I am just going to give Maggie the spotlight whenever she shows up. She is doing a wonderful job of reporting. Let’s do a wonderful job of sending our thoughts and prayers off to her.
“Today was a recovery day from 30.2 walk to Astorga, mostly in the rain. I came down with a bad cough and a was a bit feverish, so went to the local clinic. They were totally wonderful to me. I must say that for the 6_week Spanish class I did, followed with an online pgm Duo Lingo, it definitely is helping me.
This is the next morning. My fever broke so now I’ll definitely be feeling better. Good timing because tomorrow is one of the biggest challenges going from Rabanal to Molinaseca.
As this journey continues, the bonds between fellow pilgrims strengthens. I can walk for hours on my own, then stop at a cafe and see many with whom I have walked. We are all feeling the same; some aches here and there, fatigue, but mostly the joy of coming together. Word is out about my 80th ‘compleanos’ coming up and I’m so touched by the comments I get from so many younger people.
Just leaving now after enjoying my favourite ‘coffee con leche’. More later.”
I can feel from reading between the lines that Maggie has reached that stage when pilgrims greeting each other with “Buen Camino” and it has taken on the new meaning of, “Yea, I may have bugs in my teeth, leaves in my hair and blisters on my feet but I’m still doing it and so are you!” Been there, love, Felipe.
“Buen Caminno.” How many times a day did we hear that greeting or offer it ourselves as we walked towards Santiago. Too many to count. “Buen Cammino.” In some ways it is not unlike our more familiar, “Have a great day,” and, in another, it is completely different. How?
I think it has to do with the intention and recognition with which it is said. The first time we heard it was outside the front door of the inn where we stayed in St. Jean. The inn keeper, looked at us shouldering our packs after breakfast about to take the first steps on the first day of our 500 mile journey to Santiago.
“Buen Camino,” he said with a look of care, concern, joy and blessing in his blue eyes. It was as if he so wanted to walk with us, and of course he did in his kindness and blessing, which we gratefully carried all that day and for all the many days to come.
“Buen Camino” is the greeting of pilgrims, the mutual recognition that we are all on the path together towards Santiago; all on the path together in this life. Now, when I say “have a good day,” I try to empty myself and open my heart so that it flows from me with the same recognition and intention that “Buen Camino” did in Spain. And, I thoroughly enjoy saying “Buen Camino to fellow Caminoheads, because they totally get what I mean.
So, Felipe, “Buen Camino.”
Sending love, care, concern, joy and blessings your way today.
Catherine
Catherine ~ totally get it. You say it with a Caminoheart. Love, Felipe.
Reading these posts from Maggie fills my heart with such a rich and warm joy for her. I have not walked the Camino. Only in spirit. This journey, is it welcoming the ebb and flow of unfamiliar possibilities while honoring our dreams of childhood? Matters of the heart. Matters of our faith. I’m listening to all of you and learning, with love…….
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Jennifer ~ you are right with us in this alperfect pile. A pilgrim pile bound for glory. Love you, Felipe.