There were two primary alternatives to the Path today … I took “the high road” along the crest of some mountains and got lost — the only time I did so on the whole 555 mile Trek (a metaphor?) … “Towering genius disdains a beaten path. It seeks regions hitherto unexplored.” ~ Abraham Lincoln
There were very few Way-markers along this stretch of the Path, so fellow pilgrims had made their own for those who followed. I adopted this service as well, and found out later that my arrows had actually helped my own mother stay “on track”. Of course, that only proved to be the case along the […]
“Where am I?” ~ Scaughdt (to fellow pilgrim) “Paradise!” ~ the fellow pilgrim’s wise response
… local Spanish folks harvesting chestnuts from some verrrrry old chestnut trees. “Happiness is the harvest of a quiet eye.” ~ Austin O’Malley
“Care less for your harvest than for how it is shared, and your life will have meaning, and your heart will have peace.” ~ Kent Nerburn
Green is the archetype of unconditional Love; a door that is always open, even when appearing to be locked.
Mom & I had planned to meet in Vega de Valcarce, and yet I knew I was way ahead of her and it was already glimmering into darkness. I didn’t think there was any way for her to make it to me — and the hostel at VdV had a funky vibe (pay attention to […]
I had heard about Ruitelan’s donativo hostel (“Pequeño Patola”) from other pilgrims along the Way, and it turned out to be everything recommended and more. Carlos, the manager, was stern but caring, which means a lot at the end of a long day of walking and wandering and getting lost (and eventually finding my way […]
After stowing my things, this is the room where I chilled out that evening (to some really good chill-out music, I might add). At dinner, the other pilgrims and I were introducing ourselves and I was asked where I was from. I suddenly didn’t know how to answer the question — having come to feel […]
Ruitelan is the commencement point for the steepest climb of the Camino — up to Ocebreiro. Maybe I was just getting fitter, but I didn’t find it all that challenging. I think the relative difficulty or ease of the particular stages of the Camino depend more on one’s inner state of Being than one’s level […]
“Life’s true Gift is not the immediate revelry in physical pleasure or emotional comfort, but rather the opportunity to consciously delay such gratifications in order to honor the Gifts one has already been given.” ~ from my Camino journal
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