Travel day to San Sebastian

Today, I am starting my fourth summer walking a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in the northwest corner of Spain. By the end of July, I will have walked over 2,000 miles on the Iberian Peninsula. I never really considered myself a walker before my first Camino, and now I can't imagine life off my feet.

Each of these caminos has served a different purpose for me. The first, from Lisbon with Jamie, Bonnie, and Kona, revealed that I can hide behind my caregiving and that I needed to create space to take care of myself. That led to my second Camino, a solo journey across the Frances route, which exposed that while I live a life of compassion, I did not know how to show it to myself. This put me on the road to more self-care and healing. Last summer, I walked two Camino routes: the Portuguese coastal, which gave me the space to grieve Alex’s passing and celebrate his life through food and travel—both of which he loved. Then, Bonnie joined me on the exquisite Primitivo route, where we learned how to keep moving forward and upward through all conditions.

Our present Camino will be in three stages on four different routes. Bonnie is with me again, and we are starting in Irun, Spain, on the border with France in the heart of the Basque region. We are excited to experience this culture, which is represented in our hometown of Boise with a significant Basque heritage, and now we get to see its origin. Next, we will detour over the Picos mountains on the Lebaniego and Vadiniense Camino routes that not very many pilgrims experience. Finally, we will walk the last two weeks of the Frances route with our friend Christie. On this leg, we will map out a directed breast cancer experience that we will lead next year from Leon to Santiago.

Traveling, especially by walking, expands our world by engaging our senses in new experiences. This isn’t simply a vacation; it is an intentional pilgrimage that engages body, mind, and spirit. It changes the way we live moving forward. Each one has been a new chapter for me.

Again this year, I wrestled with bringing a camera, and for the third time, simplicity won out. All I have is my phone for photos, but I am thankful that it does a pretty decent job. I made two books from my photos last year and was amazed at how they turned out. I did bring an upgraded keyboard and screen, as I intend to process my photos and reflect through journaling at the end of each day. Even now, as I type this while flying towards Spain, I think it is worth the extra weight.

I titled this first entry, “What is on my Backpack.” Besides the zippers, loops, and ties, there are a few things dangling from my “mochila.”

Toy Hand - A Spanish toymaker named José Sanchís, better known as Mocho, handed out these small trinkets to pilgrims he felt represented the spirit of the Camino. He delivered them hidden in his palm during a handshake and a blessing. My friend Steve Walther not only received one on one of his Caminos but was also fortunate to meet Mocho in Santiago and was given a handful of “little hands” to pass out himself. Steve honored both Bonnie and me with one of these treasures. It may be simple, but to me, it is a Camino relic, full of meaning and purpose.

Flashlight - Earlier this spring, I attended the annual American Pilgrims on the Camino gathering, a joint celebration with the Canadian Company of Pilgrims. Our theme was, “Bridges of the Camino: Connecting Cultures and Hearts.” In a world with so much division, this is a theme that resonates with me. During one of our sessions, we passed out these small flashlights (in lieu of candles) and filled the room with our sparks as a demonstration that we can all be a light in a dark world. I attached mine to my backpack as a reminder to sparkle.

This year, the small turtle that was on my backpack in past years is hanging from my neck. It serves as a reminder of my first Camino with my family, where we referred to ourselves as the Turtles. There is an intentionality to the turtle’s pace that keeps it from rushing or racing, which is what I need. Being present in the moment is how I want to journey in this life. The turtle necklace sits underneath a coin and a pearl, representing a couple of Jesus' parables about value: the Lost Coin and the Pearl of Great Price. This necklace is a result of what I learned on my solo Camino and a daily reminder for me of what is important; as such, it represents my sobriety.

There is a scallop shell on my backpack. This is an iconic symbol of the Camino and identifies the bearer as a pilgrim. The Camino routes are marked with yellow arrows and shells that help guide the way to Santiago. My shell happens to be white and is missing the red St. James Cross. While this cross and sword symbol is important to Spain and Catholicism, it is also connected with the wars against the Moors and the mythic fable that St. James returned in the 9th century from heaven on a horse to defeat the Muslims. I’m not interested in wearing icons that combine religion and warfare, as my battle isn’t against other people. I’d rather build bridges.

The best addition to my backpack this year is a photo of my friend Wade, whose face peeks out of the eyeglass pouch on my left strap. Wade is experiencing some health issues that prevent him from walking the Camino himself, so I am keeping him and his wife, Jill, close to my heart as I walk in proxy for him. You may see his face popping up throughout this journey.

Flights to Dallas, Madrid, and San Sebastian; an Uber to Irun to our hotel, and then we walk and walk and walk!

Ultreia et Suseia - onward and upward!Læs mere