Day 31f: Unsticking the Stuck … (05/15/2019)
And once again I came across a more-than-merely-tall tree that had recently fallen across the path and blocked my way, only this time there was absolutely no way around (the tree’s trunk — obscured by vines in the picture attached below — was a good three feet in diameter and it extended all the way from the river to my left to & over a steep embankment on my right) … :O
Despite the sad state of my legs (where even raising them a few inches off the ground brought on shooting pain) I managed to sloooooowly use a few branches to gingerly clamber to the top this wooden wall. Much to my disappointment, it was at this point that I realized — after more than a few unsuccessful attempts — that climbing back down to the ground was unfeasible in either direction; with doing so being an affair that was MUCH more agonizing than the quite difficult ascent had already been … :O :O
Feeling pretty stuck, and wondering how much gumption it was going to require to simply jump to the ground and then deal with the excruciating pain that such a landing would undeniably entail, I was surprised once again, this time by two incredibly well-timed travelers ( :O ); two fellow Camino pilgrims — pilgrims who spoke no English, and yet pilgrims who easily comprehended my obvious plight and who then fluidly helped me down from my potentially permanent perch before speeding away along the path; quickly out of sight before I could even partially muster a halfway appropriate, French-butchered expression of thanks … 😀 😀 😀
“Paths are consensual entities, for the simple reason that without common care and common practice they completely disappear: blocked by fallen trees, overgrown by vegetation, ploughed up or built over by men on missions other. Just as sea channels require regular dredging to stay open — and just as Love requires regular expressions to remain viable, paths need to be walked to Be.” ~ inspired by Robert MacFarlane
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