"THE KNIGHTS TEMPLAR" (from 6/16/2014)

The Knights Templar were a brave and noble order. 

The Knights Templar were knights who dedicated themselves to being protectors of the Pilgrims on "The  Way."  They even had a series of castles along the way.  The Knights Templar eventually became so powerful that they were a threat to the Church so the order was disbanded and destroyed.  There is still one castle along the El Camino as proof of their existence.

Until Next time, with love,

Sidney

"TO COMFORT A PILGRIM" (from 6/16/2014)

In medieval times, the Pilgrimage along the Camino was very dangerous.  The trail was rugged and those who undertook it did so at great peril to themselves.

Back in those days, there was no protection from the harshness of the sun, rain, heat and cold.  There was also the danger of wolves and bandits.

Most Pilgrims didn't make it.  Sidney sat and talked with just such a poor wretched Pilgrim.  He was naked and sores covered his body.

(This Pilgrim had nothing left but his staff and the shell hanging hanging around his neck. )

This Pilgrim only made it as far as Burgos. We can't know if someone took pity and helped him or this was the end of the road.

Even in the 1400's Pilgrims had to stop and take care of their blisters.

(A Pilgrim attends  his wounded feet.)

To get to the great Cathedral in Burgos was a phenomenal feat!!  I like what my Camino Friend John Goble said about the difference between Burgos and Leon... 

(Burgos is all about the Bishops and their being buried there . . . )

(. . . while the great cathedral in Leon reflects the majesty and grandeur of God.)

Until next time, with love,

Sidney/Mom/Grandma

"THE WALKING WOUNDED" (from 6/16/2014)

Just thought you would like for know some of the "lingo" for the Camino experience . . .

People continue to walk under some really severe conditions.  In fact, most people are nursing some kind of wound.  We walk under all circumstances - blisters, turned ankles, pulled muscles, shin splints, swollen feet, knee problems, etc . . .   There is a particular lingo . . .  The limping, odd steps to relieve pain are called the "Camino Shuffle."   Taking ibuprofen for pain is called "popping the Camino Candy."   The first several steps in the morning or after a break or lunch is called "the dirty thirty," because it takes that many steps to crunch through the pain and get into your zone again.  It all seems to lessen the intense and relentless hurt. 

We are going to have a hallelujah, limply, gimpy celebration when we get to Santiago!!

Until next time, with love,

Sidney/Mom/Grandma

"WINE AND WATER FOR THE TRAIL" (from 6/16/2014)

Would you believe there is a fountain on the El Camino Trail that flows with wine and water?
It is a tradition from both faucets before you continue your Pilgrimage.  If you drink the water, you are guaranteed to arrive in Santiago "refreshed."   And, if you drink from the fountain of wine, you will arrive in Santiago full of vitality from "The Way."

Izabela and I tried both spigots so, we'll see about the refreshed and vitality part! 

Until next time, with love,

Sidney/Mom/Grandma

"MYSTERIES IN THE HEAVENS" (from 6/16/2014)

Did you know there is a place where the Wind Meets The Stars?  I want to take you back to "The Hill Of Perdon."

Giant deep throated windmills line the mountain top because the wind blows wild and free there.

(Giants hum out their deep throated song.) 

At night, it appears that the stars dance about the horizon to "meet the mountain." And to harmonize God's wonderful forces of nature, iron statues of Pilgrims quietly and resolutely march across the space where the two meet.

(With magnificent dedication, the resolute Pilgrims journey across the space 

that connects the heavens and the earth.)

Humankind has long ago assigned dreams or mysterious powers to grant wishes to the stars.  They twinkle to the beat of mysterious beauty igniting whimsical hope in our hearts.

(A "Star" is hidden in the heart of every child.) 

Into the heart of EVERY child, a special dream . . .  a star is secretly and carefully placed.  It is lying there waiting to be discovered.  And it is OUR job to discover it.

The symbolism is powerful...

We are first free in our mind , , ,  or not.  And we all have had dreams, wishes, desires that pull our heart toward that untraveled path.

The determined Pilgrims dare to strike out on the Camino to follow that deep yearning in their soul, no matter the perils.

So, we have the wild and free part of our nature that calls us to find the hidden star and to let it take us to the destiny that was proclaimed for us.

No one else can find it or live that dream for us.  Only I can unlock my special mystery and follow it. We may feel that someone else should make us happy.  We may even resent someone who is in pursuit of their dream because we feel so empty when we have ignored that calling within ourselves.
Regardless of our age, our star  lies there waiting to be discovered.  It is OUR job to discover it.

I am free to FOLLOW MY STAR . . .  follow my passion and discover why I roam this earth.
Walking the Camino, like those early Pilgrims, I discover it is me and the intent of my life that harmonizes and brings together the wild freedom of my own sacred journey and that bright and shining star.

