Day 16: Hotel Paris in Leon (Rest)
Elma Fakt 9: Be still and be present to the needs of those around you.
Woke up to the news from home that Casper has died. How strange, I had a dream last night that he was dying but it was Mike who was away from home and I was willing him to hang in until Mike came back. I was in a dormitory with perhaps 50 others - all bussling to get going for the day - and no one except a French lady noticed that I was crying - she asked if I was OK. It was so kind that someone cared enough to notice. It made me realise that even here where one would assume there is a spiritual or religious motive for walking for some, almost everyone this morning was so wrapped up in leaving on their own journey that no one notices anyone else. A lady yesterday even took a blanket from my bed when I was out of the room. Her need was greater then mine apparently. I left the Alburgue and luckily the hotel I am staying at, let me have a room straight away. I really need the space on my own to accept the news. In a way there is a certain symmetry to events. June, the Korean student I walked with a few days ago said to me that he was told that the Camino is three walks: the first stage walking to Burgos is physical, the second stage to Leon is mental and the last stage to Santiago is spiritual.
So far that is so true for the first two stages for me. I am looking forward to new beginnings of life without Casper and the third stage of walking - which is just over 300 km to Santiago.
Woke up to the news from home that Casper has died. How strange, I had a dream last night that he was dying but it was Mike who was away from home and I was willing him to hang in until Mike came back. I was in a dormitory with perhaps 50 others - all bussling to get going for the day - and no one except a French lady noticed that I was crying - she asked if I was OK. It was so kind that someone cared enough to notice. It made me realise that even here where one would assume there is a spiritual or religious motive for walking for some, almost everyone this morning was so wrapped up in leaving on their own journey that no one notices anyone else. A lady yesterday even took a blanket from my bed when I was out of the room. Her need was greater then mine apparently. I left the Alburgue and luckily the hotel I am staying at, let me have a room straight away. I really need the space on my own to accept the news. In a way there is a certain symmetry to events. June, the Korean student I walked with a few days ago said to me that he was told that the Camino is three walks: the first stage walking to Burgos is physical, the second stage to Leon is mental and the last stage to Santiago is spiritual.
So far that is so true for the first two stages for me. I am looking forward to new beginnings of life without Casper and the third stage of walking - which is just over 300 km to Santiago. 
4 comments:
Hey Elma
Sorry for the sad news from home.
On a happy note, congratuations on the marathon time.
Paris is wonderful qui?
Enjoy the trail.
Damo
Hay Damo
Thanks for the note. Even though it was expected it still is so sad as he was such a big part of my life after cancer. Will make the most of the remaining 300km of walking.
Thinking of you and Mike and your loss of Casper. It's sometimes hard to explain to others the sadness and emptiness that loosing a pet can produce. Really enjoying your posts. Makes me feel like I need an inspirational journey too. I quit Coogee after 14yrs - it was bought out by the corporates - and that's not how I practice. This may be the start of a new adventure.
Love Caryn
Hi Wunsey
Thanks for your kind thoughts and understanding. There is no point in staying in a job that is not consistent with your values. Great courage to make the jump. Good luck with your own excellent adventure.
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