At the San Diego airport, July 15, 2013
It's now been over a month since Dad and I returned to San Diego from our Camino, and I'm still processing all that we experienced. As I realized after the last walk in 2011, the journey continues far beyond the completion. I'll continue making more ex-votos -- the heart, leg, arm, spine, stomach, bladder, breasts, uterus/ovaries, and kidney ex-votos that we left represented healing stories and ancient traditions. I'm also organizing PowerPoint presentations about the Camino and the art/architecture along the path. Dad will be volunteering again this fall for the San Diego State basketball team -- all the players are amazed he's walked on the Camino twice! He continues to inspire me with our walks around the neighborhood and on nearby trails.
Over the course of this summer's trip, Dad and I had an ongoing conversation about the definition of a 'true pilgrim.' Perhaps the meaning can best be expressed through examples of 'Camino spirit' embodied by people we met --
- Trekkers and Spanish/French locals who were always there to help us, such as Andre and Beatrice in France who guided us through a wheat field to reach Aroue after the path became unclear.
- Those who willingly shared their 'stories' at L'Esprit du Chemin refuge, including Americans Kip and Brook, who were walking with an openness to discovery, purpose, and healing.
- The Basque gentleman Ignacio, who sang well wishes for all of us in Orisson before we departed.
- Walkers who could push onward despite pains and strains, such as Paulina from Australia who walked barefoot over the Napoleon Route from St. Jean when her blisters became unbearable.
- Pilgrims who walked the trail as 'healers,' such as Laura from England who worked on Dad's shin.
- Trekkers who had been walking on the Road for months, literally stepping out from their homes in Belgium, Ireland, etc. to reach Santiago.
Until next time, Ultreia & Buen Camino!
