Out here we're really in our own world and we interact with one another much differently then if we were back in our everyday lives. The biggest difference is how honest we are with each other - both with our weaknesses and with our joys. Out here it's fairly common practice to ask the fellow pilgrims how they are doing? How their feet and bodies are holding up? And the most important question - la question qui tue - why are you walking the Camino? Out here people expect an honest answer because they truly care, meaning they don't want the typical "I'm fine thank you and you?" Because people are so honest and vulnerable with one another you quickly realize that everyone walking this trail has a story and a reason for walking.
Another thing you soon realize when people start being honest with one another is that everyone walking has some type of injury by now - whether it be a blister, tendonitis, and/or shin-splits. Once people realize that you're struggling with an injury they become very eager to open up to you about their own injuries and sometimes they're willing to share with you their precious supplies and how to properly care for that injury according to their own cultural customs and practices. I hate the fact that I have blisters, but I realized this afternoon that my blisters have allowed me to meet some incredible people and witness such incredible acts of selflessness.
This afternoon, after arriving at an Augustine Nun Aubergue and being greeted with tea and escorted to our room, a French woman graciously offered me better supplies to care for an open blister. After that we began talking and sharing about our different life experience. She eventually went downstairs and asked her friend, a nurse, to come help me bandage my foot. Her friend came and before I even had a chance to introduce myself, she was washing and bandaging my foot, even offering to do the same tomorrow morning. What compassion and generosity, I only hope that I can remember this lesson and put it into practice the next time I see someone in need - both on this journey and when I get back to the real world.
Below are some pictures from our time of fellowship and singing with the Nuns, what an amazingly beautiful experience! I continue to be amazed each day!
- Buen Camino
I only walked with you for 3 days and in that short time, I managed to bum from you some allergy meds, baby powder and lotion... I told you how guilty I felt for taking some of your precious supplies, but you insisted. You, my friend, embody the generous and kind spirit of the Camino.
ReplyDeleteBuen Camino!