“Every Camino is a New Experience” (by Lorraine)

It was brought to my attention as we talked about our Camino with the Pastors from our Central Canada District a few days ago, that our Camino revolved around the people we met.

Other pilgrims, when they report on their  Camino, may talk of the cathedrals and how totally beautiful they were. Some may focus on the awesome, majestic views of the countryside, from everywhere; on top of the mountains and looking up from the valleys.  It was impossible to look around and not give praise to God for the miracle of his creation!

But it did not occur to me, until someone made the statement, that our talk is “all about the people.” 

The cathedrals were wonderful, but after seeing so many, and not really knowing the rituals and meanings of everything in the Catholic church, after a while, we did not go out of our way to see more churches.

The countryside was spectacular! And every day I gave praise to God for the beauty of everything, from amazing sunrises, walking above the clouds, sunsets, and nature in all its wonders.

But the one who said “it’s all about the people” was so right!

We met the most wonderful people!  Some shared their life journey with us.  Some made us laugh...some made us cry. Some taught us lessons. Some will remain friends forever, thanks to easy communication. Some we will never see again, but we hope they will remember that we tried to be their friend, even though we did not know their language. You don’t need language to show you care.

We have mentioned in our talks that we very much want to go back and do this Camino again. Some say “but not the same Camino!”  “You would walk somewhere else, right?”

So now, my great “Ah ha!” moment has happened.

 

We could walk the same Camino over and over and every time it would be a new Camino! 

Why? Because we are never going to meet the same people!  This Camino was definitely all about the people for us, with cathedrals and majestic countryside as the icing on the cake! 

So when we return, when, not if, we will experience a “New Camino”!

Buen Camino!