My Camino

[Sue Kenney]

To everyone,

On December 12th, I returned from Spain having completed the Camino on
December 6, 2001. It is only now that I have been able to catch up on
all the emails that came in while I was away and compose a note to
announce my return and gratitude. Thanks to everyone for all the words
of advise, history and encouragement. There were many walking tips and
stories I told to other pilgrims on the Camino that I learned through
this group. Upon my return the emails have been so comforting to me as I
know understand where you have been.

My Camino was a blessed experience. One that will be with me for the
rest of my life. Truly I didn't understand what it meant to be a pilgrim
until I got to the first large city, Logrono. I was leaving a panaderia,
having just bought my bread for  the day and turned to walk down the
street. I was stopped in my tracks because there was a woman standing in
front of me, wearing all black, waiting to make eye contact with me.
Once I had stopped walking, she continued to look at me, then she
blessed herself, kissed her hand and nodded her head to me with the
reverence you would bless yourself in front of an altar. That was my
introduction to the honor of being a pilgrim and I was humbled.

For those of you interested in the weather, I  experienced every type of
weather imaginable. My journey began in St Jean on November 7. I arrived
in Roncesvalles in good condition by 5:30PM that evening. Went to the
Pilgrims blessing and had dinner. The next morning we woke up to 20 cms
of snow! From there we had hail, wind, fog, rain, sleet for the first 2
weeks. Then the weather was sunny each day for most of the trek.
Fortunately, very little rain. It took me 29 days to complete the
journey to Santiago.

Many of the refugios were open although very few had heating and at
night the temperature dropped below 0 degrees. Most had hot water, but
it was so cold when you got out of the shower that it wasn't that
enjoyable. Some of the refugios post a list of the refugios that are
open or sometimes we would just ask at the bar in the villages. There
were very few pilgrims maybe an average of 4-8 a night. Some nights
there were only one or two others. One night I slept alone. Most days I
walked alone by choice and met up with other pilgrims at the bar for
coffee or at the refugio.

At one of the monestaries in Leon, the Mother Superior gave the pilgrims
blessing. Before we left the Chapel she told us that we all have a light
and once we completed the Camino, that light would be brighter than most
other people. She told us that when we go back home, that we should
share this bright light with others. It wasn't until I got home that I
realized what she meant. I am trying to live that request each day.

Cebreiro was very special for me. Before I left for the Camino, I had
read about the miracle on the mountain. Everyday as I walked, I thought
about reaching Cebreiro. It gave me the motivation to keep going, even
when it seemed I couldn't walk any further as I had a serious knee
injury. I knew there was something special about Cebreiro and I was
right. I met a wonderful man the evening before I was to climb the
mountain and walked with him all the way to Santiago. But more
importantly, my personal journey was about spending the time with myself
to truly understand and experience self love. Each day I dedicated time
to learning how to love myself, something I have not been able to master
thus far in my lifetime. Cebreiro is a truly mystical mountain. It was
on Cebreiro that I experienced absolute love.

Since returning,  I have had some frustration as I try to communicate
what I have experienced to people. I am integrating "my Camino" into
this world but it has not been easy. It's difficult to contain my
passion and enthusiasm. I kept a detailed diary of my journey and
although I am not a writer by trade, I am considering writing a book. I
am taking a creative writing course at a local university starting next
week, and please, I welcome any advise!

I hope to be in Vermont in March to meet other past and future pilgrims.
If anyone has any questions they would like to ask me, please don't
hesitate to drop me a line.

Thanks again for the sharing of stories and all the information
provided. Happy New Year to all.

Sue
"the Canadian peregrina"