It was shortly thereafter that I came to the exact location of eleven years prior where I had encountered a fellow pilgrim when myself in a state of insecurity & exhaustion. I had been walking for many miles that day already, had no idea where I would be able to rest my head for the night, and was anxious about an oncoming storm. As such, I had asked my fellow journeyer where he was headed, hoping at the time to learn of some hostel up ahead where I might find refuge for the night. Instead, he had simply smiled at me and said “To Santiago – are you coming too?” I don’t think I will ever forget the combination of annoyance and amusement I felt at his answer that particular day, nor will I ever refuse to remember the graffiti I saw on this 2019 day at exactly the same location – graffiti that showed two pilgrims arm in arm, with one of them smiling at the other and saying … “To Santiago.”

“There are three traits to which I hold fast and true. The first is humility; the second is frugality; the third is kindness, all of which combine to keep me from putting myself before others, all of which inspire me to make my life about giving instead of getting, and thus all of which keep me on the Right Road through life. If we are humble we are able to be both gentle & bold; both frugal of want & giving of wealth. All three keep me from ever putting myself above another, and as such all three allow me to enliven my Self in any circumstance.” ~ inspired by Lao Tzu

Filed under: Peace Pilgrimage #02: Walking HOME (2019) by Scaughdt