Monday 17 September 2012

Buen Camino!



September 16: Sevilla to Guillena, 22km. Only 985 km to go!

The first time I went to Germany I could hardly wait to sneeze. Guzuenthiet! Instead, when I sneezed someone said 'bless you!'. Still nice but...

I've read about the tradition of people calling out 'Buen Camino' and could hardly wait for our first 'blessing' of our journey. It just wouldn't be the same if someone said 'have a good walk'.

We left Sevilla after visiting mass at the Giraldi Cathedral. Felt oddly symbolic that we stood at the back, outside the door, peering in, and then left after a few minutes.

We crossed the Triana bridge and made our way towards Camas when it happened. A man passing by waved and called 'Buen Camino'. I could have stopped walking right then!
After getting slightly lost In Camas, an elderly man set us in the right direction, where upon we got lost again. We were rescued by another elderly man, who then walked behind us for a few blocks. After correcting our direction once more he must have been satisfied that we would be okay (or maybe he thought we were hopeless?) and we were on our own.

Several times just when we were sure we were again lost we would see a yellow arrow, on a fence, a light pole, a large rock. A few more times as people would call out 'buen Camino' we would also know we were walking the right path.

As I walked along a dusty road in the intense heat, I found myself thinking about how, in life, we can make choices that we hope are right and signs will come that confirm or correct the path we have taken...counsel from a friend, teacher, family member or stranger, something you read. A feeling or intuition. Sometimes a yellow arrow.

Buen Camino! (Just have to do what we did today 40 to 50 more times).

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