One step....the Camino De Santiago/a ... - Advanced Prostate...

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One step....the Camino De Santiago/a walk around the block

greatjohn profile image
22 Replies

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

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greatjohn
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22 Replies
Tmetz profile image
Tmetz

Thank you for this!

Bethpage profile image
Bethpage

I have had "A Walk in The Woods" on my reading and/or listening list forever. Now I'll follow through. Thanks! And wishing you happy holidays!

greatjohn profile image
greatjohn in reply toBethpage

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.

gJ

greatjohn profile image
greatjohn in reply toBethpage

you might add "The Miracle" by Irving Wallace. It seemed particularly fitting on this "C" journey.

big hugs.

gJohn

Bethpage profile image
Bethpage in reply togreatjohn

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!

Lyubov profile image
Lyubov

Beautiful! Thank you for this gift, greatjohn!

kmack57 profile image
kmack57

Well said, I appreciate it my brother!

Danielgreer profile image
Danielgreer

Thanks greatjohn, very inspiring! I have a beach walk I do regularly with headphones listening to music and it completely transports me.

Cisco99 profile image
Cisco99

Beautiful!

Cisco99 profile image
Cisco99

Camino de Santiago

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.

greatjohn profile image
greatjohn in reply toCisco99

Beautiful....keep "breathing that same air"....in your heart.

greatjohn profile image
greatjohn in reply toCisco99

I just read your latest post and am still trying to imagine the cat landing on it's side.

J.

NWLiving profile image
NWLiving in reply toCisco99

Food for the soul- thank you and greatjohn.

Litlerny profile image
Litlerny

Beautifully said GJ. Thanks for sharing the imagery and sentiments.

dockam profile image
dockam

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.

spanishforcamino.com/2019/0...

youtube.com/watch?v=qxa851v...

Fight On Brothers

Randy

NWLiving profile image
NWLiving

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...

greatjohn profile image
greatjohn in reply toNWLiving

How great!

Good energy. Thanks for the inspiration!

Moespy profile image
Moespy

If you haven't seen this movie I think you will love it. I did, twice!

imdb.com/title/tt1441912/

greatjohn profile image
greatjohn in reply toMoespy

Thanks. Will look for it.

Moespy profile image
Moespy

Here are 3 favorite books that you may enjoy...

Following Atticus

amazon.com/Tom-Ryan-Forty-E...

AWOL on the Appalachian Trail

amazon.com/AWOL-Appalachian...

Wild

amazon.com/Wild-Found-Pacif...

j-o-h-n profile image
j-o-h-n

Garbage day I guess.......

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Tuesday 12/17/2019 6:07 PM EST

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