August 2019, north of Marseille in France, at the city of Arles, with the goal to reach Santiago without any specified time frame. The Voie d’Arles is a very low traffic route and during several days, I met just nobody – not a single pilgrim, even at night. Knowing that in advance, I was expecting a difficult psychological challenge, but it was a physical one… When I reached Somport pass (East of Roncevalles), one month later, I was handling a typical 35 to 40 km per day, almost effortlessly, leaving early, walking as long as I “physically” needed it; a kind of peaceful routine where each day is just an another day, a very simple and calm rhythm of daily needs to meet. SIMPLICITY is key on the Camino!
As you may know, many pilgrims stop at Somport - or start the "Aragon camino” there. On the 2nd day in Spain, I met a tall Spanish guy, with a very big and heavy backpack, brand new shoes, starting his first camino. "Hike your own hike " was my then philosophy. He was just one of the many pilgrims, I have met on the trail, with their own quests and challenges. I was halfway through and more and more focused on Santiago de Compostela; He was speaking Spanish only (I learned Spanish at school but he was speaking a very fast, with slang words and a terrible aragonese accent). Day after day, I saw him reaching the albergue, late in the afternoon, totally exhausted, with blisters, blue toenails.. but stubborn like a bull.. During dinner, the pilgrims were speaking in English, few words of Italian and German, but Spanish was not a shared language... Then the magic pop-up, we started day after day to exchange few sentences and one day, in the very early morning, he decided to follow me on the trail. As you have understood, I like to travel light and fast. I was sure he was not physically able to match my pace. I thought “see you later in the evening” but said nothing and left the Albergue quite fast as usual. It was a very cold and dark morning; Suddenly I discovered that he was behind me - without the help of any headlamp. I had no-choice. I can't leave him alone in the back-country. I remember Aragon was beautiful in this month of september and I was sure that I will reach Santiago. No real need to hurry but perhaps it was the perfect time to sit by the river and think about life. Since that day, we spent more time together, sometimes on the trail, sometimes at one of the bar along the camino, or later in the eveningat the albergue. Stage after stage, a Spanish speaking group took form with a veteran Argentinian guy or others from Madrid, sleeping at the same albergue, sharing food and feelings. SHARE and SOLIDARITY between pilgrims ! At Puente la Reina, on the Camino frances, he was in a better shape and my Spanish has definitively improved. Finally, we reached Saria where his daughter (a good hiker by the way) joined us for the last 100 km (an important Spanish custom). At Santiago, his wife and a bunch of his friends who have traveled all thru Spain from Aragon just to welcome us on the cathedral forecourt. The emotion was really intense. Spirituality ?
I believe, he is now one of my best friend.
Long hours of walking produce endorphins - like a runner's high. so yes some of it is neurological. But also the solitude is healing. Ultimately is is the enlightenment of the empty out - a winnowing of the clutter. So every pilgrim drops the baggage - drop the rock. Not just psychologically--- but we begin to empty out our packs -what a great metaphor! Leaving the excess behind us.While acknowledging all the experiential factors cited above (and in some of my previous posts), lately I have been wondering if the underlying cause of the impact we commonly experience is basically neurological:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidd...ve-reasons-to-grab-the-controls/#152896da2d95
I love what you said. The simplicity is the key part. Absolutely.There are endless answers for this camino and for pilgrimage. You can make it philosophical or mindful/intentional, complex or spiritual or who knows what else. For me it breaks down to just two things. One is simplicity. The simplicity of taking each day and breaking it down to each step, simplicity of a cold drink of water or a candy bar being as wonderful as a fine wine or fancy restaurant, the simplicity of taking each person that you meet along the way and acceptance of them for just a moment or a lifetime. The simplicity of being mindless and unintentional and learning that great things happen when you are out of your head and out of all the mindless mush of your mind and let your body and heart take over. The simplicity of having the body control us and realizing all you need in life is love and what is in your backpack.
Second and as more important for me' the camino means HOME.
Beautifully written, your English is better than that of most native English speakers.Hi,
Hope my english will be ok,
It's big question, I asked myself so many times after my first Camino three years ago. Why I want to go back to this place ? When I came back, people asked me if I liked it. My response was: I will would go back tomorrow morning.
After many questions to myself and after some trips I made I get some answers.
I think the humans need to be in the nature and to be in contact with her: follow the quiet flow of her, listen to animals, watch the subtleties, feel the wind..and stop. I know it's such a romantic way of thinking but I really think the Humans are animals and the modern life keep them away from their trueself.
The second thing I realized, it's about the human factor. During me Camino I felt through people a real Human community. Full of respect, listening and assistance during the difficult times. People from all different opinions can be part of a thing bigger thing than them self.... the humanity. And on the Camino I meet people who change my life.
The third thing I realized is I can learn so many things, develops myself, forgive, take important decisions.
I think in the Walking there is a great image ! : I cannot change the past, I only control the present (my emotions) and I can make choice for in front of me. And away from in the modern responsibilities, work, stress.
On the Camino I felt some clichés are true.
In few words: Freedom, friendship and Nature.
