Friday, June 8, 2012
Up on the roof of Santiago cathedral
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
A post from Jarred.
Today we arrived in Pedrouzo after hiking approximately 20
kilometers through a very hilly terrain.
Many were sore today after experiencing the wrath of a 29 kilometer hike
yesterday which was the longest hike of this trip. However, the scenery remained beautiful as we
made our way through some enchanting wooded areas. We are now only 19 kilometers away from
Santiago which we will be embarking on tomorrow morning, early as usual. Upon arriving to Santiago, we will be hoping
to receive our compostela and our final stamp in our pilgrim’s passports to
conclude our hiking voyage. None of us
are quite sure where the past 3 weeks have gone, but as we are all starting to
reflect on our time hiking the Camino, it is easy to see that we have created
some everlasting memories just as Nanette had said we would. Wish us luck as we begin our final hike as a
group and we all look forward to seeing our families and loved ones soon. Hasta luego from Pedrouzo, Spain!
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Pilgrim's Prayer
Although I may have traveled all the roads,
crossed mountains and valleys from East to West,
if I have not discovered the freedom to be my self,
I have arrived nowhere.
Although I may have shared all of my possessions
with people of other languages and cultures;
made friends with pilgrims of a thousand paths,
or shared albergues with saints and princes,
if I am not capable of forgiving my neighbor tomorrow,
I have arrived nowhere.
Although I may have carried my pack from beginning to end
and waited for every pilgrim in need of encouragement,
or given my bed to one who arrived later than I,
given my bottle of water in exchange for nothing;
if upon returning to my home and work,
I am not able to create brotherhood
or to make happiness, peace and unity,
I have arrived nowhere.
Although I may have had food and water each day,
and enjoyed a roof and a shower every night;
or may have had my injuries well attended,
if I have not discovered in all that the love of the Divine,
I have arrived nowhere.
Although I may have seen all the monuments
and contemplated the best sunsets;
although I may have learned a greeting in every language
or tasted clean water from every fountain;
if I have not discovered who is the author
of so much free beauty and so much peace,
I have arrived nowhere.
If from today I do not continue walking the path,
searching and living according to what I have learned;
if from today I do not see in every person, friend or foe
a companion on the camino
and one of the stars in the Milky Way,
I have arrived nowhere.
Although I may have traveled all the roads,
crossed mountains and valleys from East to West,
if I have not discovered the freedom to be my self,
I have arrived nowhere.
Although I may have shared all of my possessions
with people of other languages and cultures;
made friends with pilgrims of a thousand paths,
or shared albergues with saints and princes,
if I am not capable of forgiving my neighbor tomorrow,
I have arrived nowhere.
Although I may have carried my pack from beginning to end
and waited for every pilgrim in need of encouragement,
or given my bed to one who arrived later than I,
given my bottle of water in exchange for nothing;
if upon returning to my home and work,
I am not able to create brotherhood
or to make happiness, peace and unity,
I have arrived nowhere.
Although I may have had food and water each day,
and enjoyed a roof and a shower every night;
or may have had my injuries well attended,
if I have not discovered in all that the love of the Divine,
I have arrived nowhere.
Although I may have seen all the monuments
and contemplated the best sunsets;
although I may have learned a greeting in every language
or tasted clean water from every fountain;
if I have not discovered who is the author
of so much free beauty and so much peace,
I have arrived nowhere.
If from today I do not continue walking the path,
searching and living according to what I have learned;
if from today I do not see in every person, friend or foe
a companion on the camino
and one of the stars in the Milky Way,
I have arrived nowhere.
Monday, June 4, 2012
We arrived in Sarria this afternoon after hiking around 14 kilometers
through the rolling hills of the countryside complete with wooded trails and
beautiful waterfalls. It was a nice change in terrain compared to the steep
mountains we climbed yesterday! Before our hike we visited a Benedictine monastery
and toured the grounds for about an hour. Although we did not get to hear the
great singing voice of one of the monks, the group was blessed to hear a new
and modern version of Amazing Grace sang by a few of our group members.
We celebrated Murtaza’s 24th birthday this
morning by attempting to sing Feliz Cumpleanos at breakfast and giving him a
card signed by our whole group. We have heard that there is another surprise
planned for this evening so be sure to check back later with an update!
Friday, June 1, 2012
Hola, Friends, family
(Nick: “Hi mom/family!”) and fellow readers from Taylor!