Just know that "YOU HAVE A STAR TO FOLLOW.  AND YOU MUST CLAIM THAT PASSION AND DARE TO LIVE IT WITH YOUR WHOLE HEART."

(Izabela is awed and inspired by the fierce determination of this early Pilgrim). 

Until next time, with love,

Sidney/Mom/Grandma

THE FRIENDS YOU MEET AND JOUSTERS ON THE BRIDGE (from 6/12/2014)

Today we traveled from Mazarife to San Justo de la Vega. We have now walked 322.5 miles.

(Our El Camino Passport is already full on one side- the proof we WALKED the trail.)

Izabela and I left our warm, cozy Albergue San Antonio with some sadness.  We had a communal meal last night, and we were all so happy.  A room full of people on a common Pilgrimage with as many different reasons as there were people in the room.

(A room full of deeply connected Pilgrims.
All with a common goal but for many different reasons.)

Last night I finally had to do something about THE Blisters.  (This is for you Jimmie - just don't report me to the Medical Police).  These pesky things could not be ignored any more.  Nurse Izabela prepared the operating area and laid out all the "stuff" needed for the procedure.  I was sweating.  I was going to have to go "in" with the needle and thread, after everything was sterilized, of course. 

(It's hard to operate on yourself. But, I have become a proponent 

for the needle and thread technique. Results merited the faith.)

There were so many "gifts" in this day. Walking along at a pretty good clip, we passed our Doctor Mauricio Landaveme from El Salvador.  I was musing to myself "I really wanted to ask him why he was walking the Camino.  Oh, but I've already passed him and it hurts to backtrack.  Yeah, but he is such a good and compassionate man, it would be worth it.  And I am always telling people "Opportunities Pass."  So I turned back and asked him.

Here was his response.

(Mauricio shares why he is walking the El Camino.)

Mauricio has retired and has decided he wants to walk around the world.  He especially wants to walk around Jerusalem.  His wife was Jewish and he so appreciated her dedication to her faith.  He wishes to do that to honor her and to learn all he can.

Mauricio was walking with Shamus, the Irish man.  Shamus had JUST started his Pilgrimage in Leon and immediately pulled a muscle in his calf, disabling him. Mauricio had a special ointment, applied it and massaged the pulled muscle.  He continued to walk with Shamus for a spell to make sure he would be OK. 

When Shamus was asked why he walked El Camino, he responded from his heart.

(Shamus tenderly shares his reason.)

"ANOTHER MAGICAL MOMENT ON CAMINO"

I said to Shamus, "So, Shamus, we know all Irishmen/women can sing; is that true of you?"  Mauricio jumped in, "Shamus has WONDERFUL voice.  He must sing now."

Shamus sang with such tenderness and forlorn love, it brought color and life to our small world on the path.  It was so sweet, it lured Irena and Jenny (from Australia) to come drink in the moment. 

(Shamus etched rainbows in our minds with the yearning in this song . . .

you will recognize it.  This is our gift to you today from El Camino)

As so often happens, Pilgrims will join each other to share a walk with conversation then go on at their own gait.  Irena and Jenny joined Izabela and me, and they graciously answered the "Why?" question.  

(Irena gently shared her very personal reason. 

Listen to her heart and what she does not say.)

(Jenny had personal and compelling reasons for this Pilgrimage.)

There is no one right reason.  Each Pilgrim decides from their own secret place.  And if they don't know now, they will know by the end.  The Camino will force it out of us. 

As it always happens, walking and sharing at a deep level builds an immediate bound. We walked along learning about each other's lives, our mutual heartaches and fears as well as great joys.

We were drawing  close to the legendary town of Hospital De Orbigo and the Jousting of the famous Knight.  I must tell you the story. 

(Don Suero de Quinones still lives in the banners of the town he made famous.)

But there is more to this legend. Don Suero fell madly in love with a beautiful woman. She did not return his affections . . .  In fact she scorned him.  With a bruised ego, a scorned honor, and a broken heart, Don Seuro threw down the Gauntlet to any Knight who approached this great bridge. 

(The gauntlet hit the ground and brave Knights from all over Europe 

galloped to the challenge.)

Any Knight that approached this bridge did so as if riding into the raging jaws of death since Seuro swore to defend it with  all his might  (which was great).  He defended the bridge until 300 lances were broken.  With his ego, heart, and honor restored, Don Seuro galloped off with his trusted  comrades to Santiago de Compostela for their blessing. 

(The Bridge still stands today. There is a yearly festival with actual jousting reenacted just as they happened in olden days.) 

(Don Seuro decorates many-a wall as he sits astride his great steed.) 

