Why the Camino?

An obvious conversation starter on the Camino is, "Why are you doing the Camino?" After 20 days I'm still not sure I have a good or simple answer like the ones I've heard.

I enjoy traveling and was looking forward to spending six weeks immersing myself in another country with Grace. The challenge of walking across a country for almost 500 miles with only a backpack's worth of items was also appealing; I wanted to find out what this aging body could still do.

I don't know if it's a pilgrimage for me; my relationship with the church is fraught with unresolved concerns. Regardless, the places where we visit are filled with history and art; we walk a path walked by others for centuries and view sights seen by others for millennia. There's something moving about them that requires no faith.

The Camino is six weeks where I hope to have time for some self-reflection and deep thoughts while removed from most of my usual commitments, but few seem to have manifested themselves. The Camino can be hard work even if isn't the usual daily grind of home. Hopefully retreating from the world will allow me to return refreshed and ready to finish off one career, find something else, and fight for democracy and what's right.

It's odd though because the world definitely continues to deteriorate while we're away. We're lucky enough to step off the crazy ride for a minute but it keeps on spinning out of control. I pray for answers about why and how and what now, but haven't heard anything yet; maybe my mind is still too muddled by the past and present.Read more