One of the interesting things about any long-distance pilgrimage (or really any task undertaken under any extreme circumstances) is the way it exposes previously unregistered annoyances &/or “pet-peeves” … For me, it was surprising to learn how much I detested walking on hyper-thin trails that required me to walk balance-beam fashion down the trail — […]
In pilgrimage — just as in life — there are lessons being taught every single day. And in pilgrimage — just as in life — it is up to us to learn them; by not only having the humility to see them but also the courage to enliven them … And so it was for […]
In no small part due to the less than welcoming vibe in Decazeville (a vibe that was enhanced somewhat by a lovely elderly couple who invited me inside their home for some cool water and some equally refreshing conversation), it didn’t take long for me to hike up and out of town — all the […]
“With all things in life there is a constant need to let go of the idea of ‘trying hard.’ After all, there’s an innate heaviness to trying hard to get something, working hard to have something, or striving to be something. In truth, as long as people remain married to the idea of ‘trying hard’ […]
And so it was that I flow-hobbled into the small city of Livinhac le Haut — the city where I intended to set my weary body down and spend the night. And things boded well as I first entered the city proper, with me walking happily along “Peace Street” towards the center of town … […]
It was a bit too early to ask in the low-cost Gite d’Etape about possible lodging for the night*, so I followed my usual course of action and spent some much-appreciated solace-time in the beautiful church across the street … 🙂 “Why do you call me Good? No one is truly noble but God Himself […]
“No matter where we walk, we would do well to remember — there is beauty truly everywhere; heart-opening, senses-shattering, breath-snatching Beauty.” ~ inspired by Edward Abbey
By the time I left the church, it was still too early to try and check in to the aforementioned Gite d’Etape, so I decided to walk around town instead of waiting; flowing from hostel to hostel and from B&B to B&B*, seeing if anyone in town was wanting to “win the lottery” by offering […]
“Through my life, I choose to walk gently. I choose to treat all of life – the earth and all its sentient residents – with respect and with reverence. I choose to remove my shoes in the presence of holy ground — while remembering that all ground is holy. As much as possible, I choose […]
After yet another long day of walking, I finally made it into the town of Montredon, where — as usual — I first & foremost stopped by the local church to soak up some Soul-full solace, and offer a heartfelt thanks for being given yet another day of walking for humanity and caring for strangers […]
Located directly across the way from Montredon’s stunning church was the Relais St. Michel, a donativo hostel that I had (quite ironically) heard about back in Livinhac from Andrea — who had off-puttingly (and somewhat condescendingly) mentioned it as being “quite different.” Well, he certainly was correct, for different it certainly proved to be — […]
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