It is said that if you get down and put your ear to the bridge road you can still hear the thundering hooves of Magnificent Knights on their horses as they clash. 

(I had to find out.  It is true.. I could hear the hoof beats!!!)

Irena, Jenny, Izabela and I ate lunch together because we hated to part. Irena and Jenny were staying with Don Seuro and his crowd. 

(Parting is such sweet sorrow . . .  This patient Pilgrim took all the photos we wanted.  He said he had no choice with so many BEEA-U-TI-FUL LADIES!   awwwww . . . )

Izabela and I hit the trail.  

(What every Pilgrim thrills to see.  Village roof tops. 

That means food, drink and rest!) 

My hat is "the rage" up and down the trail. It literally stops people in their tracks. 

(People want to touch my hat and hear about the "Worry Dolls.")

Back on the trail... There they are again. Those dreaded ROCKS!!  With the blisters the rocks are especially painful. And they stretched on for another 5 Miles.

(The little Road of Pain... My heart sank to the ground.)

Well! Little did I know that this tortuous path led to a little bit of magic . . .  Or maybe I should say a lot of magic.  At the end of the rocky road and at the top of the hill, was a little fruit stand.  But it was no ordinary stand.  No siree . . .  David, the free spirit dwelled there. 

(Say hello to a truly free and simple spirit.)

David has done the Camino several times. Sometimes with no money, sometimes with some money.  He developed an eloquent and simple philosophy of life as a result of how he was treated on the Trail. 

(David shares his philosophy and it is honorable. I hope it spreads and "catches on.")

He does not charge for the fruits or treats but accepts only donations so he can replenish his offerings.  He is truly an innocent spirit.  David has only a bed here covered on two sides, one pan and water.  He said when he went on Pilgrimage without money, people didn't want him around.  Instead of being angry or bitter, he started sharing with Pilgrims and has done so for over 5 years.  I admire David's desire to pass along his philosophy . . .  "To share and to help each other."  It was another "story book" encounter.   It forced me to contemplate the complexity of my life. 

From David's stand, Izabela and I painstakingly picked our way to a large cross surrounded by a peaceful garden.  The large cross was perched high above the city of Santo Toribio.  It stands, unbeaten by weather or obstacles, as a promise of God's constant presence in our life when we allow it. 

(We were standing on Holy Ground, and my heart opened wide 

and breathed out a thanksgiving). 

I cripple on into Santo Toribio, grateful that me and those blisters had made peace and we made it through the day.  The thread was still holding!

Until next time, with love, 

Sidney/Mom/Grandma

THE MARKERS FOR "THE WAY" (from 6/12/2014)

I want to share one of the lesser known stories about the Camino that makes a significant difference. "The Way," the El Camino Trail is marked by yellow arrows that might be on the road, a building, the side of a house, a curb . . .   Just a plethora  of places!  This is how we Pilgrims "find our way."  Because some yellow arrows are hidden behind growth, or faded or small, it is easy to get lost. And let me tell you, you don't want to get lost on foot and have to backtrack.  But the arrows are something you learn to count on and can usually find.

(Don Elias Valina Sanpedro invented "the Way" Markers. 

Sanpedro was a Parish Priest dedicated to restoring and preserving the integrity of the El Camino Route.  In fact, he is the one who came up with the idea to mark the route with YELLOW ARROWS.  I can't over stress  the importance of this simple but profoundly helpful idea.  And ALL Pilgrims are grateful for that.

One sees them in all kinds of places.  These markers help keep us on course.  Without the yellow arrows, we would surely get lost.

(Markers - some markers can send opposing direction and be confusing)

(Markers - some can appear in unexpected places)

(Markers - some markers can be faded, dim, jaded)

(Markers - Some markers can be bold and demanding...with no mistaking the intent)

(Markers - Some can be neat and inviting)

(Markers - Some  can hold a mystery that begs the question "why?"

So I look at these Camino markers (and they are everywhere) as a great metaphor for life. We have many markers in our lives . . .   Getting our education; preparing for a career or discovering our passion; searching for our true love; having children: some markers are positive, some are tragic . . . The loss of a loved one; divorce; having children; loss of a job; growing older and wiser; and so many others.

As a Pilgrim, we have to be alert to find the arrows before we go too far down the path.  It is more difficult to walk BACK than it is to take a small amount of time necessary to make sure we are following the correct marker.

I have a personal philosophy that to be wholly who I am or supposed to be, I must "follow my star."  I must find that "thing" that makes me whole and it is what I was created for.   Then I must commit myself to it and follow it with my whole heart.  I must follow it without allowing other interruptions to entice me off course.

So, just consider your "markers," and follow the star that is true to your heart.   Those yellow arrows can lead you to some pretty exciting places.

Until next time, with love,

Sidney/Mom/Grandma