Where Yarmiks Roam: #2-Walking the Camino

Saturday, April 23, 2016

#2-Walking the Camino - April 23, 2016

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The Camimo de Santiago is also known as the Way of Saint James. The Spanish word camino can be translated as trail, path, or journey. More generally it implies "way" as when Jesus declares, "I am the way, the truth, and the life."

The "Way of Saint James" is more expansive than any geographic track; it invites walkers not merely to a physical path but to a way of life. The goal is not simply to arrive in Santiago de Compostela, but to be personally transformed and inspired.

Ideally one focuses on a theme to help you reflect on what you hope to find, experience, or achieve as you walk to Santiago. Think about the recent past and identify moments which were the most life giving and most challenging. Perhaps you are seeking healing, forgiveness, or an answer to prayer.

Maybe you're looking for direction or peace or equilibrium. If you're at a good place in life, perhaps your focus will be thankfulness. Cultural experience? An adventure? Whatever happens Dad and I will keep our eyes open and our senses alert for surprises. Challenges and inconveniences will be a vehicle for learning.

Saturday morning - wow, what a great night! Dad's head hit the pillow at 7:00 and he was gone. I stayed up until I published my first post at 9:00 and then I said to myself, "no jet lag sleeplessness tonight!" It worked!

In the morning we really had nothing to do until our train departed at noon.

So we found a patissier and bought some yummy things for lunch - we followed Warren's admonishment to get something frenchish.

Between our hotel's street and the train station there is a canal. We walked up and down both sides. If one fell into the canal, it would be certain death by pollution

Finally!! It was time to get the train. Dad waited patiently while I wandered around.

Train ride to Bayonne was uneventful and flat

There was a nifty town square with many Linden trees ( now dad says he isn't sure they are linden trees after all) that had been severely pruned. In summer it will be a very shady place.

We bought some more French food for dinner and tomorrow's lunch and FINALLY the train arrived for our last leg to St Jean. It was a little short train with two cars that is basically a milk run up to St Jean. A bunch of other peligrinos (people dressed like us with backpacks) also got on the trai

Countryside is beautiful. Looks like you're driving up the Clackamas

But the buildings look like we're in Switzerland with a smattering of Scottish sheep

We are in St Jean. It is cuter than cute. Natalie and Camille would be twirling and singing in the street.... Yes, think of Sound of Music. And Saltzburg!