Just adding on to what John said, today we began in Astorga and bussed having several close calls to dogs, bikers, and cars that were driving on streets made for one car (how we haven’t taken out the side mirrors on any of these side streets is beyond me and a testament to how amazing bus drivers in Spain are). Today for me and many Peregrinos was the most emotionally and physically taxing today. First we stopped in Monlinaseca to look at another lovely arch bridge and Ponferrada which had a pretty awesome castle. We went to Cruz de Ferro where pilgrims leave a stone, representing the physical embodiment of a burden. Since we have done our day of silence I have been thinking a lot about burdens and how having a mental reminder can be just as heavy as a physical one. It was very moving to see the Cross built on a mound of stones that pilgrims from all around the world had left. Some had left pictures of loved ones lost, stones written with helpful proverbs, encouraging words and flags. The physical act of removing the stone from my pack and needing to place it on the cross made me think a lot about what we hold onto and why. Like many people I get stuck on my own issues and forget that sometimes what we need is to let go. Obviously it is not as simple as plopping a stone a cross and there goes your problem. By acknowledging what I had been through I felt lighter and more able bodied. And even though I did not know what my fellow pilgrims had been through I felt bounded by our own burdens. After this emotionally taxing experience we then had to climb O Cebreiro, which can be summed up into two steps. Step 1. Buy a hat, step 2. Hold the heck on. It was only 8 km but it was by the far the hardest day for me. It was a blistering day, with few clouds and no breeze. Being a Minnesota girl I am more adapt to dealing with blistering cold and not blistering heat. We were told by Tony that the first 2k would be the worst; I would argue that it was preceded by the equally terrible slight incline 6k. Many of us stopped about 2k up and stepped off the path to look at the beautiful overhang. We took several beautiful scenery photos with some very sweaty people in them. The vending machine that was at the top of the mountain was like an oasis in the middle of the desert, you do not know true love until you have had Fanta Limón after climbing a mountain (equal to having a cold cerveza in O Cebreiro). After taking a lovely break with Alex, Charlotte, and Pat we were off only to stop because Pat had forgot his staff at the bar. We all eventually made it (us being the back group) we explored the town of O Cebreiro which has a lot of Celtic influence as seen through its architecture and culture. However all is well in Spain, we did get hailed on while running into our Albergue. But! The room Charlotte and I are in looks like the Shire from Lord of the Rings. Wishing much love to everyone state side and whomever else is reading this!
Hasta Pronto!
Taylor
Just adding on to what John said, today we began in Astorga and bussed having several close calls to dogs, bikers, and cars that were driving on streets made for one car (how we haven’t taken out the side mirrors on any of these side streets is beyond me and a testament to how amazing bus drivers in Spain are). Today for me and many Peregrinos was the most emotionally and physically taxing today. First we stopped in Monlinaseca to look at another lovely arch bridge and Ponferrada which had a pretty awesome castle. We went to Cruz de Ferro where pilgrims leave a stone, representing the physical embodiment of a burden. Since we have done our day of silence I have been thinking a lot about burdens and how having a mental reminder can be just as heavy as a physical one. It was very moving to see the Cross built on a mound of stones that pilgrims from all around the world had left. Some had left pictures of loved ones lost, stones written with helpful proverbs, encouraging words and flags. The physical act of removing the stone from my pack and needing to place it on the cross made me think a lot about what we hold onto and why. Like many people I get stuck on my own issues and forget that sometimes what we need is to let go. Obviously it is not as simple as plopping a stone a cross and there goes your problem. By acknowledging what I had been through I felt lighter and more able bodied. And even though I did not know what my fellow pilgrims had been through I felt bounded by our own burdens. After this emotionally taxing experience we then had to climb O Cebreiro, which can be summed up into two steps. Step 1. Buy a hat, step 2. Hold the heck on. It was only 8 km but it was by the far the hardest day for me. It was a blistering day, with few clouds and no breeze. Being a Minnesota girl I am more adapt to dealing with blistering cold and not blistering heat. We were told by Tony that the first 2k would be the worst; I would argue that it was preceded by the equally terrible slight incline 6k. Many of us stopped about 2k up and stepped off the path to look at the beautiful overhang. We took several beautiful scenery photos with some very sweaty people in them. The vending machine that was at the top of the mountain was like an oasis in the middle of the desert, you do not know true love until you have had Fanta Limón after climbing a mountain (equal to having a cold cerveza in O Cebreiro). After taking a lovely break with Alex, Charlotte, and Pat we were off only to stop because Pat had forgot his staff at the bar. We all eventually made it (us being the back group) we explored the town of O Cebreiro which has a lot of Celtic influence as seen through its architecture and culture. However all is well in Spain, we did get hailed on while running into our Albergue. But! The room Charlotte and I are in looks like the Shire from Lord of the Rings. Wishing much love to everyone state side and whomever else is reading this!
Hasta Pronto!
Taylor
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)