Only 53 Kilometers to Santiago
I set out this morning from Melide, which is an intermediate stop on the final hundred kilometers of the Camino.
Because of this, there are not too many pilgrims on the road and I largely have the trail to myself.
There was a rather large group of pilgrims staying in my hostel whom I met at breakfast, but I think they’ll be starting a little bit later 🙂
I came across a wonderful old church this morning, and in what has become my ritual, went in for a moment of contemplation and thanks.
I have an amazing sense of peace and calm this morning, even knowing that my journey is almost completed. It’s like the pieces are starting to come together at last.
I find immense comfort from my daily church stops. Never in my life have I knelt so often, in so many churches, in contemplation and thanks.
I look forward to this day, and whatever it may bring. I’m sure the Camino still has a few surprises in store for me.
The Camino of Life
I can remember back in Torres del Rio talking to an interesting Danish guy Nils about what the Camino meant, and the history of the Camino.
At the time I think we formed the view that people who wanted to walk the Camino would gain different things from it depending on what stage of their life they walked it.
I think there are so many life lessons to be gained by walking the Camino, it would be difficult to determine at what point the most benefit could be gained.
For me at least, this is a one-off experience, never to be repeated. As someone pointed out the other day, my views may change over time.
The reason I see it as a one-off, is that I undertook this journey at a specific time of my life, to reassess my values, priorities and to understand what was really important to me. I’m not sure that purpose is necessarily one that should be repeated.
But of course the interesting thing about walking the Camino, and the many lessons that it teaches us about life and the world around us, is that really I think the Camino is just the training ground for life.
The real work begins post Camino, when we take these lessons forward into our lives and the lives of those around us.
Rob – I want to truly thank you for your blog, video and photos.
Have followed it along when i could, and was especially charmed by the earlier bits across the mountains etc.
you held the camera/iPhone still.
no wobbly camera work and dizzy-ing editing maneuvers.
What a relief that was/is.
it finally made it possible to enjoy the sights without getting motion-sick (i’ve stopped watching camino video. only rarely now one can view a video without wobbles or .5 second cuts; most to be taken by movie-director-wannabe’s, so it appears. sadly)
i could hear the stillness, the silence .. .sence the majestic peace of a grand landscape.
thank you for sharing all of it in the way you did.
hope you’ll have a blessed continuation of journey.
buen camino!
Thanks Amorfati. It’s been a pleasure sharing this journey.
Whilst I physically walked alone, capturing and sharing the sights, the sounds and feelings of the journey helped make it very special.
Funny. I agonised a bit over what camera gear to take.
In the end. ….
A phone.
No tripod. No external mic… just a phone.
Another Camino lesson maybe ?
I said in this Post that this was a one-off….. 5 months later, I’m thinking of doing it again 🙂
Well, never say never… 😉
I’m reading through your blog and watching your videos once again in preparation for my first Camino in April / May this year. Think I said it before, but thanks again for sharing so much of your Camino experience!
So, when are you going again? That first round is on me, in case we shall meet.
Hi Andy. Probably May or June. Just a short one this time with my wife Pat. Starting at Sarria. Maybe she will get the ‘bug’? 🙂
If she does, maybe next year we could start in St Jean together. That will be a test of a relationship 🙂
Where you will be starting? And which Camino?
Hi Rob, I’m going to start in the last week of April in SJPDP on the Frances. Hope to make it so Santiago and further on to Finisterre.
Wish you the best of luck for your camino from Sarria. Would it be a bad idea to keep my fingers crossed for you that your wife indeed will get the “bug”? 😉
Walking together certainly is a different kind of experience, me and my wife walked a four day stretch on one of the caminos here in Germany together with another couple. We had a lot of fun and also some quiet moments, when we just followed the path without one of us talking. The whole experience forged a much closer bond between the four of us, so I’m sure you and your wife will enjoy being on the way together. 🙂
Buen camino to both of you!
Very envious Andy. Buen Camino!