Will I Be Someone that Speaks-up? Stands-up? Or, Shuts-up?

I've always been a bit intense, determined, and passionate. There have been times when this drive was somewhat unhealthy; for instance, when I would be training on the treadmill at the St. Denis Centre (University of Windsor) and I would see someone running at a faster speed than me, I would increase my speed just a wee bit so as to not be outdone. There were also my silent dinners with my grandma following a basketball game loss. You see, my grandma was probably my biggest basketball fan and in the dead of winter she would take a Greyhound bus 6 hours (roundtrip) to come watch me play. Often after a game she would take me for dinner and if we had lost the game, you could be sure that I wouldn't say a word, except to say how I would right the situation in the next game, until the end of our shared dessert. Then there are the healthy examples, such as when I worked at camp I would get fired up about our "at-risk" campers and how we could make their one week at camp the best experience ever for them. I can remember being a case worker at a group home for Child and Family Services and I regularly felt like I was having my heart ripped out every time I heard a gut-wrenching tale of abuse. It's there I decided I had to do everything possible to work with these type of youth once I became a teacher. This passion, ultimately helped me get involved with the Muskoka Woods Leadership Program while at Grad School, and drove me to essentially complete an internship with the school board and write a 300+ page thesis.... Again, intensity, determination and passion have marked many of my life's decisions and actions.

Anyone who knows me would say that Social Action has always been important to me. A friend of mine often asks, "What are you doing to change the world this week?" I usually answer that I'm not doing anything extraordinary, I'm just trying to be faithful and give back to my community in ways that have been placed on my heart and with the gifts that have been given to me. I'm not sharing these things with you to toot my own horn, but rather show you that I've always been someone who gets fired up easily when I feel passionate about something; this way you won't mistake what's been stirring in my heart for the past 2 years as a "Camino" moment that will pass in a few weeks once school starts back-up!

Two years ago I watched a documentary called: Nafarious, Merchant of Souls and truth be told I haven't been the same since. The documentary looks at the disturbing trends of sex-trafficking, an atrocity that isn't just happening over there in Eastern Europe and in Asian countries, but that is happening in Canada, the US and across the world. In fact, there are approximately 27 million victims of human trafficking worldwide (The A21 Campaign); with over 43% of all victims being sexually trafficked (UN Global Compact Fact Sheet). There are countries where this systematic abuse is happening out in the open, while in other countries its more hidden, to the point where the public wouldn't dare suspect that this is happening in their neighbourhood. Slowly I've been becoming more informed and sensitive to the issue, but unfortunately until recently, I never felt that it was necessarily my cause to fight for. And then, I started hiking across Spain! I remember hiking into big cities - but especially in Léon - and seeing giant billboards as you entered the city featuring a young woman, probably no older than 16 years-old wearing very little and positioned very seductively and written in two different languages below this girl was:"For a sexy night in the hottest city call..." I was disgusted to the point where I can no longer ignore this problem! That young woman could have been one of my students - and more importantly she is someone's daughter.

When I hear stories about young girls systematically being taken, then sold and raped 30-40 times per day, my heart breaks and I feel overwhelmed by the magnitude of the problem. But what can I do? I'm simply one person.... As a teacher, I try to encourage my students to not use this as an excuse for not doing the right thing; so why should I? Edward Everett Hale (1902?) once said: "I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something...What I can do, I should do..."

Last year when studying the problem of bullying with my grade 8's I told them that when they see, hear and learn about cases of bullying in our school they have 3 realistic options:

• Option 1: Speak-up for the cause/victim.
• Option 2: Stand-up for the cause/victim.
• Option 3: Shut-up and let the problem continue. 

In all honesty our society is faced with these same 3 options in response to the problem of human and sex trafficking! In 2003, the United Nations implemented the Palermo Protocol, which outlines 20 Articles aimed at Preventing (speaking-up) and Protecting (standing-up) people from human trafficking, as well as Prosecuting (standing-up) the perpetrators of these heinous violations of human rights. Carol Brusca (2011) has examined the effectiveness of this UN protocol and adds that educating and making people aware of the stories and the issue will be the cornerstone to preventing (and eventually ending) human trafficking in 21st century. Nowhere is it suggested that society turn a blind eye and pretend like the problem of slavery is a thing of the past and no longer exists!

