Last month was my birthday. My family has always been the best at birthday parties; I had a party just about every year until I was 19. There was always a piñata, a large, yummy birthday cake, and, until I was 12, a bright, frilly dress. Number 20 was my first birthday away from my family; thankfully, I had great college friends to celebrate with and one in particular invited me to his home where his mom was nice enough to make me dinner and even a birthday cake. Since then I have celebrated away from home (Dallas) but I’ve been blessed with amazing family and friends that have made each one special. What about 29? I celebrated 29 by chasing yellow arrows for 29 km! That’s right; I laced up my hiking boots and set off on the Camino de Santiago.
I have been itching to retake the Camino since my first go around in September. So, after some debate about travel plans for my birthday, I decided to dig out my backpack and sleeping bag and just walk. Spring is a peaceful time on the Camino; the albergues are just reopening, and pilgrims are few and far between. For the first two days, I walked alone with my thoughts and enjoyed retesting my limits. In the quiet hours I was just content with reaching the next yellow arrow guiding me toward my destination. (I might have gotten lost a time or two, but it was part of the adventure.) On day three, curiosity got the best of me and I introduced myself to two guys I’d heard talking the day before and whose speech pattern sounded very familiar. They turned out to be from Monterrey, Mexico and we ended up walking at the same pace for the next two days. We chatted, laughed, joked around and even enjoyed walking along in silence. It was easy to bond over our shared culture and current adventure. I never felt that I had to keep up with their pace and I’d like to say that they didn’t feel like they were slowing down for me. Those two days passed quickly and also felt very long.
I parted ways with my new friends on day four when I decided to stay at the monastery in San Juan de Ortega to witness the “miracle of the light”. The 12th century chapel of the monastery was constructed in such a way that at the spring and autumn equinox the rays of the setting sun strike a pillar illuminating the Annunciation scene. I’d read about this event in a historical fiction book and, after a Spanish friend confirmed its existence and that that he’d witnessed it, I knew I had to be there on March 21. Unfortunately, the cloudy weather did not cooperate but I did get to see a small glow on the pillar and enjoy a quiet, unique stay in a monastery. That evening, I met a kind, older gentleman who was also there to see the phenomenon and ending this juncture of the trip the following day. I got a lot of great advice and tips about the Camino and, after our paths crossed again the next morning, we walked together while talking about the Catholic Church and its history in Spain (he was a seminarian in his youth). We were so caught up in the conversation that we missed a marker on the road and ended up taking the long route to Burgos. It was a stressful and challenging adventure for the two of us and we were beyond grateful to reach the end of our journey.
I returned to Logroño a little sadder, knowing it would be a while before I would reach Santiago. Yet the Camino reminds me that new friends, challenges and adventures are always near. So what do I want for this next year? Like on this five day birthday adventure, I want to find something to smile about each day, I want to pray more often, and be socially adventurous (I have the travel part down). I also want to love who I am, flaws and all. The Camino reminds me that we are all stronger than we think and that a smile can make everything better. 29 started out great; let’s finish it with even greater challenges!
Gabi's Footprints 