Lessons from the Camino

After an indulgent night in my own room without a bunkmate or anyone to share a bathroom with, I left Cacabelos well rested and refreshed: clean clothes, clear head, full belly. Since I hadn't stayed at the albergue de los peregrinos, finding my way out of town and back to the camino was a bit tricky. But, after asking for directions 3+ times and wandering around, I stumbled upon one of the symbols I have come to know and love: una flecha amarilla (a yellow arrow).


I thought that walking the camino was going to be going to be a giant metaphor for me laboring to find inner peace with this stage of uncertainty in my life and (hopefully) finding a way through it. In reality, there is also quite a bit of me literally trying to find my way. Especially in the larger cities like Leon and Ponsferrada, it's easy to lose sight of the comforting signs and symbols that you are on the right path: yellow arrows, conch shells, or more explicitly, signs that say "El Camino de Santiago" in bright, bold print. The more distractions, the more options, the easier it is to lose your way. Hmm...I guess the metaphor holds anyway--it just takes on another layer.

That's the beauty of this journey on the camino, everything is a life lesson.
*The less you carry, the easier the journey. 
*Work hard today and you can rest tomorrow.
*The early bird catches the worm (and avoids the sweltering heat!).
*Be kind and helpful to others, and that same kindness will likely be returned to you.
*When in Rome (or in this case, Spain) do as the Romans (Spaniards) do--don't let fear or elitism cause you to miss out on an enriching experience.
*Help make things easier for those who will come after you, just as those who came before you did for you. The arrows fashioned from rocks that are left in dubious spots by previous peregrinos help me avoid wasting precious time and energy on a misleading, false pathway.

Many more lessons are sure to be revealed... This is only my 6th day, afterall!

One revelation stands out above anything else for me though: I am stronger than I think I am. This has become my mantra when I feel like quitting...because it's true.  

My skin is a bit bronzer (despite ample SPF 70, I promise dad!), waist a bit thinner (despite the cerveza, bocadillos, and helado), and perspective a bit shifted. There is so much more to life than the rat race to "succeed" by American standards. I will always be an American girl, but I hope to carry some of the European outlook on life back home with me to the States. 

Wishing each of you wellness,
Kelsey