I took a sleeping pill last night and slept lots. I was long overdue for a good night’s sleep.
I decided to stay home today. I wanted to hear the music at Pioneer Bluffs this afternoon but guess not enough to make myself to get out. I needed a quiet day at home.
Ten years ago today I walked into Santiago completing a 500 mile walk across Spain. To this day I still don’t quite believe I did it. I am a confirmed couch potato and to get out and walk 8 – 18 miles a day was way out of my comfort zone. It turned out to be the best thing I have ever done for myself.
Some of the lessons the Camino taught me I use daily. One step at a time is what I would tell myself when I had to climb up a mountain or continue walking on a hard day. I would ask myself can I take one more step? I always could.
When I had to climb a long, tall mountain or hill, I would pull my hat down low so all I could see was what was directly in front of me. Sometimes when a challenge looks or feels too big, dealing only with what is in front of me is the best way to proceed.
I had a map of the route that told me the elevation climb or drop, things about the trail and how far between were the rest areas. I learned when I anticipated it would be a hard day, it usually turned out that way. However, if I could stay present to what was and walk it out without anticipation, the day was easier. I don’t anticipate well! I do better not knowing what to expect and staying present to what is.
I met two of the most wonderful people that I continue to communicate with to this day. They gave me a touch stone at the end of a day and offered grace and understanding to me. I love them dearly and am so grateful I met them on the trail and we became friends.
One can get along in a foreign country without speaking the language. Smiles, eye contact and hand gestures go along way. I found the people in Spain much more friendly than those in France.
It still amazes me that locals allowed thousands of strangers to walk through their property and towns. It seemed to be a great honor of them to give directions and meet your needs. Sometimes the maps of where the place I was staying for the night were a challenge for me to find. I learned to ask for help – especially from an older person. They never failed to take my hand and guide me to where I needed to go – even if it was a long way. When they got me there they would kiss both of my cheeks and wish me Bien Camino.
They taught me how to ask for help. I have found since then that most people are more than willing to help. It was my own inner talk that told me they wouldn’t help. Rarely do I find someone that turns the other way and life is much easier when I ask for help.
I will always carry the memories of the Camino and the adventure that it was. I’m grateful I blogged during that experience so I captured the little things that happened along the way.
Grateful for the Camino adventure, grateful for the people I met along the way, and grateful for the life lessons it continues to teach me.