The Camino call is a strong one. It niggles, gnaws and itches its way under your skin until you agree to succumb!
This call sees us sleep deprived from flights, transit lounges, express & regional trains, to finally dump us in Ponfeddara. With a backpack, hiking poles, good boots and an enlightened outlook, we embrace our way!
Our first experience saw us meticulously plan times and distances. We got swept away with mileage covered, the number of non-stop walking days and we scoffed at those softies; who didn't carry their own bag and took taxis, buses or trains. It became a competition of one-upmanship. We were Camino snobs! It was only through experiencing an injury and meeting some Camino legends at Shogun, that the major shift in our mindset occurred. We discovered that, there are no rules, that the Camino is individual; the journey is yours and yours alone!
It is with this philosophy, that we pilgrim this time round. We walk as far or as little as we want. There is no plan - we stop at local cafes, yarn, partake in wine tasting and tapas, we smile, laugh and soak up the atmosphere of being part of the Camino community. We stroll through vineyards, stay in cosy albergues and beam with the simplicity of it all; a life stripped bare.
Thank you, Camino for calling us back!
No comments:
Post a Comment