If I could have a penny for everytime I tossed & turned last night, summoning sleep, I would have the money to go back to Spain.
Despite of no sleep, I wasn’t grumpy today, I got to work early & completed my tasks without feeling sleepy. I hope I could keep this joy in whatever situation I am in.
At the 20th kilometer of each day during the pilgrimage, I ran to relax my muscles. I sprint. I’m used to running & walking just uses different muscles, several times I cringed of pain, running with the back pack gave me relief. That’s unconvential and that’s who I am. I unconventionally strived over all oppressions to go to the pilgrimage.
I coped by chatting with co-pilgrims, singing & running. I had blisters but I kept on walking. One foot over the other, one step at a time, one destination per day. My bag is quite heavy for me and everyday, a co-pilgrim presents himself like simon of cyrean, helping me to carry my burden until I got used to the weight of the back pack. Then a new blister pops up, making it very painful to step on but stepping forward’s the only thing as well that makes it easier.
There’s genuiness in the conversations. Its so beautiful & authentic to see the heart of strangers revealed to me with the countryside of Spain as the back drop. Until we didn’t realize that we were enjoying the walk so much we didn’t want the pilgrimage to end.
I adored the fact that one doesn’t need any vanity or to pretend to be somebody else in the pilgrimage, and to like each other in that nakedness brings so much peace and inner joy. We all got what we needed in a back pack. We were walking with Christ and with each other, simple yet utter happiness.
Why would anyone want to endure such pain? I did ask that question especially when we were climbing hills. It was only answered after 3 days when I learned a few things about myself, my faith, my God and the angels, my co-pilgrims. It was a break from the comfortable, experienced the way of the Saints when they where Evangelizing, experienced for myself another kind of surrender where in I just lived for that day and didn’t have to worry about tomorrow but only relied on prayers.
It was such a good feeling to be cared for amidst us being strangers. I felt genuiness in every question, every conversation, every laughter, hug and tease. There were many moments for prayer, for reflection and for sharing and I’ll talk more about the many wonderful things I’ve realized and learned tomorrow.
Ciao.
