Today, a very short walking day, marks five weeks that I have been walking on Camino . Now that I see the end of my journey on the horizon, I find myself starting to reflect on this journey and how it has woken parts of me I thought long since gone.
Here on Camino, I have a level of confidence I never thought I could have. I feel a lot more connected to myself and I feel a lot more primal energy flowing thru my veins. I don't question if I'm an outsider, I just enter the damn bar and sit, not that anyone is going to cause trouble anyways. I also feel a lot more connected to humanity, I talk with everyone - language barrier can go take a long really off a short pier, communication can still happen.
So, another meal with strangers this morning. This time a Spanish bikeagreno with as much English as I had Spanish. We were able to work out when and where we started, when we expect to finish, our names, and of course nationality. I may never see him again a he is biking 20km today so he can finish in Santiago tomorrow, but that is not the point. I made another connection with a human and we shared the common language - LOTS of pointing and hand gestures and some smiles.
Here is a big hint, TRY to learn a new Spanish word each time you interact and practice it there, they are always happy to help. A chocolate croissant is actually Napolitano con chocolate. Beautiful is bonito. Coffee is cafe American (you should drink the cafe con leche). Pizza, however is still pizza, but hamburger is hamburgaesa. And on and on. I always read the next on Spanish first, then read the English to fill in the blanks.
Maybe I will be better positioned to actually learn learn and retain Spanish when I return. The people here are wonderful and I cannot foresee that this will be my one and only jaunt to this land - I'll just bring my own soap with me, it is a luxury in this land :). If anything, this adventure has woken my desire to explore more of this world.
Random thought, before I started walking Camino, I had a hard time walking and not being winded. I've noticed a change in my body and walking, I come to a hill, my stride lengthens and pace quickens some - my body LIKES hills. Just this morning, walking the hill outside of portomarin, I caught myself whistling a tune and just blowing by people. I didn't realize this until I heard someone panting like I used to... Ooh, the steep ones can still be a challenge, but I survived the climb from Hunto to Orisson! The rest of the Camino is easy by comparison! This is in stark contrast to my flat ground walking where I seem to drop into a leisurely stroll. Down hills, WHOO-HOO! Hey outta my way, I have size 13 boots with two hiking poles for stability and I'm not afraid to use it all.
Anyways, early blog post today. Casa does not have Wi-Fi and really lousy mobile reception. Camino Ray and Camino Nancy are inbound and we will once again reunite the Camino family!
Tomorrow we should reconnect with more family so we can march into Santiago together next week.
PHOTO DUMP :
https://goo.gl/photos/J8vq4Mn3dHYgHjPv7
Buen Camino!
Kevin
Yay! 5 weeks. Isn't that incredible?
ReplyDeleteHere at home, it seems like languages can easily give us an "excuse" to stay separate from people, but the Camino proves that, when we're willing, we CAN connect with people from all over the world. Even in Portland, "Hi" plus a smile can be magical. But we have to make it a priority, and be willing to make eye contact and try. The Camino really encourages us all to re-prioritize, y'know? We appreciate your inspiring, and humorous, posts, Kevin. Thanks. Buen Camino. Ultreya. Rock n Roll with your peregrino fam! R & K
Wow honey, 5 weeks down and 2 to go. So proud of you! I am glad to hear that you will have some of your Camino family back to walk the last stretch with you. You set out on this journey for a reason and you have found everything in it that you were looking for. I am so happy for you. I love you so much, sweetie. Get some sleep and we will chat tomorrow. Hope you have a good day for your walk.
ReplyDelete