Unexpected

‼️ warning - graphic description‼️

As we were walking through Pamplona making our way towards the train station, we decided to take one more tour through the old town to marvel at the tall citadel walls. They must be 30 -40 feet high.

We walked around the top, commenting what a big drop it would be into the rough stone or road below.

As we turned the corner, we saw a woman stop her bike and run to a man lying on the ground. She started doing CPR while another man was on the phone calling the police.

Paul dropped his bags and ran over to help. The man on the ground was lifeless, and I heard a woman at the top saying “se tiré” which could mean “he threw himself” (?)

Paul jumped into CPR, relieving the woman. He checked for pulse in multiple places, keeping the rhythm.

There was a lot of blood 🩸 flowing down the street from under the man’s head.

The police arrived quickly, and they pulled out an AED. A non-uniformed officer asked if we had witnessed anything. “No lo vimos pero mi Esposo lo ayudó”
“We didn’t see it but my husband helped.”

The officer said “if you didn’t see it, then please leave.”

By then a team of three officers were setting up a privacy screen and shaking their heads. We walked away, Paul shaking with the adrenaline.

A woman walked up and asked what happened. When I told her, she said “nobody survives that fall.”

I’m amazed at how quickly Paul’s instincts kicked in, ready to try to save a life, even when the signs pointed to the inevitable. And why I feel so safe traveling with him.

On the way to the train station a few blocks later, we saw an older man lying on the ground writhing in pain, many people rushing over to help. We were grateful to walk away from that situation knowing others were there to help.

So we sit in the train station waiting for the train destined for Astorga, wondering what lesson the Camino is sharing today. What is activated in this situation that can shed light on patterns in the world? In ourselves? Is this a warning? The reminder of the sobering reality of life’s fragility?Leggi altro