I for one can no longer choose to look the other way and ignore this issue! So, I'm going to choose to speak-up and stand-up, which is why you've probably seen some different Facebook quotes in recent days! Getting involved will look different for each person. My friends that live in Winnipeg's West-End, where sadly a lot of juvenile prostitution takes place, have motion lights and helpline posters plastered on that back of their fence so that these victims know that help is available. There are a lot of great local and international organizations doing amazing work that could always use support (see links). In this next season I'm curious to see how my gifts, along with my fiery-drive, will be used to get involved in this fight!

- Buen Camino

Links:

Manitoba Provincial Initiative: http://www.gov.mb.ca/fs/traciastrust/index.html

Quebec Local Initiative: http://www.maisondemarthe.com/1_francais/Accueil.html

International: The A21 Campaign : http://www.thea21campaign.org/index.php#.Ug_ozWTwJFt

International: Exodus Cry: http://exoduscry.com/

A Picture's Worth a 1000 Words

I arrived home last Thursday from my 6 week adventure across parts of France and Spain. I was surprised at the airport by my dear friends, who made signs with yellow arrows and St. James shells for me, so that I would be able to find my way home!

My friends also graciously went grocery shopping for me, buying me some of my favourite things (i.e., chocolate milk and strawberries), so that I could comfortably settle in at home and rest. I'm not sure I've done all that much resting - I've been waking up between 5 and 6 am since arriving, and have already been biking and hiking twice since arriving home. Nonetheless, I was very touched by their generosity and despite being tired, it was great to be able to catch up with them.

A lot of people have been asking me about my "trip." Questions such as: how was it? What was it like? Did you enjoy it? What was your favourite part? When can I see pictures? You know the typical questions one would ask anyone returning home from a long trip. Normally I would have no troubles answering these questions, but this time I find myself a little lost for words. Hiking the Camino wasn't your typical trip! Instead, it was a transformational experience. I don't know just yet what has changed, but I know that I feel different. 

It's hard to put into words the things that I did, saw and experienced during my 34 days of walking, which is approximately 900 km. I could show you pictures and tell you stories, but I'm not sure to truly do those moments justice. The Camino gave me a lot of time - time to see beautiful things, time to meet amazing people, time to experience joy, time to be grateful, time to relax, to laugh, to cry, to reflect, to pray and then laugh again! I hope this video captures some of that! I've used the song Stand By Me, because my Camino Family and I would often start randomly singing that song at the start/end of the day, in supermercados, in coffee shops....pretty much anywhere and everywhere! It sort of became the unofficial theme song of the journey, because you really can't do this journey alone! Enjoy!

http://youtu.be/Ku2Uvki-Bu0

- Buen Camino

On My Way Home

 I officially have  began my 3 day journey home. Last week when I arrived in Santiago I wasn't ready to go home, but after walking to the end of the world - Finisterre - watching the sunset and relaxing on the beach for a few days, I am now ready to come home. Walking these last 100 km has brought closure to this journey. When I arrived in Finisterre I felt that it was the end and that I didn't need to walk anymore. In fact, the last 3 days were quite different from the rest of the journey - it was more of a celebration and a time of joy and laughter, rather then moments of reflection, introspection and prayer, which had been so present during my Camino.

In someways ending the journey was almost as hard as starting it. The hardest part about heading home isn't the packing, the traveling, or even the jet-leg, it's saying goodbye. Ironically, 6 weeks ago I was anxious about starting this adventure because I would be alone, and yet last night was the first night I was by myself in an albergue the entire trip. Even there I spent the evening running into familiar faces from the Camino in Santiago, which was nice! 

