Trekking Poles vs. Pilgrim Staff

[Rosina Lila]

To walk the Camino in 2000 I purchased a high-tech pole in New York which
retracted, had changeable tips for traction or impetus, changeable rubber or
felt hand grips, etc., and it was jazzy looking.  Because of its attributes
it had been quite expensive.
Walking around at SJPP one of the walking sticks being sold in the street,
for about $5, beckoned to me.  It is a long knobby number with a little
leather strap hanging from its holding head, and carved, to my distress, with
the name of the town and (sigh!) flowers and things.
I discarded the galactic pole and went up and down the Pyrenees and all the
way to Santiago with the SJPP walking stick which kept me from falling down
rocky paths, sliding down muddy trails (it rained a lot in Galicia), and
propelled me up hills and mountains.
When I arrived in Santiago, almost six weeks later, for reasons unknown to me
I felt the need to leave my hat, my shoes, and everything that could
practically come off, right in the crypt where the Apostle is buried.
Later, I gave away my backpack in Santiago as well as all other pilgrim
accouterments, ...but not my SJPP walking stick.  Last year it went back to
Santiago in pilgrimage with me, and if I can manage to go this year it will
accompany me once more.
Although it is about 4 feet long and it has a metal tip I  have not had any
problems taking it into the passenger cabin of the airplane. It could be that
this year, post 9/11/01, some more stringent restrictions will be in place,
but somehow or another it will surely go with me.
Meanwhile, the walking stick is a dear and prized possession.  It hangs from
a bookcase hook in my bedroom and when I am tired, or overwhelmed, or plain
out of sorts, I look at it to remember that there are other, happier, more
beautiful and better times, just out there.......in the Camino.
Rosina