Post 9/11 comments

[Channing Thieme]

Thank you for taking the time and care to translate the 9/11 comments,
Rosina.

Here's one more.

As previously mentioned, Tony and I were also on the Camino on 9/11.  About
every fifth day we opted to stay at a hostel rather than the refugio.  It so
happened that as we walked across one of the plazas upon entering Astorga we
spotted the quaint Hotel Astur Plaza and impulsively decided to splurge for
the evening.  As it turned out, this was by far the finest accommodation of
our trip.  Walking through the lobby at 5:00 that afternoon we were hailed
by the receptionist who had set up a small TV behind her desk.  Our first
glance was the replay of the airplane hitting the second tower.  I asked
what movie she was watching?  Incredulous, we continued on to the market for
supplies as reality hit home: one of our sons, Trevor, lives twelve blocks
from the Trade Towers.

Rushing back to our room and turning on CNN (remarkably, this hotel had
cable) it was impossible to tell the extent of the damage in New York.  The
newscasters (incorrectly) said that all of lower Manhattan was being
evacuated and that all phone lines to the USA were down.  Crazy with worry
and not knowing what else to do, about every ten minutes I tried to dial our
daughter in Boston, knowing it was even more useless to call New York.
Miracles happen.  After about two hours the call went through.  All of the
family had communicated with one another; all were OK.  Trevor had watched
the towers collapse from the roof of his building.  I cannot express the
gratitude we felt and continue to feel that he was OK, magnifying our
compassion for those families who were not so fortunate.

We remained transfixed to the TV for the next two days.  Heavy hearted, as
we walked out of Astorga the third morning we dedicated our pilgrimage to
the victims.  The next two weeks were among the most meaningful days of our
lives.  Upon learning we were Americans people expressed their condolences
and support in a myriad of ways, which was incredibly touching.  It was a
time of deep reflection along with a heightened awareness over ... well,
over being alive, and the privilege of being there, witnessing the beauty of
the land and communing with fellow pilgrims from all over the world.  -And
yes, while neither of us are affiliated with a religion there was indeed the
acknowledgment and honor of the Camino's remarkable history and the
Christian traditions that continue to this day.