The "goodbye process" officially started last Wednesday when we arrived in Santiago, as various members of my Camino family started to leave for home. Yesterday, I had to say my last, and by far my hardest, goodbye to Szabi, aka "Mr Compostelle," the person I began this journey with 5 weeks ago, which out here feels like a lifetime, as the concept of time just seems to stop. 

We both knew this goodbye would have to happen at one point, but we were both kind of dreading it. There were not a lot words, as we have had 900 km to say anything and everything to one another. Instead, there was a deep level of appreciation and recognition for what the other (and the many others) had contributed to each others individual journey. It was a beautiful moment that I will treasure forever. 

A good friend once gave me a magnet with a famous quote that talks about the different people that come in and out of our lives. It says that throughout our lives we will encounter different people that will leave footprints in our lives. Sometimes these people will stay for a few moments, while others will stay a lifetime; regardless of the amount of time, people have the ability to leave lasting footprints in our lives. On my Camino I walked with people for a few moments, a few days, and for the entire journey, each of these people have shaped my experience and have left a footprint on my life. 

These people don't just exist on the Camino, they exist in our daily lives! They are our family, our friends, our coworkers, our teammates, our neighbours, or simply the person we briefly smile and say hello to as we happen to cross paths. These people mark our lives and fill our hearts - and today I am filled with a great amount of gratitude for these people. 

I started this journey nearly 6 weeks ago searching for direction in this next season of my life. And as I left my hiking shoes at the entrance of the Cathedral and board the plane, I feel that my heart is full and that it is time to come home! I also left 6 weeks ago with multiple flight delays and today my first flight to Paris was delayed for over 1 hour - hopefully it's the last of the delays because I'm ready to come home!

- Buen Camino

Day 31: The Last 5 km to Santiago

After nearly 800 km I have finally arrived in Santiago! Truth be told, I could have arrived here a day earlier, but I decided to stay in the super-albergue in Monte del Gozo; which holds over 400 pilgrims and was built in honour of Pope John Paul II visit in 1993 (ish). The night before arriving in Santiago, I sat at the top of the hill and watched the sunset over the city with a group of pilgrims. It was an interesting experience because we were so close to our "end-goal," meaning Santiago, the thing we had been walking towards for weeks (some months), and yet none of us were in a hurry to get there. The reality is that it was never about arriving in Santiago - it wa simply a destination - it's been about the journey.

Yesterday, I received my Compostela, a certificate that said that I made this pilgrammage and to be honest it was a very proud moment. This certificate, along with all my stamps represents the people I have met, the kilometers that I have walked, the tears that I have shed and the overwhleming amount of joy that I have felt. I then celebrated the Pilgrim's Mass with my fellow pilgrims in the most beautiful cathedral. It was a beautiful moment and we even had the privilege of seeing the Botafumeiro, which is a giant swinging incense burner that provides people with a blessing and is only used on special occasions. Afterwards our first series of goodbyes took place. Some of us are going on to Finisterre, so we still have 3 days of walking (100 km) ahead of us. But for others, this was the end of this particular journey. Tomorrow I will be going on to Finisterre, but before I move on to the next adventure I want to take time and enjoy this city and reflect upon this journey that has been on my heart since February. I will leave you will an excerpt from journal yesterday upon arriving in Santiago - it's part reflection and part thank you to all the people that have helped me get here! 

I did it - or should I say WE did it! I use we because I was certainly never truly alone out here. I was constantly walking with God and in His presence. There was also my Camino Family, who taught me about: love, laughter, integrity and generosity. There were the French women, Agnès and Geneviève, who were so gentle and gracious. Although we met in the last part of the Camino, they were an integral part of this journey, and they taught me about perseverance, selflessness, joy and taking my time to enjoy every moment. There were the hospitalaros who cared for me physically and often times emotionally. There were also the other pilgrims that I shared the trail with, who I simply shared a smile or a kind word with, but with whom I ultimately shared this experience with. Finally, there were my family and friends back home who prayed and encouraged me! Without each of these people and without God's strength, I would never have accomplished this feat. I am lost for words. Nonetheless, my heart is full and a bit sad. But I am reminded of the words of the German woman (pilgrim) who said to me earlier today: although this journey is ending today in Santiago, a new adventure is about to begin back home. That is because we leave this place and this experience forever changed. 

