Get the Rhythm

Get the rhythm, get the rhythm, there you go, get the rhythm.  It is the rhythm that drives you on the Camino!

It is the rhythm of how to pack your bag in the pitch dark, in a shared Albergue, where 20 other souls are sleeping.  It is knowing your clothes by the sense of touch - it is the rhythm, get the rhythm, there you go!

It is the rhythm as your feet and hiking poles tap out the sequence that your body falls into pace with. It is the rhythm that drives you forward up to the peak of O'Cebreiro one foot after the other, the gasping of breath and the cascade of sweat. It is the swagger of the walk as the mist engulfs you; it is the rhythm, get the rhythm, there you go!

It is the rhythm of cutting the wax,  the swivel  of the cork- screw, the swill of the glass as the wine flows and the chorus of clinking. Stories are embellished and laughter roars.  That's it, get the rhythm, there you go! Get the rhythm.

It's the sense of community; Buen Camino, the 5 minute friendships that seem to last a life time. Raising your glass to salud the glory of the day; it is knowing that this is a life stripped bare- walk, eat sleep, repeat.  Get the rhythm, there you go, get the Camino rhythm!

Camino calling!

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!

Call of the wilds!

In 2017, we set off on an adventure! To step away from the baggage of society and live the simple life. The Way of Saint James, The Camino de Santiago or Pilgrimage of Compostela! With backpacks  containing the barest essentials, we joined the masses, following the ancient path to the resting place of St James.

 Trekking the undulating hills through the rustic villages and towns,  using the simple yellow arrow or shell to guide the way;  A pilgrim's life brings forth a roller coaster of emotions; the anticipation, exhilaration and liberation but also brings; fatigue, aches and pains brought on by the strenuous nature of the challenge.

The first part of this adventure is the physical, the body needs to adjust to the new demands placed upon it, you may develop blisters, sore feet and aches where you never thought possible. ibuprofen and compeed become your new best friends. Just when you start to get the pain under control, you move on to the mental game. By this stage you have walked many kilometres and have many more ahead, just keep one foot in front of the other. The epiphany or spiritual stage kicks in when you realise just what you are achieving and how far you have come. Deliverance!

At dinner on our last night in Santiago, the question went around the table about walking the Camino again? At the time, we felt that we had 'been there done that' and we had other fish to fry.  Never say never!

 We yearn for the simplicity of  'The Way' and are on our way back there now!

                             

How ever you choose to accomplish your Camino, remember, it is just that! Your Camino is your way!