Lessons from the Camino

The Camino has taught me two lessons so far. The first lesson is about stuff. The majority of people walking the Camino are true pilgrims, they carry all of their possessions on their backs and they have no reservations in hotels. These pilgrims start walking before daylight so that they can get where they are going early enough to get a bed in an alburgue for 5€. The bed is usually a bunk bed in a huge room with dozens of other pilgrims and the bathrooms and showers are shared with both sexes. They get little sleep because of all the snoring from their roommates.  Charlie would not even consider such an option. We not only are staying in hotels but we have suitcases that are transferred each day. I have from day one hated my suitcase. Everyday I end up repacking it trying to be more efficient but it doesn't work and the next night finds me reorganizing again. I have finally decided that this suitcase is a metaphor for my life, I have too much stuff! When I get home the purge will begin and unnecessary stuff is going to be given away and no new stuff is coming in unless we really need it!

The second lesson was realized after yesterday's walk. I am a bit of a slow learner since it took me 20 days of walking to learn! From day one we have started walking no later than 8:30 and we have walked straight through not stopping except for a pit stop or a snack from our backpacks. We arrive exhausted and I am nearly crippled. Last night my legs hurt so much they burned so we decided to try something new. We knew today was a 15 mile walk so we stopped at 5 miles and had cocoa and pastries, after 10 miles we had bread and soup. What a difference those rest periods made! As I walked today I realized that the approach I was taking to walking is the same one I have always followed all my life. I always think I need to do too much too fast. I say yes to everything anyone asks of me and wonder why I have headaches and high blood pressure. Did I need to walk 300 miles to learn these lessons? It will be hard to change these life long habits but this pilgrim is going to try. About 42 miles to go!