The Camino De Santiago/The Appalachian Trail/A Walk Around the Block~~
What do these three things have in common? Well, having just watched "A Walk in the Woods" for the second time recently(and liked it) and having previously read the book (and loved it), as is my wont to do, this morning I left the familiar landscapes of Tamarac and visited a stretch of the Camino hearing the birds singing along the trail....and at times joined back up on the Appalachian trail at a particularly pleasant vista only to again rejoin my partner and our Dog Sparky and be walking along the homes in Tamarac.
When you read/travel/imagine you can be anywhere in the world....anytime.
This morning I asked Richard to stop at one point and pointed out as I told him to take a single step forward... "this is exactly what it feels like to walk along the Appalachian Trail...or the Camino." Or to go through life....or to take the journey of Cancer. It's always the same...just one step in front of the other....Not looking too far ahead...but enjoying the moment of each step and the nearby vistas, the nearby sounds, and the nearby beauty. What lies ahead, unknown, has no power in the moment. "To See Beauty is to Create Beauty"
gJohn
Written by
greatjohn
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
I loved it. I also loved Shirley Mclaine's "Camino". I feel the deepest sympathy for people that do not read. It really does "give one wings"...much more so than Red Bull...LOL.
The last Shirley MacLaine I read was "Out on a Limb." I absolutely loved it, but have not even heard of "Camino." I have heard of, but not read, "The Miracle." I will move it up on my list and definitely add "Camino." Thank you!
Mike and Richard make their way to the shrine of St. James the Apostle in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.
It is a journey on foot of over 160 miles. Pilgrims before us, over centuries’ time, in sandals, have hardened the path to the martyr.
We hike through noisy villages, past mountain passes and shepherds eating sandwiches by their flocks.
We don’t talk much, but we nod, thrilled by the adventure we are sharing, legs strong even for old guys.
When we come across other pilgrims, we ignore them. They may have stories, but they don’t exist.
At night we stay in inns and sleep well, owing to the rigors of the path we are on, the Manchega wine we purchase in unlabeled bottles, and the books we read ourselves to sleep by.
I am reading Cervantes. Every page is a sky spanked with stars. Three pages and I am gone.
This is the life, my friend. We left the dogs at home. They will be fine, we decided, and this is what we need -- the Spanish dirt, the rutted roads, the journey toward something bigger than ourselves, bigger than the blisters we bandage every day.
Except -- I am not with you. I can’t walk a mile per day, much less fifteen. Everything is impossible for now. I am home with Lucy, sitting in the den, writing you this letter.
But in my heart I am breathing that air with you, my brother. Something great will sanctify us at the end of the journey,
I will stand with you, on that mountain trail, forever.
Great post, Greatjohn, I did the Camino Frances from Sarria to Santiago de Compestela(112km) in Sept with my son/his wife. It was a beautiful, life affirming experience. I want to do the entire Camino someday.
Bill and I did it too after his first round of Chemo. We did the yuppie version with supports from Fresco Tours but we earned our certificates and now have a clear path to heaven(😌). frescotours.com/tours-kinde.... They call the Kinder Camino but it made it possible for us.
But, really, it is always the Camino no matter where you are...
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Next step
ONE YEAR POST RADIOTHERAPY
