Living at a walking pace

Walking the Camino has meant living at a walking pace. This means that each day we are only traveling as far as our feet will take us. The next town might only be fifteen minutes away by car, but that can be another hour or two on foot. Points of interest that are only a kilometer or two off the Camino seem forever away as we must consider the return trip and our total walking distance for the day. After hundreds of kilometers, the feet quickly object to any extended side trips. At the end of the walking each day, even the interesting thing a block or two away is ignored as the body demands a shower and a cold drink.

It means potentially settling for the nearby bar/museum/lodging rather than another; sometimes this is because it's difficult to tell if the other place is even open. On the other hand, we've learned through experience when we can be brave and hold out for something better. Often the second or third bar in a small town gets our business now.

While walking can be limiting, it is also liberating. There are no bus/train schedules to stress about. There's no desperate search for a parking space for the rental car. There's no worry about the luggage left in the car getting stolen. There's not the often unrealistic attempt to squeeze in half a dozen castles, museums, churches, etc.

I definitely feel like I've learned a lot more about the daily life of people. We observe them at all times of the day and for more than a few seconds. It's possible to stop and talk with people or at least offer appreciation for their beautiful house, garden, art, etc.

I can tell you about the subtle differences in the colors of sky from the hour before dawn until the sun has fully risen. I can tell when the birds will begin to chirp, when the snails and slugs will still be on the trail, when the butterflies and bees will begin to feast on the wildflowers.

I've learned how my body feels at walking paces 30 seconds apart, and how to tell which one will leave me without blisters and not ready to collapse at the end of the day.

Don't get me wrong, I don't think this pace is for everyone and everywhere. The Camino's centuries of tradition has resulted in a structure that supports the walking. There have also been many places where I've wanted to linger for a day or two more but it hasn't been possible if we want to make it to Santiago in the time we have. I'm already planning the return trip to Spain that will not be at a walking pace so we can linger a few days in each of the bigger towns and see ones we will not reach this time like Madrid.

As the distance on the trail markers decreases, I don't find myself thinking that we're almost done, that we'll have succeeded. Instead, a part of me mourns that the kilometers are dwindling and this will end. I don't want it to go on forever--there are parts of my regular life I miss--but I do try to appreciate each day that we have left.

Buen Camino!Lue lisää