Day 34 on the Camino Way
Sacred Places
All along the Camino we’d come across shrines like this one. Someone carved the first cross in this stone outcrop and then there were two and then two hundred. This spot then became a place where people walking the Camino left notes to loved ones lost or photos of the same. It is a sacred place then, I think. And then, of course, I think about sacred places.
What makes a place sacred? Tomorrow we will arrive in Santiago, a place considered by many to be sacred. We are leaving at 5:30 in the morning so we can make the Pilgrims’ Mass at noon. The Pilgrims’ Mass is held in the Santiago Cathedral, the legendary burial place of St James.
I’m not entirely sure why this place, or any place is sacred, or even what I mean by the word, but this much is certain: Sally and I are as excited to get there and experience that as we have been for anything in a long time.
No Words
This gentleman, I didn’t get his name, started in Sarria, the jumping off spot for folks who want to walk enough to get a certificate—the Compostela. He started ten days ago and is, at the point of our connecting with him, twenty-five kilometers from Santiago.
In an earlier post I went on about people who were newbies, implying that they were not as genuine a Camino Way walker as those of us going the whole way. Since then we’ve come across a number of determined people who are pushing themselves beyond what seems like reasonable limits to achieve something meaningful for them. Each time we do, I eat my words.
This thing we are doing is like life. It’s not a race, not a competition—although most of us can’t get that through our heads. Tomorrow when we get to Santiago de Compostela, Sally and I will not be evaluating the route taken by others, or the amount of effort, or how fast anyone went. We going to celebrate, and probably in the quiet manner that defines us best. And we’ve already reached out to walking companions along the way who are there already or arriving sometime on the same day as us. We’ll go to Mass with them.
I’ve had a lot to say these thirty-four days. I’m done now for a while. Thanks for following along. Honestly, I love you all. And that love thing? That’s the sacred thing, I think.
No More Words Today
We’re really tired!
Buen Camino!
Thank you for allowing us to “walk” this journey with you. We are truly impressed and awed!
I have enjoyed going on this journey with you. Your honest, straight forward, and observant comments were very much appreciated!!! We’ve hiked some tall mountains in Colorado, but never in consecutive days!!!! Thanks for taking me along!!
Thank you for sharing your jouney with us.
We love you both and are so proud of you. It has been an incredible experience to start each day with you. Thank you for bringing us to Camino and sharing each day.
I am in awe if what you have accomplished, but not surprised that you have done so.
Following you has been a gift; you shared your courage, your fortitude and your humility all along the way. Talk about reflection and insight, yes, humor too…
And oh, the love, the love…you both are just awesome humans.
Thank you.
Merle
Thanks Marlin and Sally. I’ve enjoyed your trip and thoughts along the way.
I too have enjoyed reading these blogs from your journey and I’ve shared them with others. Some days I needed a good laugh or a shift in perspective and you gave me that gift. Thanks for taking the time and energy to write!
Marlin and Sally,
Congratulations on this achievement! Thank you for sharing your experience with us. I will miss the daily reflections that I’ve enjoyed these past 34 days.
God bless you both!
What a joy it has been to follow you, with your reflections. I look forward to seeing you soon back home and hearing even more stories. Buen Camino on this next part of your journey….after Santiago.
Way to go, Brother. Dee and I are eager to see you in a couple of days. We are so proud of you two, not because of what you’ve done, but because of who you’ve shown yourselves to be along the way!
❤️❤️
I have really enjoyed reading your post every morning. It for sure has been about the people more than the place.
💕
Thank you for allowing us to follow you on this path. I have looked forward each day to reading your words and pondering your thoughts. I’ve always appreciated your insight and your journey was full of that and so much more. Grace and love to both of you
Sally and Marlin, I’ve so enjoyed reading your daily posts. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and your heart. I’ve been blessed through your daily posts. You have “run the race” on the Camino and the prize is in sight. Enjoy these last moments of your big adventure. Buen Camino!
Amen to Tony’s post. Thank you for allowing us to journey with you. Blessed recovery.
Thanks for letting us journey with you. A powerful reminder to me that it is much more about the journey than about the destination. Hope we can Zoom soon.
Thank you, Marlin and Sally, for your honest, humble reflections on this journey. I realize it must have cost you some sleep time each day. Thank you for giving us 70 year oldsters a wake up call to keep doing hard things.
Marlin and Sally – What wonderful witnesses you both are to so many and to those of following you/walking with you in our own way on your journey. Finish the “not-a race” in the spirit you need and with the Spirit. Bravo! God’s peace be with you!
Soak in the blessing of completing a goal with grace and a beginners mind. There is still so much but today, you have arrived! Enjoy!
Marlin and Sally: we’ve kept your training pace at MVP, but you have gone way beyond our capabilities!! We’re exhausted from this “walk” We recently walked 8.5 miles in Montreal and it took 3 days to recover!
All kidding aside, we’re in awe of your great accomplishment, CONGRATULATIONS!!
I can’t wait for your book on your experieinces
CONGRATULATIONS, you two!!!! Quite an adventure. Thank you for sharing! Can’t wait to see you, again! Love and safe travels to you both!🥰 Joel & Naomi
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