Month: June 2016

Today the Camino was a new experience, we walked early in the morning into the  town of Sarria. When a person want to get a certificate of compestela in Santiago, one must complete the last 100 km by foot or 200 Km by bike , in order to receive ones compestela. Sarria is the town that meets the 100 km requirement . So, many people only do the last 100km. The tranquility of the last 700km has turned into a freeway of humanity, rather than being surrounded by seasoned pilgrims , we are now amongst first day travelers and new pilgrims all experiencing their first day on the Camino. So, the camino is providing me with new oppertunities for me to experience my own judgements and thoughts about this part of the Camino. I get to experience deeper compassion, tolerance, patience, understanding , and love for everyone that chooses to walk their Camino for whatever their reason or intention. Bless all those who walk the path.

Some of today’s photos.

A very magical and mystical walk today. We had a fairly steep climb up and out of Triacastela, into chestnut and oak forested pathways, crossing small brooks and streams. Winding along small farm paths. We came upon the first albergue , it was an ecological themed refuge, offering hot tea , fresh orange juice. The albergue also was a yoga retreat, nestled among 800 year old chestnut trees, a very magical area. Jeff was the host of the albergue , he was from Australia, and been hosting for a year or so, his vision was to reside aiding pilgrims for the rest of his life, he had been captured by the Camino, and was now experiencing full sustainability via the Camino. He told us of two other places to visit along the path, one a wayside fruit and food area hosted by a man named Simon , the food and fruit was offered via donation only, so Simon was also trusting the Camino for his sustainability vision, thus far he had been offering free food and drink for over two years. We engaged in heart felt conversation for quite a time, it was a very special connection, to hear his take on life and the Camino. He told us that we should divert off the normal path and visit an alchemist artist that had a Refugio and meditation center, and art studio. A very interesting visit , the artwork was all fashioned out of ground up Crystals , gem stones and minerals. All of the colors were natural, the designs were full of the energy and vision of the artist and the energy of the media. A most profound visit. 

It was a great day of walking and much inspiration. We stayed at a nice albergue offering vegan meals, a fitting end to a mystical, spiritual day

Here are some photos of the day.

We decided to spend another day in this village and the fine albergue, we got to see part of my Wolfpack as they passed thru. Nice to see and spend time with PJ and Lisa, we miss Stewart as he has gone north to walk the less traveled English Camino, perhaps we will see him in Santiago.

Tomorrow we will head out towards Sarria, Sarria marks the last 100 km to Santiago . For a pilgrim to receive a compestella they must complete the last 100 km into Santiago, so pilgrims that wish a compestella flood into Sarria to start their pilgrim walk. We know the energy of the new additions to the Camino will be different from those of us that have walked the entire Camino . No judgement here,  just a new experience, that the Camino has to offer.

I am already feeling the sadness of the Camino physical journey coming to an end, but the Camino will dwell within me forever.

the thought for the day;

The Way is your destination.

Random photos of People and things along the way 

Today we continued our steep climb to the village of  O’Cebreiro, a mountaintop top old village hosting one of the oldest churches on the Camino dating back to the 9th century, we walked the steep path in a cool morning mist, walking in the clouds that capped the tops of the mountain. We are now in the district of Galicia, with the Celtic influence, the food and the language here is different than other parts of Spain. The wine is richer and more bold, the cattle , sheep and pigs are the mainstay here, but later as we near Santiago in Galicia we will see more and more sea food offered. 

We continued our journey down off the mountain to the small city of Triecastela. At one time there were three castles in the city, nine of who’ve survive today. They were destroyed almost as fast as they were built. We stayed in a wonderful albergue, one of the best that we have seen. The hosts kind of adopted us, and shared part of their life with us and made us feel special , it was a real connection with them. We continue to be blessed with rich experiences. 

Thought for the day ;

We might be disappointed when we fail , but we are lost when we don’t even try.

Some photos from the day

A short 15km day today. We climbed and climbed and climbed some more. It was a beautiful day, a nice physical challenge on a narrow rocky trail much of the way. We were rewarded with stunning views and very small villages. We stopped for the night in La Faba with a population of 15 people. We stayed in a very clean albergue run by a German confraternity. We ate dinner in a refuge that cooked vegan meals all grown in their garden. After dinner we attended a mass conducted at the local church. They conducted a pilgrims blessing in all different languages . We all shared our pilgrim stories and how the journey has affected us. We then all said peace be with you to each and every person along with a hug. If only the whole world could act with this love and compassion . We were people from all over the world enjoying each other’s journey.

We can not give peace unless we first create peace in our own hearts and minds.

Thought for the day; 

Face your path with courage, don’t be scared of people’s criticism. And above all, don’t let yourself get paralyzed by your own criticism.

Some photos from the day.

Today we walked about 18km thru farm land and vineyards, walked thru very small villages.  It was a very peaceful walk, lots of quiet time to each ponder our thoughts, and let the last couple of days settle into our souls. The peace and beauty that we were seeing matched the feelings inside of each of us. We stayed in a small albergue and had a room to ourselves .

By the way I am up to 49 different bird calls.

Thought for the day;

A caged bird sings about freedom. A free bird flies. 

Some photos

We had a great time last night in the hostel in Molinaseca , we rejoined PJ, and Lisa, found them sitting in the shade of a tree relaxing along the rivers edge, we enjoyed aBrazilian dinner created by our hostel hosts, a special evening where each of us shared our reasons for our Camino walk and some of what we had learned along the way. 

Renee and I have found a deeper connection then we thought possible . Building on the foundation of love. 

