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I only got four hours of sleep last night, probably due to feeling a little excited and anxious about the journey. I had everything ready to go, having spent much time packing and unpacking, deciding what to take and what to leave behind. I remembered that on my first trip in 2001, with no idea what to expect, how much I over-packed trying to anticipate every need along the way. This time I am carrying a scant 20 pounds - thanks to experience and modern technology. However, the emotional baggage I carry this time is much heavier than it was in 2001. There’s a saying that on the Camino, everyone suffers - some physically and some emotionally. Although, I can’t anticipate what physical difficulties may lay ahead, I already sense the emotional ambushes that will happen along the way.
In 2001, I walked the Camino with my good friend Darren from England and my brother in law, Demetri. Last year, Demetri tragically took his own life, suffering from severe depression and bipolar. I know that I will feel him with me as I walk and there will be many places along the way that bring back memories of our times
together. I know I will feel a tremendous sense of sadness and loss and it will provide pause for me to think about his life and how much he is missed by those of us who loved him. In the past I have felt guilt for not doing more to help him, but I know that in the end, it was the disease that took him and I pray that he finally has the sense of peace that he never had in life.
In the shuttle to Denver airport, I met some very nice people. One gentleman was French and returning home to Bordeaux, another was traveling to Montpelier, France on business, and a friendly woman was headed to Boston for work and family. We had a great conversation about international travel, work, play, family and everything in between. I thought about how I normally avoid such conversations with strangers. What was different about today? That is the magic of the Camino - no matter where you start on its path - you are transformed into an observer of life and a desire to connect with others on a very human level on your journey. I think about all
of the lost opportunities in making similar connections in everyday life - how many people I have passed by - lost in my own ego and self-thought. Will I be able to carry over this magic when my Spanish pilgrimage ends?
I was a little apprehensive when I boarded the flight to Philly because I was one of the last to board on what was a very full flight. I worried whether or not my backpack would fit in the overhead compartment and I dreaded the thought of having to check it, having heard of too many being lost at the destination. I asked the flight attendant upon boarding what he thought my chances were of finding a space for my very long bag, and he indicated that it was no problem at all, pointing to the empty overhead bin which just so happened to be right over my seat. Saint Nicolas, patron saint of travelers was watching over me!
When I arrived in Philly and got to the gate for my departing flight for Barcelona, I thought it a good idea to check and see if any emergency exit row seats were available. There were two young
men ahead of me who looked like they were going to backpack through Europe and it took an inordinate amount of time to help them with their problem, which what I could gain from the conversation involved them getting bumped from my flight. When I finally got up at the counter, I found out that their issue was also mine - the plane to Barcelona had been downsized and thirty seats were lost in the process - mine being one of the thirty. I thought of throwing a hysterical, “how dare you” fit, but a calming voice told me to see it as what was meant to be. The very apologetic representative explained how he would reroute me through Madrid to Barcelona and I would get there three hours later than my intended time but the airline would compensate me with a $575.00 travel voucher good towards the purchase of a future ticket. The only catch was that I had to use Iberia Airlines from Madrid to Barcelona and would have to wait till I got there to get a boarding pass.
As I waited at the gate for the flight to Madrid, I thought of how to make
lemonade out of the situation, thinking that maybe I could take a train from Madrid to Pamplona instead of Barcelona to Pamplona. Suddenly it dawned on me that maybe Iberia flew to Pamplona, which was confirmed at the counter. I asked the agent that since I got bumped and was going to miss my train to Pamplona, whether I could fly there instead of to Barcelona. Many clicks of the computer keyboard later and I had a boarding pass from Madrid to Pamplona, arriving at 3PM. This was absolutely perfect! It avoided me having to take a train and also having to stay the night in Pamplona. My original itinerary got me to Pamplona too late to catch the bus that I needed to St, Jean Pied de Port, and now I would be able to catch that bus. I have old Saint Nic to thank for that one too! The magic of the Camino was just beginning.
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Bia
non-member comment
I guess it will be a busy month for Saint Nicolas...