Pilgrim equals stranger. To go on pilgrimage means going to become a stranger. One is not home anymore or even on vaguely familiar turf. One chooses to go outside their comfort zone. It is more an excursion or a trip or a walk.

These days with the Covid running amuck hither and yon we are all dropped into a strange situation. We all are treading water in this flood of newness. Making sense is a full time job. But some of us have had practice at this. Maybe not this particular strangeness but a strangeness none the less. Our pilgrimage experience should carry over here to give us some tools to utilize.

We know for instance that some good and appropriate gear can make a difference. We used to talk of packs and boots of sticks and water bottles. Now the gear is different. Now it is masks and gloves, space and hygiene.

But more importantly the space between ones ears becomes the important factor in moving forward despite the outward situation. It seems like so much chaos that the virus has brought and add to that the politics and the social upheaval. How to navigate? How to not get overwhelmed? How to have friends near? How to ask for help? This all speaks to a certain nimbleness that we have developed on the trail, individual nimbleness and group nimbleness.

We jump from rock to rock as we cross the river. We move as a flock of birds moves when that is called for. We follow the yellow arrows. It is second nature this companionship on the move.

Blue sky walk this morning in a few minutes. Neighbors reported that some tree is down along the trail. Have to see what that is about. This time of year some of the fruit trees split in half or get damaged from the weight of the fruit onboard. It’s that season.

love in the time of chaos, Felipé.