All along the Camino I have been fascinated by the old foundations the doors the Windows . Many of the structures today are upon the foundations of old roman ruins , some using the the old foundation , or reusing the stones from the ruins of old. The use of some else’s foundation can be risky, as it might not be suitable for the new use. Adopting someone else’s idea may not work . The great Cathedral in Leon was built on top of old ruins to save money and labor. As it turned out the old foundation could not support the cathedral and had to be changed during the construction.  I am reminded that when we build our life on others foundations, that we might be disappointed in the out come, of what we intend to build. 

As I look at the doors and windows along the Camino . I wonder what is behind those doors? I can only imagine what is there , so my mind creates an idea or image of what is there, without really knowing what is behind the door. We do this in relationships where we imagine what someone else is thinking or what we think they believe . I try to look in the windows of old buildings but can’t see a thing , because there is no light to illuminate , I am reminded that we can’t always see what is there, so we imagine what might be there. As we pry the door open a little or allow the sun to shine in a window , we can now see some of what is inside, with enough illumination we can see how strong the foundation is on the inside . So in relationships we should not rely on our imagination of what someone else is all about, we need to open the door to their inside, open the window to allow more light to illuminate them to truly see their foundation. This way we can fully support and build a lasting structure that will stand the test of time and weather all the storms. 

Today I celebrate opening doors and windows and finding useful foundations. If we look with an open heart and with no expectations , we may find the truth of what is within and the foundation upon which it is built. We have the ability to explore each other, and apreciate the beauty of what we find in each other.

Thought for the day; 

Reality or illusion, which is which?

Some photos.

Today’s walk was a very special walk to one of the highest points on the Camino.

It is also where ” La Cruz de Ferro” is located.this is an important place along the Camino for many pilgrims. Pilgrims carry with them a rock, or a trinket, or a special item that has or has had a special meaning to them, or to someone else. 

 This is where each pilgrim puts away the past, says a prayer , places their significant item at the base of the Iron cross at the top of the mountain. Each person has their own reason, or burden to let go of . A vision of a new beginning , a prayer for healing, forgiveness for blessings, a myriad of individual reasons. This pile of rocks and momento’s has grown to over 15 feet tall stone by stone over the century’s .

After reaching this emotional high point, we then decended steeply down the mountain, this part of the caminon is very tough on the body , as the downhill attacks all of your joints, jolting you with the pounding repetitive steps downward. We decend almost 3,000 feet in just a few miles . 

Today I reflected back on the time in Sahagun, and the bull fight weekend, I could not bring myself to attend the bull fight.  I was in Spain, the bull fights are a national event, the whole city comes alive, but I could not attend. I had to ask myself WHY

It is to me , a symbol of mans inhumanity to man, one persons dominance over another, one is more important than another. The string or powerful rule over the weak. 

Here is a bull eating in his peaceful pasture, enjoying the company of his cows, making calves. Enjoying his life, all of a sudden men come in take the bull away from all that he has known, shackles and chains him , hauls him away to an unknown place, torments and teases him, chases him thru streets, hitting him with sticks, loud noises, all the way to the bull ring . Here he will meet his fate, but is first tortured and incouraged to fight to show his anger, to put up a good fight, to make the Matadore look good and to show how brave and dominate the Matadore is. Only to stand broken in spirit to receive the final thrust of the sword. 

Is it human nature to be dominate over others ? I am reminded how the slave traders went to Africa and took the people away to use them for their own gain, he who had the most or best slaves was rewarded. 

What is it about our nature that allows us to choose dominance over harmony? why can’t we all just get along?

Thought for the day;

live as you like to, without ever hurting someone else. 

Here are a few photos of the  walk to the cross and then down to Molinaseca.

This is the first day that Renee and I shared our walk together . We walked alone but together, sometimes being silent, other times sharing our thoughts, sharing our innermost things that we had discovered during our solo journeys along the Camino . Each of us discovered or uncovered thoughts, feelings or self discoveries, that both filled our souls as well as surprised ourselves. We shared our darkness and our light. We shared our joy and our fear, we held hands as we walked and comforted each other. We dismissed expectations, and differences. We listened and heard each other, without judgement . We set ego aside to just be present for each other. What became evident was, love mattered. The bond of love is all that really matters, to set conditions aside, and just know that love exists between us.

A week or two ago I decided , for the first time to listen to my music on my iPhone , I hit shuffle and the first song played 5 times in a row. The song was” Don’t know much” by Aaron Neville and Linda Ronstadt. The song says ” I don’t know much , but I know that I love you” this song would play every time I selected my music to play. 

I played the song for Renee as we walked, we both looked at each other and knew that the words were true for each of us. I Don’t Know Much,but I Know That I Love You.

 Thank you Camino for getting us down to the basics, this is our sturdy foundation.

So this walk was emotional , uplifting, and renewing. Renee and I enjoyed the serene walk to Rabanal and found a nice albergue to stay . We then went to a pilgrims mass at the local church, it was a Gregorian chant type of mass. Renee was carrying a cross for one of our neighbors in Las Vegas, he had asked we get it blessed along the the Camino, so with all the blessings we had today, it was perfect that we could get the cross blessed as well, from the priest in the church. 
This was a most special day. A day of reaffirming our love and a day of blessings.

The thought for the day; 

In the midst of difficulties there is always an island of possibilities.

Here are some photos of today’s walk to Rabanal.

I can’t get wifi on my iPhone so I can’t post to the blog , I will try to post several days worth when I can reconnect to the wifi. It has been a most profound 4 or 5 days with Renee and I.