Camino Poem Anonymous

Although I may have travelled all the roads, 

crossed mountains and valleys from East to West, 

if I have not discovered the freedom to be myself, 

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 albergue with saints and princes,

if I am not capable of forgiving my neighbour,

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 shower every night;

or may have had my injuries well attended,

if I have not discovered in all that the love of God,

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 tried the 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 on your path,

searching for 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;

if from today I cannot recognize God,

as the one God of my life,

I have arrived nowhere.

Fresco Camino Day 10

We started the day greeted by playful dogs of the manor who entertained us with their antics.  We are excited because today we will reach Santiago! It’s only a 6.4 mile walk from where we left off yesterday but we’ll add more miles wandering around and sightseeing. There was a long incline up from Lavacolla 5 km to Monte de Gozo where we had our first view of the cathedral in the distance. Then we descended into Santiago to see main square and take photos in front of the cathedral. We started at 9:00 and arrived at Porto do Camino. Our guide Cesar collected our credentials and will apply for our Compostela for us. In the afternoon had free time and siesta until dinner at 8:30. Some in our group are leaving for other parts of Europe tonight and a few, like us, are staying an extra day to see Finisterre and Muxia. Since leaving Sarria on September 1, we walked 92.4 miles (148 km), but counting the walking we did in and out of León, we reached 100 miles today! For me it’s a a once in a lifetime achievement. I feel more connected to humanity and our common desire to meet God along the way, to share the struggles and rejoice when we help one another overcome whatever obstacles come along. Bob and Mary and Chang and I all arrived with smiles and thanksgiving. Tomorrow we will tour the Cathedral, visit the crypt of Saint James to leave our petitions, and attend the Pilgrim’s Mass. 

Fresco Camino Day 9

We are beginning to feel the end of the journey coming soon. We loved the manor house where we stayed three nights and are looking forward to seeing another restored Galician manor this evening. After taking a nighttime cold capsule before bed I slept through the night for a whole eight hours for the first time since we arrive in Spain. Previous nights I have been sleeping 4-5 hours. The cold is still lingering, but I do feel much better. Cesar fixed the bandages on my feet, and we started off on the journey to Santa Irene. The way was relatively easy compared to the first half of the journey from Sarria. The views were beautiful and I took time to pray along the way for our guides, Ana and Cesar, and our driver Danny and their families. They have been such a good team, with complementary personalities, good humored and so knowledgeable about the history and the flora and fauna of the area. I saw two deer near O Pino, but there were not so many animal farms as yesterday. We criss crossed some main highways, going underneath or over. We passed by Santiago airport shortly after the 15 km marker. We are so close already! We arrived at the end about 1:30 and had our picnic in a park beside the river Ulla. After lunch we walked over a swinging bridge and along the river to see sequoia trees and eucalyptus that reminded us of home. Then Danny drove us to the manor house, Pazo Cibran, where we will have dinner and spend the night.