I feel naked without a pack on my back, and I miss the simplicity of the camino. Every day you know what you have to do: walk, walk some more, then find a place to sleep and food to eat.
In this rainy city where locals have had it up to here with pilgrims, I have too much time on my hands. The energy I spent on walking now finds its outlet in obsessing about my life.
Being a pilgrim is easier, in some ways, than "real life."
I try to keep the rhythm and simplicity of the camino alive even now that I´m no longer walking. Sometimes I succeed.
Pilgrims' route across northern Spain
Camino marker
Where I began
Guadi's Bishop's Palace in Astorga
Where I ended up
As Artes Hotel room overlooking Santiago Cathedral, the pilgrimage terminus
Cathedral columns, Santiago de Compostela
7 comments:
You have a good life. A rich life. In my humble opinion.
... and I'm personally honored to be a part of that rich, wonderful life!
And it's obvious that you have good caring people in you life who love and respect you. Not bad.
Congratulations on a journey well taken! I have been on the camino, tracking your every move. But
I strayed from the path, falling victim to the sensuality of simple pleasures-a comfortable bed, cheese, bread and wine. I overslept.
I thought that the whole ascetic thing is inspiring (and I am proud of you for starting/completing the journey) but just not my cup of tea. Too hard. Hedonism has won out again.
I enjoyed your insights on fellow pilgrims, feral cats, a minuature pony, Queen Anne's lace, and the shame of Santiago, their soccer team.
Quail is a perfectly good word, but it is also a plump little bird. And these little birds seem always to scurry but a few feet along the camino before running back into the bush. It is a difficult way to make a pilgrimage, a few steps ahead and then hiding in the foliage. With such an effort, you would not be in Santiago by now. You'd still be with the Empress or with Passion.
What were the names of the other members of that Von Trapp family singers, by the way?
You once again have lived up to your adventurous,brave,and inspiring zest for knowledge and travel.YOU GO GIRL! We miss you, and look forward to catching up and hearing some un-blogable moments, along with your laugh and facial expressions.We can not wait to feel your calves.Congratulations!Come back and get pampered.XOXOXO
Nicely done Erin.
I'm in Rome now, so all the comments are preceded begin
XX ha detto (X says)
thanks for all the wonderful comments and welcome, deko and vince and rc.
I was healthy througout my walk but now I have G-I issues and nosebleeds. I'm glad all that held off on the trail.
now: gelato, cappuchino, and some really cool shoes.
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