Post Camino Reentering

I am home now. It was a long trip back from Spain, about 24 hours of travel.  I had a wonderful nights sleep but am on Camino time still so up at 2:00 am.

It feels very strange to be back in a large house. And also to have such quiet at night. Although it was amazing to be able to just get up and have a comfortable place to go so that I didn’t disturb Randy when I woke up early; it feels odd. On the Camino, one of the things I learned was to become comfortable being uncomfortable. I had to deal with someone being restless at night, or a concert of snoring (when you are the one awake it is difficult not to complain in your head even if you snore yourself).

 On the Camino there is nowhere to escape to.  YOU must find a solution, whether it is listening to white noise and risking no use of your iPhone all day because of low battery or relaxation techniques. You are in charge of staying in that twin bunk, coming up with a solution.

 I have been needing to take a walk. We have some forest closures because of forest fire danger so I have been reluctant to go for just a short walk;  my mind and body wanted a long Camino walk. I found a nice compromise with a 7 mile hike between road and forest. It was wonderful and I found it amazing how easy it is without a pack!

I had some time to reflect on the Camino. These are a few thoughts:

• The Camino is a solo journey, physically and mentally. You have to be prepared to allow your body and spirit to direct your journey.
• The Camino does provide for you. Whether it is an arrow when you are questioning if you are still on the path or someone who sees that you need a little direction. It provides solutions to problems created or lost pilgrim credentials. It brings the right person into your day when most needed. But for all that to happen you have to have an open mind, full of trust in yourself and in the Way.
• “We struggle to find life outside ourselves unaware that the life we are seeking is within us” -Kahlil Gibran.                This is the quote on the necklace my daughter Heather shared with me for the Camino. I traveled to Spain to find myself again and to figure out what “at our age” meant. Could that have happened at home as well?  Probably.  But there is a spiritual force on the Camino that happens through the gift of time for silence in your life. Now that I have experience that gift I know it has become a part of me.
• The Camino tests you physically and emotionally.  As my body got stronger, my trust in it grew. Many times in the early weeks I had to dig deep emotionally to keep going. But when I fought the battle of fatigue, I became more confident. I trusted my judgement and my body to get me where I was going.
• Having that much time walking in nature gave me a deep spiritual recharge. I don’t know how to explain it, but I have a new calmness and belief in myself again.