Camino II — Day 2
210 to Go! (130 miles)
As you can see, and this is often the case, the twins have their own thing going. But the rest of us are with the program.
I think this is true, but you can decide for yourself — the people you walk through life with tell you a bit about yourself. I’m trying to figure out what this bunch says about Sally and me. One thing I know — we do not lack for leaders. What’s truly impressive is that with all the type “A” personalities in the group, we manage to get places and get along doing so.
And Look Who We Found
This is exactly what happens on the Camino, and I think in life in general. We came across Aly today. We were walking, heads down in the rain, and there she was sitting cross legged on a board walk ramp eating some trail mix. Now, it’s not that big of a deal really. Let’s not make more of it than we should. This meeting is not going to be life changing for her or for us. Let’s not overly spiritualize this either. Reconnecting with Aly is not a God-thing, it’s a life thing. Stuff like this happens and when it does we celebrate the moment. And we did. It was so good to see her.
Here’s German Katherine
Kathrine is walking the Camino in memory of her brother. He died of cancer a little over a year ago. She’s single and he was her only family. “He talked about walking the Camino. Then he died. So I’m walking it for him.” So there you go again. Whenever you see anyone walking alone, you can almost be assured they are walking in grief. I don’t need to say any more about that, right? Katherine walked with us for a while, but it was clear to us that she wanted to be alone. She was walking with the memories of her brother. This was personal.
I asked her about her work. She works for the German government. She didn’t say in what capacity and it doesn’t really matter. I remarked that I thought she might be retired. “No,” she said, “not yet. But I’m thinking that when I get back I might just quit.”
”Why?” Sally asked.
”I’m just now asking myself for real why I’m doing it. I don’t like it, don’t need to be doing it anymore. And my brother’s death reminds me that life is very brief, isn’t it? I like scuba diving, all my life. Maybe I should do more of that now.”
Remember Kesho from day 1 — the professor from Grinnell College in Iowa? We were talking about politics and what is now happening in Iowa. Dr Scott said, “Sometimes things have to get dark before you can see the light.” An unexpected death can bring in light too, I think.
Mother England Moment
”Do you speak English?” Me
Couple at adjoining table, “Yes, do you?”
And I knew I was in trouble. Either this couple was English or Canadian or Australian. She was smiling though so I didn’t feel threatened.
”Ok,” I say, “and you are from where exactly?”
”Great Britain,” with emphasis on “great”, and a gleam in her eye.
Then we talked a bit about different words we use — slang mostly, like “bloody” and “bloke” and “knackered” — which we are at the end of each day. It means extremely tired. They said “Cheers” and we were on our way.
It’s Just Fun
I think whoever did this was having fun with us Camino walkers. Or maybe he/she was making the point that it’s easy to miss the “way”. And let me say this again: “the way” is not a place, it’s a perspective. Life is a journey, a pathway that is unique to each of us and yet so much the same as well. What I’ve learned in these two Camino walks, as well as when Sally and I, with three friends, hiked Israel/Palestine from North to South, is to slow down. Linger more! I don’t know what that looks like exactly, but I’m trying to figure that out.
Green Stocking Cap Story
I thought I lost this hat today, and I was seriously sad. It was given to me by a friend with whom I ran two marathons and also walked with through some tough days. He and I are estranged. What happened? Trump happened.
I just participated in the funeral of one of the best friends I ever had. For a period we were at odds, and again it was over Donald Trump. Then my friend got sick unto death and I woke up. We made things right, and then he died. At his funeral, his children, who were almost like my own, thanked me over and over again for that phone call that meant so much to their dad. You know the one, the hard one that I have to make to my green hat friend.
Bom Camino!
So Marlin, what’s your motivation in doing El Camino You write about the motivation of others, but I’m not clear on your reason.
I’m doing RAGBRAI this summer, and I’m not certain about my own motivation, though I am drawn to it for the physical challenge, for the friends I’m doing it with, and because it’s Iowa.
Would you be motivated in the same way if this was a journey of similar length in another part of the world without the variety of fellow travelers?
Thanks for asking Norm. I think the physical, mental, emotional and in some way, spiritual challenge is a big reason why. But also we did the first one simply because we thought “why not” try this. Both of us were intrigued by the length and the different place — not Iowa. And another reason is that Sally and I can do this together. We both have the endurance and perseverance to do it.
I suppose someone should tell you to tell the twins to, “Grow UP!” Bet their response would be something like, “No way!” Or perhaps, “Heck NO! (That’sour mother’s versiion.)
They’re just funny.
I read this yesterday and have been thinking of the green hat friend story and getting beyond the bumps in the road of friendship. I imagine the making it right calls are about saying our friendship is so much more than our different views on this or that. We have to agree to disagree and avoid the things we aren’t going to agree on. We each have a unique viewpoint that is made of our personality, life experiences, beliefs, moral code and prejudices. It doesn’t have to be always right or make sense to others but it has to make us feel ok with who we are. We have to get used to loving the differences even when we don’t love some of the opinions those differences lead to. Indeed sometimes we may have very strongly negative feelings about something like Trumpism but still love our friend regardless. The trick is the focus on the friend and not on the difference. Getting to the essence of the friendship, what makes us care so deeply about each other.