The Camino - One Year Later

Wow.

So it's been one year since I was in Spain.  In that time, I am continually amazed at how often I reflect back on my time on the Camino.  That journey has forever changed me. 

I often think about the people I met.  I keep in touch with some of my fellow peregrinos even now.  I think about the places I visited, the scenes that unfolded, the experiences that I had.  Some of my experiences are forever with me in a tangible way -- like the scar that I have from a cut that I got, or the never ending achilles tendonitis in my left foot that I live with which I had exacerbated in Spain. 

A year ago today, it was the same day it is today -- my birthday.  A year ago, I had walked from Samos to Sarria.  I remember having a solitary journey, and it being the only day of rain the 3+ weeks I was in Spain. This was the evening on which the recommencement of my camino journey began, after having to rest in Leon for several days. 

In the year that has gone by, what keeps coming to the surface is that I want to go back on Camino.  I want to walk the entire Camino, from St. Jean all the way to Santiago.  I know I will never have my 'first' camino journey again; but I long for the peace and contentment and tranquility of walking west every day.  Of sleeping in albergues with other snoring and stinky peregrinos.  Of working together to find a way to help each other out, stopping to see sunflowers, or all the pauses to take photos. 

If I am blessed enough to go back, I will take with me several lessons learned.  These are things that I think every beginniner has probably heard from any experienced Peregrino, but even though I thought I took all that good advice to heart, it is clear on reflection I had missed opportunities:

1) DON'T RUSH! Many Peregrinos, especially in the busy months, start early and rush to get to their planned destination for the evening in order to get a space at the Albergue.  I was one of those peregrinos for most of my Camino; however, when I got closer to Santiago, I realized how much I missed by all my  rushing! 

2) Take photos with your fellow peregrinos.    This is one thing that I regret the most!  There are several amazing peregrinos that I don't have photos of or with, that I wish I did.  Also, not asking people to take pictures of me in all of these amazing places or with my fellow travelers with my camera! 

3) Don't always stay in a big city or big albergue.  The best and most amazing experiences I had on the Camino were in smaller towns and smaller albergues. 

So a year later, I love and cherish my Camino experience even more than I would have ever thought I could have.  I long to go back so much that I am going to start planning my return after I finish posting this.  If you came across my blog because you were searching for information on the Camino, I hope this will be of some help to you.  Most importantly, I hope that you are as blessed in your Camino as I was in mine. 

Waiting in Atlanta

Lovely flight back to the US, the pilot mention Santiago as we crossed out of Portuguese airspace for those of us on my side of the plane :) I have one more flight and then I'm truly home. My mum and dad will be there to pick me up, and I will be glad to see them.

Customs was one of the better experiences I've ever had, great job to Customs and Border Patrol Office in the ATL, you are all amazing! The man who was my agent, Gary, showed me that his birthday was the day before mine, and he wished me a happy birthday, which was exceptionally kind. God is so good to me - he found a way for me to have a simple kindness that went so far and meant so much. I wished him the same and we had a nice conversation but then he had to help other people returning to the US.

I miss Spain and all the beautiful moments, but I have lasting memories to always treasure. Lots of processing to do.

Love, Hugs, and Buen Casino!
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Day 25 - Leaving Spain

There are many things I could post.  But what I most want to share with everyone is the song that I made up (somewhat) on the Camino.  Many thanks to my fellow American, Shawna, who helped me with the last few verses. 

This is a 'parody' of the traditional Christmas Carol 'The Twelve Days of Christmas', so if you know this tune, please sing along.  For those unfamiliar with it, search on YouTube and then read/sing these lyrics. 


The Twelve Days of Camino

On the first day of Camino, St. James gave to me... a bag of ice for my bum knee. 
On the second day of Camino, St. James gave to me... two trekking poles, and a bag of ice for my bum knee.
On the third day of Camino, St. James gave to me... three brand new blisters, two trekking poles, and a bag of ice for my bum knee.
On the fourth day of Camino, St. James gave to me... four speeding cyclists, three brand new blisters, two trekking poles, and a bag of ice for my bum knee.
On the fifth day of Camino, St. James gave to me... five bed bug bites! Four speeding cyclists, three brand new blisters, two trekking poles, and a bag of ice for my bum knee. 
On the sixth day of Camino, St. James gave to me... six sleeping snorers, five bed bug bites! Four speeding cyclists, three brand new blisters, two trekking poles, and a bag of ice for my bum knee. 
On the seventh day of Camino, St. James gave to me... seven bocadillos, six sleeping snorers, five bed bug bites! Four speeding cyclists, three brand new blisters, two trekking poles, and a bag of ice for my bum knee.
On the eighth day of Camino, St. James gave to me... eight piles of manure, seven bocadillos, six sleeping snorers, five bed bug bites! Four speeding cyclists, three brand new blisters, two trekking poles, and a bag of ice for my bum knee.
On the ninth day of Camino, St. James gave to me... nine yellow arrows, eight piles of manure, seven bocadillos, six sleeping snorers, five bed bug bites! Four speeding cyclists, three brand new blisters, two trekking poles, and a bag of ice for my bum knee.
On the tenth day of Camino, St. James gave to me... ten new amigos, nine yellow arrows, eight piles of manure, seven bocadillos, six sleeping snorers, five bed bug bites! Four speeding cyclists, three brand new blisters, two trekking poles, and a bag of ice for my bum knee.
On the eleventh day of Camino, St. James gave to me... eleven roadside bars, ten new amigos, nine yellow arrows, eight piles of manure, seven bocadillos, six sleeping snorers, five bed bug bites! Four speeding cyclists, three brand new blisters, two trekking poles, and a bag of ice for my bum knee.
On the twelfth day of Camino, St. James gave to me... twelve credencial sellos, eleven roadside bars, ten new amigos, nine yellow arrows, eight piles of manure, seven bocadillos, six sleeping snorers, five bed bug bites! Four speeding cyclists, three brand new blisters, two trekking poles, and a bag of ice for my bum knee.

I hope you enjoy the song and my thoughts that I have captured in my blog (and will likely continue to capture occasionally as I continue to reap the benefits of this amazing trip).  Below is from the morning I spent on the beach in Finisterre.  Enjoy!