Available shelter on trail

[christopher hewitt]

Good points Elyn.

For those that have been part of other discussion groups, and JD's in
particular, when we talk of the concept of "the correct way to walk, ride or
drive" the pilgrimage route(which doesn't need to be along any set path, as
all roads lead to Rome, Santiago and your front door), we are really only
talking about our own point of view. While many can agree that there are
some "must sees", "must does", "never does", etc, we all are part of a
common experience made unique by our approach to it, the pilgrimage, the
people we do or do not meet and all of our actual experiences, before, after
and during the pilgrimage.

I would not give up the experience of giggling at night in San Juan de
Ortega as many of us shared that giddy humor of several insistent snorers
taht also brought out the ire in others; nor would I want to erase the
memory of the man who woke me from my wonderful sleep in the doorway of a
church along the Via de la Plata in order to ask if I wanted something to
eat or some hot chocolate.

Michael is correct when stating that the pilgrimage is not meant to be a
simple camping trip, but nor should it be considered a route of expected
handouts or the need to sleep in designated areas. Be unique, or do what
everyone else does. It doesn't matter, follow your heart and your mind. Be
ready to change, and realize your actions and words will inevitably change
others as well.

Peace and smiles to all...

Christopher
>From: Elyn Aviva <TajminaaAOL.COM>
>Reply-To: Road to Santiago Pilgrimage <GOCAMINOapete.uri.edu>
>To: GOCAMINOapete.uri.edu
>Subject: Re: Available shelter on trail
>Date: Thu, 8 Feb 2001 11:02:35 EST
>
>I have fond recollections of several nights spent sleeping out under the
>stars (and, occasionally, under the rain!) when I walked the Camino in
>1982.
>Then, there were no refugios for pilgrims, and although sometimes the
>village
>mayor or priest would open up an outbuilding or empty school room for us,
>there were a few times when we had no option but to crawl into our sleeping
>bags under the Milky Way. There weren't many pilgrims on the Camino, then.
>I
>have the impression (feedback, anyone?) that now, with so many pilgrims, it
>would be disconcerting, and disruptive, for local people to have a lot of
>strangers camping in their fields.
>
>I also remember meeting a very well prepared French doctor, just back from
>serving the French Foreign Legion in Africa. He had everything he needed:
>camping gear, stove, etc. He interacted with almost no one.
>
>I don't know what Michael meant by saying the Camino wasn't a camping trip;
>perhaps he was indicating the importance of interacting with others in the
>experience of sharing shelter. During the Holy Year, a number of large
>tents
>were set up outside of some towns in order to house the overflow of
>pilgrims
>who needed shelter.
>
>I must admit that, for numerous reasons (no room in the shelters by the
>time
>we arrived, the desire for a private bathroom, the desire to sleep with my
>husband) we never slept in refugios. But we met many pilgrims, nonetheless.
>Maybe next time I'll be able to walk fast enough and start early enough
>that
>there will be an empty bed waiting when I arrive at the refugio!
>
>Buen Camino,
>Elyn

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