La Brique
Thanks for your words. I see you are thinking about Le Puy or the VDLP. I have done the Camino from Le Puy to Santiago and it is amazing. The scenery, the solitude, the quiet. the food is just wonderful. I was in such good shape when I hit St. Jean that I barely broke a sweat going up to Orison. My next Camino will definitely be the VDLP from Sevilla. I hope to start either in late February 2021 or mid October 2021. The virus will decide for me. I can't wait for this experience. I am sure that on the VDLP there will be many days where I may not see a pilgrim the whole day as was the case in France. You will have a very different experience on either one of these caminos than on the Portuguese or the Frances. It was almost shocking and a little disquieting walking from St. Jean even with much fewer people after spending a month in France. When I walked the Norte it became a singular camino for me after most people on the Norte chose to break off and walk the Primitivo. One last thing if you walk in France virtually no one speaks English. Not even at night in the GItes. But I was treated warmly and wonderfully every night. You will pay a little more per day on this camino but if you think the food and wine is good in Spain, if you compare it to the meals you will get in the Gites you will think you were eating at Burger King on your other caminos. One more thing my French ends with bon jour. The guide to take is the Miam Miam Dodo. Even though it is in French it is very simple to read and I didn't ever take a good look at this guidebook until about 3 days from St. Jean when another pilgrim showed it to me. I could have kicked myself. I guess a simple thank you got a little wordy here. haha. Maybe I will see you along the way on the VDLP. Stay safe and Buen vidaI love what you said. The simplicity is the key part. Absolutely.
I miss living out of a small backpack.
I miss magical synchronicities, friendly faces too.
Greetings from Victoria, David. We would have been on Day 19 today on the Camino Frances if our plans hadn't been demolished by the coronavirus! Hopefully we will be able to do it next year. We are very fortunate, as we have already walked three caminos and loved every minute of them. We hope it won't be too long before you are able to walk the camino and who knows we may meet each other along the way!Thank you all so very much for your inspiring words. It would have been day 10 of my first Camino today.
Threads like this one on the Forum help me keep my dream alive of walking a Camino one day and perhaps having the pleasure of meeting some of you out on the trail. That would be an utter delight.
Beautifully written in perfect English. Thank you for your beautiful thoughts.I’ve been trying to understand why the Camino has such a lasting impact. It’s a key I think to understanding other things. What do we learn? What do we see? Why is it such a milestone? What is it about the Camino that has such a big impact and leaves such a lasting impression and, for many of us, a glowing memory and a passionate desire to do it again and again. I think I know some of the answer.
Beautifully said. AmenHi,
Hope my english will be ok,
It's big question, I asked myself so many times after my first Camino three years ago. Why I want to go back to this place ? When I came back, people asked me if I liked it. My response was: I will would go back tomorrow morning.
After many questions to myself and after some trips I made I get some answers.
I think the humans need to be in the nature and to be in contact with her: follow the quiet flow of her, listen to animals, watch the subtleties, feel the wind..and stop. I know it's such a romantic way of thinking but I really think the Humans are animals and the modern life keep them away from their trueself.
The second thing I realized, it's about the human factor. During me Camino I felt through people a real Human community. Full of respect, listening and assistance during the difficult times. People from all different opinions can be part of a thing bigger thing than them self.... the humanity. And on the Camino I meet people who change my life.
The third thing I realized is I can learn so many things, develops myself, forgive, take important decisions.
I think in the Walking there is a great image ! : I cannot change the past, I only control the present (my emotions) and I can make choice for in front of me. And away from in the modern responsibilities, work, stress.
On the Camino I felt some clichés are true.
In few words: Freedom, friendship and Nature.
La Brique
Beautifully said. Amen
You have expressed it very well, I agree with you wholeheartedlyHi,
Hope my english will be ok,
It's big question, I asked myself so many times after my first Camino three years ago. Why I want to go back to this place ? When I came back, people asked me if I liked it. My response was: I will would go back tomorrow morning.
After many questions to myself and after some trips I made I get some answers.
I think the humans need to be in the nature and to be in contact with her: follow the quiet flow of her, listen to animals, watch the subtleties, feel the wind..and stop. I know it's such a romantic way of thinking but I really think the Humans are animals and the modern life keep them away from their trueself.
The second thing I realized, it's about the human factor. During me Camino I felt through people a real Human community. Full of respect, listening and assistance during the difficult times. People from all different opinions can be part of a thing bigger thing than them self.... the humanity. And on the Camino I meet people who change my life.
The third thing I realized is I can learn so many things, develops myself, forgive, take important decisions.
I think in the Walking there is a great image ! : I cannot change the past, I only control the present (my emotions) and I can make choice for in front of me. And away from in the modern responsibilities, work, stress.
On the Camino I felt some clichés are true.
In few words: Freedom, friendship and Nature.
La Brique
You have expressed it very well, I agree with you wholeheartedly
For me it is very simple: I never felt more free then when I walked the Camino. I've always felt free while traveling on vacation, but not to the degree I felt on the Camino. The mind and sole desperately seek freedom, therefore the desire to returnI’ve been trying to understand why the Camino has such a lasting impact. It’s a key I think to understanding other things. What do we learn? What do we see? Why is it such a milestone? What is it about the Camino that has such a big impact and leaves such a lasting impression and, for many of us, a glowing memory and a passionate desire to do it again and again. I think I know some of the answer.
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