Thoughts from another Pilgrim

My walk continued today along the rolling Galacian hills to the town of Portomarin on the Rio Mino. I'm not feeling particularly insightful but this Camino description by another pilgrim resonates with me so I thought I'd share.

"Being a pilgrim on the Camino is a curious thing. You walk with many others, and you also walk alone. You make instant friends and build bonds with pilgrims, yet you seldom learn their last name. You walk day after day with pain, and forget it all while sitting around a cafe table sipping wine and laughing with other pilgrims, waiting for the kitchen to open at 7pm(or 8pm!), so you can EAT! You walk miles, in the early morning darkness without breakfast or coffee, and it feels normal. You sleep in bunk beds and share bathrooms with many other people, and are grateful to have a hot shower and a place to lay your head at night. Sometimes you cherish the camaderie of other pilgrims, and sometimes you crave solitude. You walk through indescribable beauty, and also trudge under a merciless sun or through cold rain. You carry fruit or snacks with you at all times, because Spanish shop keepers decide their own schedule. You eat more bread & pastries and drink more wine or cafe con leche than you ever imagined, and still lose weight. And every day you wonder why you are doing this, and every day you give thanks that you can.

Credit - Donna MastEn savoir plus