(photo P Volker)
Yesterday I was writing about opening up “after” the pandemic. And both Cris and Ron fired back comments to me/ to us. Their view is that we are no where close to opening. This “after” the pandemic might be an illusive idea. I will print the body their comments:
From Ronaldo, Caminoheads Astorga Bureau:
It is too early to make broad and accurate statements on the Camino ‘opening.’ It will be different and I will forward reliable info as it happens. I remind myself, and each reader, that each of us has a personal pilgrimage experience.
Stand-by for info as it is published by responsible groups.
I plan to walk a day on the Camino in a week or two but I don’t expect an albergue to be open, likely a taxi ride home.
I am hoping to walk the Ingles from Ferrol in the fall. We will see.
From Cris, Caminoheads South America Bureau Chief:
Just keep being safe… this situation is not at all “over”… we are just getting used to it, and living with it, but still by no means we can let ourselves “be at ease”… I have been reading posts of people assuming when the Camino will open or even suggesting ideas to do so… And I was wondering that maybe, we can encourage any pilgrim or future pilgrim, to drop down this idea for 2020&2021 and instead, start using their imagination and do their own “backyard” Camino… Maybe because I am on “the other side” (on the medical side), I see these questions and my stomach aches… but on the other hand, I think “we” can also share with “them”, that a lot of the Camino happens being close to the other, listening while they speak really softly, almost as if we were their priest listening to their confessions; and also hugging each other, while laughing loud in a pilgrims table… in the social distancing world we must keep living for a while (for the health and safety of all of us), those things shouldn’t happen…
I know… it is sad… but I have been thinking that there should be a way to honor the ones who have died and the ones who have lost their loved ones due to this pandemic… and maybe we can do that aware that the health of the other is “in our hands”…
Well, there you have it for Sunday June 7th. Off to walk my “church” walk with Catherine.
Dreaming of opening loves, Felipé.
I’ve had a couple of chats with folks on Facebook encouraging them to think carefully. Some are very beligerantes, they are young and it Spain opens on 1 July, they intend to go. Nuts. The Camino in Spain is not open.
Walking from village to village, staying in dorms, it’s a recipe for spreading any illness. The Portugues in Portugal is apparently open with pilgrims aiming to arrive at the Spanish borde on 1st July when it opens. Orisson opened this week. It bewilders me. You can walk up to Orisson, spend the night but not enter Spain?
Most people are not on a limited time thing, though with my cancer I probably am… but why rush? The Camino has been there a long time, it’s not going anywhere.
K
Karen ~ Yea, the Camino has seen worse. And as you say it is not going anywhere. It is just our own impatience that grinds on us. Felipé.x
Oh my goodness, this is so good and thank you for sharing! It’s so hard to resist dreaming of the pandemic being behind us, yet I agree that it is way too soon and worry about those who have already become complacent as well as those who weren’t masked up during the demonstrations and as to what that will mean for the rest of us and the length of the process. I can’t help but think though that your personal Camino, Phil, and how Annie and others memorialized it, were such perfect timing for all of us to ready our own personal At Home Caminos! And for those of us who have been on The Way of St James, it is so important that we embrace the fact that we are continuing to be on Caminos in our day to day lives! I love the idea of honoring those who have died during this pandemic with safe practices to protect those we love that are still living. And etc. etc. etc. as the Camino gives us lots to work on at home! Listening more-that’s a good one!
Robbi ~ yes, we so long for Caminoness and here we are separated and not just temporarily. We feel like it has been snatched away from us. I guess we need to walk on alone and learn how to appreciate that as part of the whole. Thanks, Felipé.x