Buen Camino Again

I have discovered along the way how easily Pilgrims are to spot in any town along the Camino. Their slight to extreme hobble, a very underdressed look compared to the decked out Spanish, knee or ankle braces, sunburned, than once seated comparing their new and old blisters is a must, as well as trading theories on curing those darn things, an alcoholic drink in hand, and a smile on their face… Oh Buen Camino!!
To be honest this Camino adventure is not really what I had expected. I mean I did not know what to expect, but it has been fairly hard. Like fellow pilgrims I have dealt with several blisters, sunburn, a surprisingly painful bee sting, an terrible stomach virus yesterday, a quite heavy pack, as well as sore feet, knees, and hips. It would be a lie to tell anyone that this was an easy trek. No it is not Everest, for we have a place to stay every night, towns all along the way to get a great cup of café con leche or a fresh baguette, and stunning scenery. Yet, it is still very challenging.
Among the pilgrims traveling the Camino it is thought that there are three stages. They are Physical, Mental, and Spiritual. I am almost half way through my journey and as stated above oh boy have I experienced the Physical, and in every realm. I now am in a different area of the Camino known for its flat plains, and long stretches in between towns. I am totally feeling the mental strain now. For walking practically alone, for about 7 hours, with little change in scenery or town, is the perfect recipe to get your brain into a tizzy. The past few days I have spent the hours listening to music, praying, crying who knows how many times, thinking about home, my loved ones, my Germany experience, and wondering why the heck did I choose to walk 25-30 km a day…You know I am not sure right now. But I have learned SO much already. I wonder how God could possibly teach me more in these next few weeks. I got an big wake up call, of my thirst for control in my life. And Boom, HELLO, my plan for my life sucks. I praise The Lord all through the day that He is holding my hand leading me on along this walk into His beautiful plan. A new start each day. He never ceases to make us new, we just need to rely on him. Lean on his immaculate grace. I am dumbfounded by His mercy…yet I think that is the perfect place to be. For if I could understand my Heavenly Father, would He really be God? God is inconceivable (yes said in the same way as the guy from Princess Bride). "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power at work within us.." Ephesians 3:20. Each day when I wake up sore, in a new bed, and in a new city, I just have to remind myself of God's promise that He will never leave me or forsake me. And not only that, but He is walking beside me every step of the way, I just have to choose to draw nearer to Him.

Buen Camino (Greeting said to Pilgrims from fellow Pilgrims as well most Spaniards you pass by, literally it means Good Path/way)

Buen Camino

There is anticipation in the air. 

Josh and I arrived at our Albergue (hostel) this morning in Pamplona after a sleepless night outside a fairly fridge French Train station. 

Arriving to our albergue and re-packing my now-seeming ginormous pack made this reality seem real at last!  

We thus proceeded to wash our already filthy clothes today while chilling at the Albergue. Oh boy it was a riot, and since we are too cheap for to use the washers here at the hostel we decided to wash them all buy hand. I remember at one time I thought, "this is so fun, why don't we do this more often?" Then the voice of reason chimed in (Josh), "Because we have machines that can do it for us…" Anyway it was fun. Now, I only if they would dry… 

Tomorrow before the sun fully comes up we set out on the way for our first destination Puente la Reina. It is about 23 kilometers (14.5 miles) and I am just so ready to hit the trail. With a Spanish baguette in one hand, and a perfect little sized packet of left over Bode (bodenseehof) jam in the other, I will be ready to take on the Camino! (Oh and the jam is Raspberry, of course) 

Buen Camino! 

The Journey is the Adventure

The journey is the adventure 

So today it begins…

1 pack 

1 Fellow Pilgrim (Josh) 

2 Feet

5 weeks 

706 Kilometers 

Camino de Santiago 

This is a pilgrimage that has been travelled for over a thousand years. The trek begins just about anywhere in Europe, ending at the Magnificant Saint James Cathedral in Santiago, Spain where it has been said that James' bones lay, who was a disciple of Jesus. Pilgrimages from all over the world take on this religious and inspirational trek every year. And in five days, I will be one of them. I will be walking from Pamplona, Spain to Santiago and then maybe to Muxia, where land meets the Atlantic Ocean. I have been anticipating this adventure for two years when I first discovered the Camino from the movie, The Way with Martin Sheen. A spark was light that has just turned into a bonfire of interest and researching. Now, I am sitting at the airport in Stuttgart, Germany realizing my once dream is now coming to fruition. 

These next five weeks on the Camino are not about the destination. It is not about seeing an old church, for I have seen my full in Germany. It is not about James' bones, for he is just some old guy who walked with the Lord, just as I am doing today. It is not about the exercise, though a great way to slim down, I would eat all the incredible German delicacies like cakes, pretzels, multiple bars of Ritter Sport and Milka Chocolate, and bread till the end of my days. It is not about the scenery, which will still leave me in awe each day but for after about a week I am sure it will all begin to look all too similar. 

NO!

This is trip where the Journey is the destination. Where the journey is the adventure. 

I am walking 706 kilometers to draw closer to the Lord. To listen to Him. To meet people from around the world, who are taking a huge chuck of time out of their busy lives to just, walk. To just be. To be honest I have no expectations for this trip. I do not know what the Lord has planed for me. Yet, I know I will be walking with the Lord each day. Leaning on Him each second of the day. To draw nearer to my Redeemer. 

At the end of Bible School, I was given a verse.

Psalms 3:3 

"But you , O Lord, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high." 

Let the adventure begin…