- Buen Camino

The End is Near and I'm Feeling....

The end of this incredible journey is insight; in fact we are only 67 km away, which could technically be done in two days. With the end now in sight there are a mix of emotions that many of us are feeling... exhaustion, annoyance, nostalgia, pride, saddeness,  apprehensiveness. As such, my friends and I are planning to take our time for these last few kilometres and arrive in Santiago early in the morning of July 31st, after catching one last sunrise, as oppose to rushing through these last kilometres.

It's hard to put into words right now exactly how I'm feeling; especially because so many things have changed since entering these last 100 km before Santiago. The first noticeable change is be arrival of the "Tourist-Pilgrims." These are the people that have decided to walk parts or the entire last 100 km. Typically these individuals are not well liked or tolerated on the Camino because they tend to: be loud, take "short cuts" (i.e., the bus), and cause the albergues to fill up quickly. One can quickly find themself annoyed with these 4-day pilgrims - and I have. But if there's one thing this experience has taught me it's to not judge others and to respect the fact that everyone is on their own individual journey - which will look very different from my own journey! With that said, I'm trying really hard to be welcoming to the new pilgrims and I'm trying to encourage my friends to do the same. My highlight today was talking to 2 teenage girls that started today and who were so excited to practice their English with me. One of the girl's even tried carrying my bag for about 200 meters - it was very sweet! 

In many ways the arrival of these new pilgrims and all the noise that they bring with them, is helping us get ready for our reintegration into the real world, which for some people is starting to feel a bit overwhelming. It's as though the next 4 days were intentionally trying to teach us how to incorporate the lessons learned during the past 700 km into our daily lives. 

With the end being so near it's truly a bitter-sweet moment that many of us pilgrims are living. Four weeks ago, when we were nursing horrible blisters and aching muscles/bones, many of us probably thought the end couldn't come sooner. Now with just 67 km to go, many of us are trying to figure out the best way to drag out these last few kilometres. Personally I want to live these last few days like I have for the last 28 days - appreciating and being awestruck throughout the day, which is even possible in the freezing rain, with a ripped poncho! 

    My mountain view from 2 days ago!  

So ya, the end is near and I'm feeling....exhausted, annoyed, nostalgic, proud, sad, apprehensive... But most of all, I'm excited for what's still left to come - both out here and back home!

- Buen Camino

Foot Care and Feet Washing

I hate feet! I find that they are disgusting, ugly and most of all they smell. I hate when people touch my feet. And most of all, I hate when people play with their feet in front of me or worse in public places.

My distain for feet, like many things, has been changed while walking The Camino. Right now for example, someone is out here patching up their feet. It's funny, here one of the first questions people will ask one another is: "How are your feet holding up?" One of the first things people will do when they take a coffee or lunch break is take off their shoes and socks - and we do it at the table. And of all the different injuries people are nursing out here it's the feet that tend to get the most attention. I personally spend about 30 minutes a day caring for my feet, which is more time then I spend back home getting ready to go out or go to work. 

So why all attention on our feet? It's because feet represent a pilgrim's vulnerability, weakness and limitations. This is not the first time I hear this, but it is the first time that it makes sense. Growing up I heard the story of Jesus washing his disciples feet many times. In fact, I have probably come to take this act of servanthood and humility for granted, not realizing in what condition these men's feet would have been in. As pilgrims, we travel down gravel, dirt and rock-filled roads for nearly 30 km, in hiking shoes/boots; and at the end of the day our feet are in horrible conditions - I don't even want to touch my own feet! 

These aren't my feet, rather the person beside me. 

Jesus and His disciples traveled down roads in similar, possibly worse, conditions and distances; muchmore, they did this in SANDLES! Their feet had to be a terrible sight and yet He humbled himself and did a servants job! Wow, this act has taken a whole new level of what it means to serve and care for others. 

