Last night in Ventosa, Kristina, Mary from Ireland, and I went to dinner. The menu del dia was pretty typical except honey was part of all the sauces and dressings. Salad with honey, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar! Yum! Baked cod with a tomato sauce, garlic and honey. And helado w honey drizzled over it! There is a local honey farm that supports this cafe, obviously. It was so good. And during dinner my friend Angie from Wisconsin, from the first 2 days on Camino, walked in! Of course we invited her to eat with us. It was lovely to see one of the original pilgrim friends. She was doing well and we all had a great conversation over good food.
Mary from Ireland had some funny quips passed on from her grandmother. One was -“God draws a straight line with a crooked pen.” Meaning God somehow works things out but never in the expected way or timing. So true.
We all talked about the struggle on Camino to make it about getting in so many miles each day to make it to the end by a certain day. Which is all self-imposed strain. This seems to be the common thread among pilgrims. Everyone starts off on a mission to do so many miles every day and make it to the next town by a certain time. Then after a while, we realize it’s not about that, and we are missing the whole experience and killing ourselves for nothing. And we miss out on the joys of the Camino. You know “Camino” means “way.” It’s called the Way of St. James. Not the end destination of St. James. Sort of like Jesus said “I am the way.” So many Christians get so focused on getting to heaven that they lose sight of the actual way. They forget it’s about how we live not where we go when we die.
Anywhoo – simple insights from the Camino.
Speaking of enjoying the journey, today I did just that. I sang to myself, talked to God, took lots of pictures, met lots of people, soaked my feet in the river, and took a tour of a 16th century Monastery.
But my day could have started off badly. I walked out of the alburgue this morning without my poles. (Kathy Pena’s poles, thanks Kathy). And the door locked behind me. So after trying to reach someone, with no luck, I walked to the cafe for tea con leche. The man working there was very kind and we had good conversation. He is a third generation bee keeper and maker of all the honey from our dinner last night. Well he doesn’t make it but you know what I mean. So we visited about his hives -over 1400- all over Spain and he let me sample all of the regional Honeys. And when I asked for an avocado he had me drizzle honey over it as well. Amazing.
Alvaro the beekeeper was so passionate about his bees. He got teary eyed talking about it. And he happened to be close friends with the owner of the alburgue, so he called and I got to get back in and get my poles. It was an extra hour in town, but worth every minute. That’s how the Camino is. You just take it as it comes and it all seems to work out. Can life be like that? Can we live in such a away that an extra hour of killing time becomes a blessing and a new friend? Can we pass a river and stop to stick our feet in? Can we introduce ourselves to complete strangers and ask them a little of their story? And listen w genuine interest?
Food for thought.
Tonight I am in Azofra, a small town of less than 800. I met some new friends who are also here tonight so it should be a good evening.
And even when it’s bad on Camino, it turns out good. Buen Camino
Thank you for this journey. I look forward to your posts everyday.
Tina- you are on my mind and in my prayers so often. Thank you for sharing your insights and contemplations, as well as, the stories of your journey. I really loved what you said today about taking it as it comes. When I started in ministry, someone told me that “every interruption is an opportunity.” Not exactly the same thing but in the ballpark. I pray that you continue to be able to take it as it comes. Also, I would like to send you a pdf of something I read this week. It has been my prayer for you since I read it. Let me know if there is a way to send you a pdf. Love and hugs friend!
That is so true Kim. Thanks. And you can email it or text it to me I’ll receive when I’m wifi. Love you.
Just a big thank you for allowing me to part of your journey. Your stories and insights are awesome.
Trek On,
Donnie
Love this! So many good questions to ponder. As my daddy says, “Slow down, the rat race is over. The rats won.” LOL
Lots of wisdom in your comments today! Thanks for the insights!
So, so enjoying your travels. My husband, Stephen, is reading your journey writing to his 96 yr old mother, Nell Benold, in her room at The Wesleyan assisted living. Brightens their daily visits. Takes her out of her depressed mental state just for a little while. Thank you!
Thanks for sharing! That makes me so happy!
I was so delighted to read today’s post. Food for thought, indeed. I truly believe that taking the time to be fully present, no matter what obstacles life puts into our path, is the “honey” that adds sweetness to our journeys. Praying for you every step of the way.
I really enjoyed this post – the honey, the friends, the crooked pen, the lost poles but the insights most of all. When a friend was going through a cancer battle she knew she would not win she said to me “No missed opportunities” and she lived the next year and a half that way. As a woman of deep faith that meant something very different than it might have meant to someone without that faith. She was not chasing experiences, as some terminal patients do, but instead was looking for opportunities for deeper connections with her God and the ones she loved. And for those who loved her she made a difference in that time in so many meaningful ways. She changed me. So thanks for the reminder to slow down so as not to miss an opportunity, even with a stranger, to make a meaningful connection. Prayers for seeing every opportunity God presents along your Way.