The Unexpected Camino
Greetings!!!
As another “player” on the B Team I too, like Farmer John find myself in the surprising position of filling in for Felipe and his well-worn Camino Blog shoes. Yet I sense Felipe would not have asked us Bureau Chiefs to fill in if he didn’t already know and trust that we could indeed do this…so how did we end up here?
Each of us has a story, our own unique story, of what has attracted us to the Camino de Santiago. As for my story, it seems so simple and yet so similar to many of yours. Someone or something introduced us to the Camino and we not only heard the call but something deep within our souls resonated with it. This spark in our pilgrim’s heart was lit and our Camino journey began. Many of you have already answered the call. Your spark fueled, you have ventured to Spain and for days, weeks, or even months you have traveled the Pilgrim’s Path in the footsteps of the many souls who have gone before. You share the common bond of experience and knowing this journey even if the people, places, and details differ. When asked “Have you walked the Camino” you can raise your hands confidently knowing you are among those who have.
Recently I too was with a group who was asked this question and I also raised my hand with confidence until the question was defined further…Spain! I slowly lowered my hand hoping no one else noticed. See, this question was posed to us pilgrims while we were at the Veranda just a few short weeks ago. And while I have heard the Call of the Camino from both Italy and Spain I have yet to actually walk either of them. I know my time will come but their completion is not a part of my story…yet! Until then, I am on this side of my Camino, the planning, the listening, and the wonder as you share of your experiences and stories with me and with each other.
However, here today, we converge because of the opportunity provided by Felipe, his Camino, and his blog. He and Rebecca have been willing to share their hospitality with us in so many ways and for this we are grateful. In following my Call to the Camino an unexpected turn happened when I accepted Phil’s invitation to Raven Ranch and ventured to Vashon Island. While I have yet to walk my Camino in Spain or Italy, the next time I am in a group and am posed the question “How many have walked the Camino?” I can raise my hand high and with confidence, keep it there. For those of us who have had the privilege to walk with Phil on his Camino, I have recently and most certainly come to understand that his Camino counts. If you have walked Phil’s Camino, raise your hands proudly!
Pace e Bene,
PAR (Pilgrim Archeress Rho)
Dear Rho, B Team Straight-Shooter!
I hope you can appreciate how privileged I feel in being with you as part of your first Camino Walk! Your eagerness and graciousness was palpable! And your continuous helpfulness was noted by all, and continues even now with your “turn” at continuing Phil’s Camino Blog via Blog-O-Mania. And such a fine contribution it is! Kudos, and Thank You!
In my research leading up to my Camino in 2013, I occasionally saw ancient paintings or wood cuts of Pilgrims carrying both walking staff and a bow and arrows. In many of the early years of Pilgriming, the Way was a dangerous place. Not to mention the occasional need to supplement a meager diet with some bow-harvested meat. I now have a face to put with vision of these very early Pilgrims. 🙂
With Thanks!
Semper Fi,
PFJ
FPJ,
Thank you! And I am also grateful to be a part of this Caminoheads community. The Art of Hospitality is something Felipe and I talked about in depth the first time I visited Raven Ranch. The Veranda provided me and many of us the opportunity to bring practice to this art.
As for archer (and archeress) pilgrims, I love it! I first picked up a bow at a Renascence Fair in 2002 and the journey that came from that day was most certainly a Camino in a different way. My passion led me to many unexpected places (including one World Championship) yet shooting with Phil on Vashon Island, both before and after the Veranda was one if the most special times of my archery “career”. Please picture both Phil and I as Archer Pilgrims when you see those early archer pilgrims on the Camino.
Benedizioni,
PAR
Thank you Rho, you gave voice so well to the calling, and the answering, in whatever form that answer takes. Phil’s Camino, Spain, Italy, Ireland, Japan – there are as many long distance pilgrimage walks as there are faiths that name them, languages that speak them, but the pilgrim who hears the call and who answers – that is universal. Great Job to the B-Team (Bureau Chief Team) Pilgrim Farmer John opened the gate, Pilgrim Archeress Rho walked through, and now we are all off and walking. Buen Camino
Catherine,
The call is simple and personal, at least in my experience, but the answering has brought so many journeys, friendships, and an increasing bond in special community, all unexpected. I know the walking of the Camino will forge a strong bond among pilgrims, but I never considered (until reading your reply above) that the calling bonds us all to something greater before we ever step foot on the Camino!
Benedizioni,
Rho
Dear Rho,
What a nice first post! Well done! I think, our bandanas are the proof of having been in the Veranda, but Phil may need to instaure a certificate of pilgrimage for Phil’s Camino, and then it will be official… actually, it is the only thing that is missing… All else that happens in any given “official” Camino, is present at Phil’s. So, you and any other fellow Phil’s Camino Pilgrim who may be in the situation of raising a hand if had walked the Camino, can do it confidently.
Pilgrims Love,
Cris (CSABC)
Cris,
Thank you! It was both a challenge and a privilege to write a guest post for Phil. I look forward to seeing what the other Bureau Chiefs bring to the blog.
Phil actually does have a stamp and credentials for those who walk his Camino and I was given one when I visited Raved Ranch back in February of 2018. So my walking his Camino was made official back then. 😊. I don’t think any of us thought about Phils credentials during the Veranda this year. Another reason to have it again next year and make walking his Camino official for all who attended.
Benedizioni,
Rho
CSWBC