Interestingly enough, last night I attended a Pilgrim's Blessing, and there was a line in one of the prayers specifically addressing feet saying my exact thought about feet representing "vulnerability, weakness and limitations." This is so true! It's very hard to walk and move forward in your journey if you have any sort of injury on your feet - be it an infection, a blister, a stress fracture. This is why it is so important to properly wash and care for the feet, because without them we're essentially paralyzed. At the end of the blessing, the Augustinien Priest washed each of our feet, being sure to carefully dry them and even give them a symbolic kiss at the end. I was moved by the care that he showed us. There was no judgment or reaction for the condition of our feet, just a desire to care for us, to give our tired feet rest, and a gentle reminder to serve and care for one another no matter our condition or life situation. Again, it gives this Bible story that I grew up hearing a whole new meaning!

Time to go support and encourage some of the new members of the Blister Gang! 

- Buen Camino

Finding Joy in the Unexpected!

Today was by far one of my best experiences on the Camino. We woke up "late," meaning that we woke up at 5:45 instead of 5:30 am. By the time we taped up our feet, packed our bags and ate a bit of breakfast it was nearly 7 am. Normally we would be ansy to get on the road, but today nobody seemed to mind. We had about 16 km to do before getting to arriving in the city of Astorga, where we would be meeting Olivier for our morning coffee break, Sophie's "copin" who is visiting her for the "week-end" from Toulouse.

As we were nearing the 10 km mark of our hike we noticed a little wooden kiosque parked in front of a seeming run-down farmer's house. At first we didn't really pay much attention to it and figured that perhaps the farmer would have some cold drinks and if we were lucky some fruit to sell us, which happens from time to time on the trail. To our surprise it wasn't a vendor, but rather an Oasis parked in the middle of nowhere that aimed to nourish pilgrims - both in terms of their bodies, but also their spirits. As we arrived in front of this stand we were warmly greeted by a man who informed us that we could gladly take anything on the cart and that his sole intention was to bless us for the journey that still lie ahead. This man freely offered us a gift and expected nothing in return. We sat there for nearly 30 minutes talking with one another, while enjoying fresh organic fruit, hot coffee, hazelnut milk, cookies and the best part, peanut butter and whole-wheat bread! These comfort foods are things that we sometimes take for granted back home; yet out here, they are precious, unexpected and joyful moments. This act of generosity was a highlight and a life lesson for many pilgrims today, many if whom spent the next 6 km discussing about how unexpected this was. 

As we entered Astorga, we were greeted by a musician sitting at the foot of a statue of a cross offering up prayers for the pilgrims entering the city and continuing on their journey. Once again this was a unexpected moment that I could have easily overlooked and not appreciated if I was in a rush to get to my destination as soon as possible, rather than try to appreciate the present. 

Typically when we stop following a long stretch, we rest for about 30-45 minutes - the time to drink a coffee, air our feet, use the washroom and fill up our water bottles - but today we were in no rush to get anywhere. We ended up resting for nearly an hour before deciding to "leave" the city. As we were leaving we were previe to a small parade with giant mascots and music - again, so unexpected, but such a gift! Before leaving Astorga we had one more stop - The Chocolate Museum! For 2€ we got to see the historical evolution of the Spanish chocolate industry, before being able to taste various types of delicious chocolate. Nearly 2 hours later we were finally on our way out of the city, to complete the 15 km that still remained. 

Because of all of our breaks, detours and unexpected moments we arrived in the albergue nearly 3 hours later than normal; but we were so happy and in awe of all the different things that we got to experience today! Far too often I try to control every aspect of my life, meaning that my days are typically jam-packed with multiple activities. As such, there is very little room to be amazed by the unexpected moments that God wants me to see and experience; meaning that I won't stop and have a coffee being offered to me by a complete stranger, or listen to a man playing guitar, or take a longer break to visit and eat chocolate. I found so much joy and amazement today in the unexpected, which is how I want to live each day!

- Buen Camino