Camino Gratitude

At dinner last night, there were 12 pilgrims from 10 countries across Asia and Europe. 8 of them were story tellers, each waiting politely for a turn to speak. There seemed to be a “funniest story” competition, as we ate in the albergue, thousands of miles from home. Once a story finished, laughter ensued and within seconds a new story began. – the wine was flowing!

Four recent college graduates (2 from Berkley, Kansas, and Portland University) are walking across Spain searching for their next stage in life. These women won’t make albergue reservations in advance, choosing to wait until they arrive into town to seek lodging. I am the opposite having albergue reservations a few nights in advance. I resist a father’s instinct to suggest booking.com to reserve a room. They seemed free, fearless with belief in the goodness of others, living freely on the Camino – living the better Camino life!

Everyone walking the Camino has a story to share, an experience they want to give, waiting for someone to listen. I wonder if there are enough listeners in the world? Many pilgrims seem to step out of the closed “I,” surrendering to communion with other pilgrims. They strip themselves of what is merely our own, with an acceptance of the other. We walk and live in communion with each other, pilgrims of all conditions, cultures, and races.