Choices are the hinges of destiny.
Pythagoras
Monday Sept 23, 2019
Sarria to Portomarin
24 km, 36,000 steps, walking day #33
I was talking to Paul from Ottawa at breakfast this morning. He had been based in Ottawa with the Canadian Armed Forces. He retired after 36 years of service. When you retire from the CAF, they will pay to settle you anywhere in Canada that you want. (I'm sure certain conditions apply but we didn't go into that). He said that after a career of having all the decisions made for him, making the decision about where to live was too difficult, so he stayed in Ottawa. (Please see blog from Aug 26th, 2019 entitled "Thoughts on Freedom" where I discuss that concept).
After we talked, I thought about Martin from South Africa. After dinner in Fonfria he brought his guitar out into the sitting area and was playing quietly. I had brought my tablet out into the sitting area and was writing, and enjoying listening to him play. A woman came and began talking to Martin. She interrupted his playing with provocative, shallow and generally irksome talk. I watched him being polite but not thrilled. I soon tired of the scene and returned to my room. When I saw him at breakfast, I complimented him on how patient and tolerant he was with the woman. He replied that he would have preferred to remain alone, playing his guitar. I asked him why he didn't say so at the time. He said he had to decide whether to request the solitude that he thought he wanted, or to just go with what the camino was giving him that evening, to "go with the flow" as he put it. That is a difficult decision, to be sure. One must decide whose needs come first - one's own or someone else's, or let the universe decide.
Galicia is cloudy and cool and damp. Do I wear my fleece? I usually only need it for about an hour, (until the temperature rises or until I get to the top of the first hill), and then I have to carry it for the rest of the day. Another decision. Door number one: No fleece and take the chance of being cold for an hour, or Door number 2: Wear the fleece for an hour then carry it for 4 - 5 hours? I chose door number one. Turns out it was a good decision. It really wasn't all that cold, and the first hill came very quickly, after which I was good and warm.
Walking out of Sarria, the camino is now very crowded. It's almost impossible to walk without seeing or hearing people. It's an abrupt and uncomfortable change. It requires a conscious decision to be accepting of this new reality, frequently, throughout the day.
Around the time I was getting hungry for lunch, the camino provided me with a unique and fascinating experience. I came across what looked like the usual open air restaurant with tables and chairs, but this one had a buffet and a little box with the word "Donativo" on it. A elderly lady sat at the end of the table to assist and supervise. This place was serving lunch and you paid what you wished. They had everything one could want on this buffet. Thinly sliced Serrano ham, cubes of delicious cheese, bowls of olives, sliced sausages, cheese croquettes (something I order in the restaurants because they are so awesomely good), breads, French toast, fried egg sandwiches, chocolate crepes, fruit, hot and cold drinks. I decided without hesitation that this was the place that would make me happy. I made my donation and had the best lunch yet on the camino.
Shortly after lunch I passed a significant point today - the 100 km way marker. That means I am 100 km from my ultimate destination of Santiago de Compostela. I began in Roncesvalles at a distance of 790 km from Santiago de Compostela, and when I passed that way marker it meant I had walked 690 km. I have 5 walking days remaining. During those days I will complete the final 100 km and then return home. I have to begin deciding how I will translate the things I have learned here on the camino into my "real" life.
Pythagoras
Monday Sept 23, 2019
Sarria to Portomarin
24 km, 36,000 steps, walking day #33
I was talking to Paul from Ottawa at breakfast this morning. He had been based in Ottawa with the Canadian Armed Forces. He retired after 36 years of service. When you retire from the CAF, they will pay to settle you anywhere in Canada that you want. (I'm sure certain conditions apply but we didn't go into that). He said that after a career of having all the decisions made for him, making the decision about where to live was too difficult, so he stayed in Ottawa. (Please see blog from Aug 26th, 2019 entitled "Thoughts on Freedom" where I discuss that concept).
This squash vine decided to make a break for it...right over the garden wall.
After we talked, I thought about Martin from South Africa. After dinner in Fonfria he brought his guitar out into the sitting area and was playing quietly. I had brought my tablet out into the sitting area and was writing, and enjoying listening to him play. A woman came and began talking to Martin. She interrupted his playing with provocative, shallow and generally irksome talk. I watched him being polite but not thrilled. I soon tired of the scene and returned to my room. When I saw him at breakfast, I complimented him on how patient and tolerant he was with the woman. He replied that he would have preferred to remain alone, playing his guitar. I asked him why he didn't say so at the time. He said he had to decide whether to request the solitude that he thought he wanted, or to just go with what the camino was giving him that evening, to "go with the flow" as he put it. That is a difficult decision, to be sure. One must decide whose needs come first - one's own or someone else's, or let the universe decide.
"I'll keep some extra roofing slates" decided the farmer.
Galicia is cloudy and cool and damp. Do I wear my fleece? I usually only need it for about an hour, (until the temperature rises or until I get to the top of the first hill), and then I have to carry it for the rest of the day. Another decision. Door number one: No fleece and take the chance of being cold for an hour, or Door number 2: Wear the fleece for an hour then carry it for 4 - 5 hours? I chose door number one. Turns out it was a good decision. It really wasn't all that cold, and the first hill came very quickly, after which I was good and warm.
Cow pic of the day.
You can always sit and rest if you need more time to decide.
Around the time I was getting hungry for lunch, the camino provided me with a unique and fascinating experience. I came across what looked like the usual open air restaurant with tables and chairs, but this one had a buffet and a little box with the word "Donativo" on it. A elderly lady sat at the end of the table to assist and supervise. This place was serving lunch and you paid what you wished. They had everything one could want on this buffet. Thinly sliced Serrano ham, cubes of delicious cheese, bowls of olives, sliced sausages, cheese croquettes (something I order in the restaurants because they are so awesomely good), breads, French toast, fried egg sandwiches, chocolate crepes, fruit, hot and cold drinks. I decided without hesitation that this was the place that would make me happy. I made my donation and had the best lunch yet on the camino.
Easiest decision of the day!
Shortly after lunch I passed a significant point today - the 100 km way marker. That means I am 100 km from my ultimate destination of Santiago de Compostela. I began in Roncesvalles at a distance of 790 km from Santiago de Compostela, and when I passed that way marker it meant I had walked 690 km. I have 5 walking days remaining. During those days I will complete the final 100 km and then return home. I have to begin deciding how I will translate the things I have learned here on the camino into my "real" life.
The 100 km marker.
Cat pic of the day.
Even pilgrims must stop at train crossings!
No decision necessary.
So much humour and philosophy today—I can't stop thinking and laughing.
ReplyDelete"I have to begin deciding how I will translate the things I have learned here on the camino into my "real" life."
If anyone can do it, you can!
XO
Love the cow picture - if only for the buffet. I'm much closer to you physically now that I am in Lisbon, and wondering whether there are any cheese croquettes here.
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