Walking and Thinking

So, we're on the Camino de Santiago, the Way of Saint James, le Chemin st. Jacques.  A path known by many names, and travelled by many people.

Ostensibly, this is a pilgrimage - a word that has evolved beyond the traditional religious meaning.  It is thirty days of walking westward towards the supposed remains of St. James, of apolstelistic fame.

So what is a pilgrimage but a chance to think, ponder and reflect.  For anyone thinking of undertaking this pilgrimage, here are a few handy subjects for your mind to dwell on while you are walking:

- why didn't I spring for the super light-weight sleeping bag

- how did that part of my foot get a blister

- who decided the path should go directly up this hill, can't we just go around

- why is down so much easier than up

- who is this god person, anyway

- did I really need three pairs of underwear?  Wouldn't my pack be lighter if I only brought two?  And would my wife mind the inevitable smell?

- am I on the right path (both in life, and towards Santiago de Compostela)

- would I reach spiritual enlightenment faster if I paid someone 8 euros per day to drive it to the next village

...and so on.  Of course, the answers to all of these questions are in many ways beyond the scope of average human comprehension, but I intent to discover them by day 6 (just finished day 4 now).  Once these are checked off, I'll start to ponder the meaning of life and all of existence stuff.  One thing at a time.

D.