From Silence to Conversation

Today turned out to be a 19 mile day from Logrono to Najera - filled with pensive moments and surprising conversations.

I was out very early again aware of the full day I’d have. It was chilly most of the morning but without a cloud in the sky the heat came on quick starting in the late morning. I planned to eat breakfast at an identified “cafe” in a park on the outskirts of Logrono. Either it’s no longer there or hadn’t opened yet by the time I arrived. I would be sustaining myself on peanuts until lunch. 😣

On my way into Navarette which was the halfway point for lunch a 60 year old Spaniard man approached me. Upon a short inquisition he asked if he could walk with me for a bit to practice his English. I was moderately skeptical. He seemed nice enough but I’d feel more comfortable if I knew he was a pilgrim versus a local.

While he chatted away in relatively good English he kept brushing up against my side. I thought either he is very personable or he’s trying to take something of mine.

Well, we walked the last 45 minutes or so into town talking about a whole host of things: the Camino, Spanish and American history, Catholicism. Before we parted he said, “you’re not like other Catholics.” I’m not entirely sure what he meant by it but I could tell it was a compliment. As I reflected on the conversation I thought, I hope if anything in my life that people who do not have faith or have a negative impression of the Catholic Church consider or reconsider it because of knowing me. It has so much to offer.

Toward the end of my day there was a 1 km alternate route through a small village. Late in the walk I almost kept walking but decided it might be worth the addition walking to stop, get a cool iced tea (my walking drink of choice), and change my shirt.

At the stop I was greeted by a whole cohort of English speakers! We had a glorious chat and I enjoyed connecting with someone beyond “Hola”. I met Roxanne and David from Vancouver. Aisha from Manatoba, and Jade and Ana from Ireland. I happened to walk off the same time Aisha was. She was a bit ahead of me but stopped to offer me a fruit she had just picked from a tree nearby. We spent the final 4 miles walking. It was great to speak to someone - it made the time fly.

She is Conor’s age. Her college experience disrupted by COVID she found herself backpacking in Asia and doing volunteer work in Australia. It sounded like she had some trouble with depression and possibly an eating disorder. But she sounds like she is on the other side of all of this. She mad me think about Conor and some of his transition out of high school. She helped me to reconsider a few things.

Regardless, it was nice to have a conversation partner, and learn about a new person on the Camino. I’m sure Aisha will find her way in life. I’m sure Conor will too. 😊もっと詳しく